Who benefits? 

Beyond the immediate circle of IPGRI's partners lies the broader circle of people who benefit from the Institute's work. 

IPGRI's ultimate beneficiaries are the farmers, forest dwellers and other members of the rural community in developing countries. The people who support these primary producers and processors form a group of intermediate beneficiaries. This group includes plant breeders and other scientists in the public and private formal research sectors, and development workers in both the government and non-government sectors. Lastly, urban consumers benefit when IPGRI's work leads to the increased production and diversity of food and other commodities or to lower prices.

Because IPGRI has a global mandate, its beneficiaries know no geographical limits. However, the Institute's ultimate goal is to contribute to improving the lives of the poorest producers and consumers in developing countries.

Partnerships

Many different kinds of institutions are concerned with plant genetic resources. IPGRI seeks to achieve its objectives by working in partnership with these institutions. Such collaboration increases the effectiveness of its work. The Institute works particularly closely with:

• National genebanks and research institutions
  These institutions are at the core of national systems. They bear the primary responsibility for conserving and using plant genetic resources at the country level. IPGRI works in partnership with them on all aspects of plant genetic resources. Strengthening their activities, particularly through capacity-building, is central to IPGRI's work.
  

• Other national public-sector institutions
  Government ministries, seed multiplication and extension services, universities, botanical gardens and policy-making bodies have activities relevant to national genetic resources work. IPGRI works to involve them in the conservation effort, as well as forging and sustaining links among them.
  

• Advanced research institutes
  These institutes, in both developing and developed countries, have special expertise and IPGRI works with them on particular research topics, with the aim of transferring the results to other partners, especially those in developing countries.
  

• Farmers and forest dwellers
  These groups are important custodians and users of plant genetic resources. They are IPGRI's partners in the development of management systems that maintain or enhance diversity while meeting production or other objectives.
  

• Non-government organizations
  Many NGOs are active locally and internationally in the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. IPGRI works with them to conduct locally based research and to raise awareness and build the necessary consensus for action.
  

• Private-sector companies
  Many private-sector companies are expanding their activities in such areas as biotechnology research, varietal development and the supply of planting materials to farmers. IPGRI is strengthening its links with the private sector in areas of mutual interest.
  

• The CGIAR
  IPGRI's sibling centres in the CGIAR system hold important collections of genetic resources in trust for the world community, and work on their conservation and use. IPGRI collaborates in this research and also in the centres' training activities. In addition, it provides advice and information on the policy and legal aspects of genetic resources, both to individual centres and to the system as a whole. Through its role in the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP), IPGRI has a special responsibility for promoting and coordinating collaborative activities in the CGIAR.
  

• Other international institutions
  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a major partner for IPGRI in many aspects of the Institute's work. IPGRI also collaborates with several other UN bodies.
  

• Donors
  The donor and development agencies that support IPGRI are important in shaping the Institute's programme. IPGRI works with its donors to identify priorities and to develop and implement projects.

 How IPGRI operates : The value of partnership 

Our impact

Revised on January 16, 2006 .
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