© IPGRI-AMS

Network coordinators

The benefits of collaborating on genetic resources conservation and use have brought many countries together in partnership over the years. IPGRI has worked worldwide to develop networks that link the plant genetic resources activities of national programmes, research institutes and others. In partnership with IICA, CATIE and CARDI, IPGRI has worked for nearly a decade to stimulate the development of six plant genetic resources networks in the Americas region (see box) and foster a sense of ownership of the networks among member countries.

Networks are built on common interests. Members might share an interest in the genetic diversity of a particular crop, or they might share agroecological conditions and an interest in a range of crops or a mutual research topic. Networks provide a way for members to communicate resources, ideas, technologies and information among themselves efficiently and cost-effectively. They have become an efficient way for countries to share the responsibilities and costs of training, conservation and technology development, and to promote the establishment of joint conservation strategies based on common affinities.