1 Towards a Strategic and Integrated Management of Plant Genetic Resources for Food Security and Sustainable Development Dr. Kakoli Ghosh, Agricultural Officer, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO, Rome

2 CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FARMERS AGRO-ECOSYSTEM PLANT BREEDING SEED PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY Fundamental aspects of PGRFA

3 1996, Leipzig International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources → Adoption of the first State of the World’s Plan Genetic Resources (SOW) → Adoption of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) 1999, FAO Conference → Need to periodically assess the SOW in order to facilitate the analysis of changing needs and gaps, as well as to contribute to the adjustment of the rolling GPA 2001, FAO Conference → Adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT-PGRFA) → The GPA became part of the IT-PGRGA as a supporting component Key dates towards a strategic management of PGRFA

4 The Global Plan of Action for Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA (

5 Drawn from findings and needs identified through the State of the World, the Global Plan of Action is a set of recommendations and activities in all PGRFA activities Coherent framework for 20 priority activity areas in conservation and sustainable utilization, institutions and capacity-building Rolling plan that needs to be periodically updated based on the State of the World’s PGRFA Better management, cooperation, and coordination of all PGRFA-related activities All NENA countries have adopted the GPA

6 The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (

7 Main objective of the IT-PGRFA Access to PGR and Equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of PGR Members of the IT-PGRFA: - take on the obligation to implement the IT-PGRFA - are called to cooperate in the periodic reassessment of the SOW-PGRFA in order to facilitate the updating of the rolling Global Plan of Action (Art. 14 and 17.3) Efficient and effective management of PGRFA for food security and sustainable management Enhanced conservation coupled with sustainable use of PGRFA

8 Structure of the SOW-2

9 Periodic Assessment of the SOW The first Report on the State of the World’s PGRFA represented the first comprehensive global assessment of the status and use of PGRFA Contribution to the implementation of the IT-PGRFA Update of the first SOW with a focus on the changes occurred since 1996 Adjustment of the 20 priority activity areas of the GPA taking into account changing needs and gaps Periodic Assessment Assisting national, regional and global efforts for effective conservation and sustainable utilization of PGR to achieve food security, rural development and sustainable agriculture

10 The preparatory process of the SOW-2 is: 103 countries have prepared a Country Report on the State of PGRFA 15 other countries reports are being prepared or possibly expected (March 2009) Fully integrated with the process of monitoring the implementation of the GPA Country driven (Country Reports, NISM) Conducted in collaboration with various partners (IPGRI/Bioversity, genebanks, CGIAR centers, etc.) Guided by the Inter-Governmental Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources of the Commission - Fourth Session: July 2009

11 Country Reports received from 103 countries, including 16 country reports from NENA countries

12 Thematic Background Studies Country Reports National Information Sharing Mechanisms Focusing on Key Changes since 1996 Second State of the World on PGRFA Updating of the rolling Global Plan of Action Analysis of changing needs and gaps Integration of new emerging issues COUNTRY-DRIVEN PROCESS Food security, rural development, sustainable agriculture, protection of environment Implementation of the IT-PGRFA Strategic and Integrated Management of Plant Genetic Resources Food and Agriculture

13 Gaps and challenges as reported by Countries Hinders the efficiency of all PGRFA related activities and sustainable agricultural development at the country level 1. Fragmentation in the national approach to PGRFA conservation and use → No linkages between in situ conservation, crop improvement programmes, ex situ conservation, seed systems and markets 2. Poor documentation, outdated information, and lack of knowledge support 3. Lack of institutional capacities for the elaboration, coordination, and implementation of adequate policies and programmes on PGRFA 4. Limited stakeholder participation and lack of partnership between PGR users and seed producers 5. Lack of legislation and limited implementation of legislation Hinders the implementation of the IT-PGRFA

14 Needs and requests as reported by Countries Recognition of the equal importance and the strong interconnections between PGR conservation, crop variety improvement, and seed production and delivery systems Challenges of Climate Change, Food Security and Sustainable Development The IT-PGRFA enables efficient and strategic management of PGRFA at the global level that can serve as the model for the national-level strategies for efficient PGRFA management Need for a strategic and integrated plant genetic resources management system for better utilization of PGRFA benefits Strong and centralized institutions at all levels National integrated strategies establishing all necessary linkages

15  All NENA countries are members of the IT-PGRFA (ratification or accession) except : Azerbaidjan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Somalia and Iraq  The development of a legislation for accessing and exchanging genetic resources is at an advanced stage in Syria and drafts are under-development in Morocco, Lebanon, and Egypt ! Challenges: 1. Encourage member countries of the NENA region to develop and adopt appropriate legislation on access and benefit-sharing 2. Encourage non-member countries of the NENA region to join the IT-PGRFA 3. Encourage the development of a Strategic and Integrated Management of Plant Genetic Resources for Food Security and Sustainable Development The Near East and North African Countries and the IT-PGRFA

FARMERS CULTIVARS FARMERS AGRO-ECOSYSTEM SEED PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES PLANT BREEDING NEW CULTIVARS ELITE GERMPLASM INFORMATION GENETIC DIVERSITY RESTORATION GERMPLASM SEED FOR PRODUCTION OWN SEED SEED GROWERS EMERGENCY RESTORATION ON-FARM IN SITU TRIALS FARMER BREEDING PARTICIPATORY PLANT BREEDING

17 Thank You for your kind attention