National PGR programmes (NPs) have always been recognized as the building blocks
of a global PGR system. Efforts by IPGRI-APO aim to strengthen NP capabilities
through a number of activities. IPGRI has been working in the APO region from
its very first involvement to build up national programmes in each country.
There have been many successes, most notably in China, India, Japan and
Malaysia, but some countries still lack the necessary financial resources,
coordination and staffing to establish a discrete programme and collaborate
within the region. APO staff are concentrating on the countries with the least
developed programmes, particularly in the Pacific area, to develop essential
skills such as management and planning, build self reliance through training of
staff and providing technical assistance and direct funding.
Staff visits and advice
National PGR workshops
Emergency collecting, characterization and evaluation
InfoBase development
Human resource development
IPGRI has found that the visits to national programmes by APO staff provide
an excellent opportunity to assess the PGR conservation and use status and to
provide necessary advice and information. During such visits, assistance is also
given to NPs in preparing proposals for funding that help strengthen NPs.
National PGR workshops have proven to be of great value in promoting
conservation and use in a country. Prior to the workshops, focal points in the
country are identified and assistance provided to them by IPGRI to organize the
workshop, involving as many organizations that have a stake in the nation's PGR
as possible. Although IPGRI does not support routine collecting,
characterization and evaluation, in case of emergencies, when there is a need
for providing such support, efforts are made to generate funds for such priority
actions. Additionally, some donors may provide funds specifically for collecting
and evaluation. Growing out of the IPGRI activity on identifying national
options for PGR programmes is the need for ready access to information by NPs.
Based on the expressed need, as well as recommendation of regional networks, a
web-based information source is under development.
Staff visits and advice
Some examples
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Bangladesh: Efforts to develop a research
proposal for in vitro lab and on molecular characterisation in Bangladesh
were assisted.
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Bhutan: Helped to identify priorities and
to initiate PGR activities and planning for a nation level meeting on
PGR.
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Myanmar: Provided general advice on PGR
management and plans for a national meeting, jointly with Japan were
discussed. · Maldives: Impressed on the need to identify a country PGR
coordinator.
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Vietnam: The direction of in situ
conservation was determined ·
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Assistance provided to several NPs in
developing Web pages.
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National PGR workshops
Some examples:
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Lao PDR National PGR workshop in 1993.
Reference: National Agricultural Research Centre. 1993. Proceedings of the
First National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources, NARC, 5-9 April 1993.
NARC, Vientiane. 110p.
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Vietnam, in collaboration with and support from IDRC,
defining a national PGR programme and establishment of a national PGR
committee.
Reference: Nghia, N., N.D. Khoi, T.D. Long, D.Q. Anh, K.W. Riley, V.
Ramanatha Rao, and P. Quek (editors). 1995. Plant Genetic Resources in
Vietnam. Proceedings of the National Workshop on Strengthening of Plant
Genetic Resources Programme in Vietnam, 28-30 March 1995, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Agriculture Publishing House. 200p.
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National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources
Conservation, Management and Use, 28 November - 1 December 1994 in
Nepal.
Reference: Upadhyay, M.P., H.K. Saiju, B.K. Baniya, and M.S. Bista
(editors). 1994. Plant Genetic Resources: Nepalese Perspective. Proceedings
of the National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation, Use and
Management, 28 November - 1 December 1994, Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepal
Agricultural Research Council and IPGRI. 241p.
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Lao PDR, in collaboration with SEARICE and FAO, better
links between PGR and sustainable agriculture.
Reference: Anon. 1995. Proceedings of a Workshop on Community-Based Plant
Genetic Resources Conservation, 26-28 April 1995, Vientiane, Lao PDR. The
Division of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane and the Sustainable
Agriculture Forum. 99p.
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Mongolia, in collaboration with Mongolian Agricultural
University in 1995.
Reference: Ganbaatar, S. (editor). 1996. The National Workshop on Plant
Genetic Resources in Mongolia, 26-29 September 1995. Mongolian Agricultural
University, Ulaanbaatar. 84p.
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National Workshop in Dhaka, Bangladesh during 26-29
August 1997 was supported. Subsequently a National PGR Committee was
constituted for better coordination of PGR activities in the country.
Reference: Hossain M.G, R.K. Arora and P.N. Mathur (editors). 1997. Plant
Genetic Resources Bangladesh Perspective. Proceedings of the National
Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation, Dhaka, Bangladesh. IPGRI
and BARC. 287p.
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Thailand PGR workshop was supported on 24-28 August
1998 to discuss future priorities for the country. Establishment of a
National Biodiversity Centre is mooted, with focus on agrobiodiversity,
within the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
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China, National Workshop on Conservation and
Utilization Strategies of Plant Genetic Resources in China, 25-27 October
1999, ICGR, Beijing and to discuss and finalize the final report on
germplasm use with ICGR, CAAS, Beijing.
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Bhutan, National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources
at NRTI, Lobeysa, 8-10 November 1999.
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Sri Lanka, National PGR workshop held at PGRC,
Peradeniya, -11 November 2000
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DPR Korea, National Workshop on Conservation and Use
of PGR Pyongyang in DPR Korea, 20-23 August 2001
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Emergency
collecting, characterization and evaluation
Some examples:
- Mongolia - Supported a collecting mission for forages, vegetables and food
crops in 1993-94, resulting in collecting of about 300 accessions in
1993-94.
- Vietnam - Supported, jointly with INIBAP, collecting, characterization and
conservation of indigenous banana germplasm in 1993-94; of rice in 1995 and
vegetables and fruits in 1996.
- Lao PDR - Supported a preliminary assessment of diversity of plant species
which highlighted the varied types of plant material collected for use in day
to day life and their importance in the overall development, in 1994.
- DPR Korea - Supported the collecting of genetic resources of food crops and
legumes.
- Nepal-Japan: IPGRI-APO facilitated a Japanese complementary-funded programme
on joint characterization and evaluation of Nepalese plant germplasm, which
involved training of two Nepalese scientists. Nepal-Japan: Currently
facilitating a joint study on genetic diversity characterization and in situ
conservation of buckwheat germplasm. Wild and weedy types of buckwheat, along
with the two cultivated species, Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum are
being studied. A field survey was completed and analysis of wild and weedy
types of buckwheat along with cultivated species using molecular techniques
was carried out. Two populations of a wild species, F. cymosum, from Kaski and
Dolpa districts were identified to have the highest diversity within
population. In situ conservation and the monitoring of genetic diversity of
these two populations was recommended.
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InfoBase development
This National Programme InfoBase has been set up by IPGRI-APO to assist the
countries in the region to better understand the various components of a National Programme on Plant
Genetic Resources, and to enable users to access information that is presently available in each
country by component. Thirteen components have been identified which collectively can describe an
effective national programme, in any country, no matter how large or small.
These components are:
Awareness. The general public in a country need to
be aware of the importance of conserving and using Plant Genetic Resources (PGR). Public awareness
activities can be effectively focused on key groups who can help to ensure that future PGR
activities can be sustained.
Planning and Policies. Clear and consistent plans and policies need to be developed and implemented by different sectors in a country if PGR are to be
conserved and used. Involvement of Informal and Private Sectors.
Companies, local organizations, NGOs and farmers all have important roles to play in using and
conserving PGR. Their role may need to be recognized and encouraged.
National Committee. Some form of coordination or
focal point for the various groups and organizations involved in PGR conservation and use is needed
in any country. The nature of the national committee or focal point will vary from country to
country.
Surveys. A country must know what PGR it possesses
within its borders in order to conserve and use it. Survey information on both collections of PGR as
well as PGR in cultivated and wild ecosystems is needed. Regular updates to identify species or
areas suffering from genetic erosion may also be needed.
In Situ Conservation. Much of a country’s
PGR may be maintained in situ, in the areas where their specific characteristics or
adaptations have developed, both on-farm and in non-cultivated ecosystems.
Ex Situ Conservation. Many countries
possess collections of genetic resources in some form - either as seeds or plant propagules in
genebanks, in the field, or in botanical gardens. Such collections require regular maintenance and
management by the curators responsible.
Information. Information on the location and status
of a country's PGR, either in situ or ex situ, is essential in order to manage and
conserve it, but also for exchange and sharing of benefits. Computers and modern information tools
can greatly assist countries to effectively document, manage and use their PGR.
Training and Education. Sufficient trained staff in the various organizations in a country carrying out PGR activities is essential for sustained
conservation and use. Addressing training needs is given the highest priority in many countries.
Research. "Strategic Research" is needed
to improve the various methods of conservation and use of PGR. "Applied Research" is
needed within countries to adapt research findings for local or specific situation to ensure the
potential benefits can be equitably shared by all, and that PGR can be effectively conserved.
Collaboration. No country possesses sufficient PGR
to meet all its present and future needs. Collaboration must include exchange of information,
technology and germplasm. Countries’ participation in Networks and other forms of co-operation can
help to ensure such exchange takes place.
Use. Conservation by itself is not sufficient. Plant
genetic resources will only be conserved if they are used – by farmers, breeders and local people,
or for research. The economic returns from use of PGR can also help to ensure their conservation.
Therefore conservation and use activities in a country should be integrated.
Funding. While it is the primary responsibility of a
country to ensure sufficient funding to conserve their PGR, fund-raising from external donors may be
needed to strengthen conservation capabilities in a country or in a regional activity.
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