Involvement of Informal and Private Sectors

For effective and sustainable conservation and use of plant genetic resources, in all countries, key organizations, government institutions, universities, NGOs, private-sector companies, need to work in creative and harmonious partnerships to conserve the nation’s genetic diversity and to put it to work in the service of development. In many countries, the  informal and private sectors play important roles which are not always sufficiently recognized, or encouraged. There is a need to reverse this trend. The CBD recognizes the need for the involvement of private sector in PGR conservation and use, especially in developing methods for sustainable use of biological resources (Article 6e) and the NGOs and community organizations (Article 6c,d). The GPA also recognises the importance involvement of different groups (priority activities 3-4, 15).

The Private Sector can include, seed companies, biotechnology companies, private plant breeding, agrochemical organizations, pharmaceutical, plantations and timber companies all of which may play an important role in using and conserving PGR in a country. Long-term commitment is required for conservation work and private-sector companies are usually unwilling to invest in it. Private companies are seldom directly concerned with conservation, but they are often important users of genetic resources and therefore have a direct stake in the success of public-sector conservation efforts. This interest needs to be exploited for improved conservation and use of PGR.

Indigenous people, local communities and farmers have played a key roles in selecting, evaluating, using and maintaining plant genetic resources both in the past and as well as in the present. Their key role in spelled out in global agreements including the CBD (Article 8j), as well as in GPA, particularly related to in situ conservation (priority activities 1, 2, 3, 9, 14). In the recent (1998 December) GPA implementation meeting for Asia and the Pacific, major emphasis was placed by countries in the region to recognize and support greater community involvement in efforts to conserve and use PGR.

Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) work effectively with local groups in improving local choices and uses of PGR. Different NGO’s may address farmers and community concerns at the local, national, regional and international levels.

More information:

GPA Priority Activity 3, Priority Activity 4, Priority Activity 15

NEC and Intel Announce Partnership for Global Biodiversity Conservation

The Cookie-Conservation Connection: Helping Protect An Endangered Rain Forest

Regional Meeting to Promote and Facilitate Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific

Anonymous. 1997. Report of the NGO Committee to the CGIAR. Washington DC. CGIAR Secretariat. 9 December 1997. Report of the 5th meeting of CGIAR NGO Committee (NGOC) at World Bank Headquarters in Washington on 24-25 October 1997.

Sthapit, B.R. and A. Subedi. 1997. Participatory plant breeding in Nepal: NGOs perspective. Paper presented at Plant Breeding working group meeting of Systemwide Program and Gender Analysis for Technology Development and Institutional Innovation. October 26, 1997. World Bank, Washington D.C., USA.