15. Building Strong National Programmes;
16. Promoting Networks for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture;
19. Expanding and Improving Education and Training;
15. Building strong national programmes
218. Assessment: National programmes are the foundation of regional and global plant genetic resources efforts; they are also a means to promote international cooperation on access to plant genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use. Effective national programmes provide a link between in-country activities and those at the regional and global levels. Many existing national programmes suffer from poor planning and management exacerbated by lack of resources and isolation from related activities.
219. Many of the countries which do not have strong national programmes, or appropriate long-term storage facilities, are those which have the most urgent food security problems. They are also often countries with rich and variable plant genetic resources in farmers’ fields and in the wild. Also, the often limited capacity of national programmes, particularly those located in developing countries, in assessing, utilizing and updating technologies for the conservation, characterization and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
is an important cause of inefficient management of collections and a limiting factor for their further utilization.
220. Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture activities involve public and private institutions and companies, non-governmental organizations, communities and individuals from the agriculture, environment and development sectors. The integration of existing plant genetic resources for food and agriculture activities in the framework of a unified national programme provides the opportunity to enhance such diverse efforts within a country.
221. National ex situ collections are an integral part of national plant genetic resources programmes for food and agriculture. Genebanks should not be viewed as closed repositories, but as dynamic centres. The integration of conservation, characterization, evaluation information and use will facilitate the valorization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Too strong an emphasis on centralized genebank conservation facilities, however, can distract attention away from utilization and lead to isolation, preventing genebanks from
providing optimal benefits to the country. While conservation and plant breeding in developing countries are generally undertaken by public institutions, practical and institutional linkages between the two are often poor. Clearly articulated goals are frequently absent. The lack of holistic, goal-oriented planning mitigates the rational use of existing resources and results in inefficiencies, reduced benefits and lost opportunities.
222. Long-term objectives: To identify and meet national needs through instituting rational, sustainable, effective, and equitable approaches to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture for the benefit of present and future generations. 223. To ensure adequate national capacity to participate in global efforts to conserve and use plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and to share in the benefits arising from their use.
224. Intermediate objectives: To give high priority to establishing the essential elements of integrated national programmes: a recognized national status; appropriate policy and institutional frameworks including mechanisms for coordinated planning and action; and a programme strategy; benefiting from help to do so. Where appropriate, to upgrade conservation facilities at the national or regional level.
225. To improve institutional and sectoral linkages and strengthen integration of institutional and community efforts.
226. To develop national capacities in the technical, managerial and policy areas.
227. Policy/strategy: National programmes should have a formally recognized status. The ecological, economic, social and aesthetic values of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture should be recognized in national planning and policies and in the prioritization and deployment of financial and other resources including financial incentives for the retention of qualified staff. Specific funding allocations should be made to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture programmes in the budget process of national governments.
228. National commitment to provide sustainable funding for national programmes and projects is essential; however regional or international support is a complement to domestic efforts.
229. National programmes should develop the capability to assess and determine the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture required to meet national conservation and development needs and related international obligations and should have supporting policies on conservation, access and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. National programmes should make available, as appropriate, the widest possible representative collection of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture to meet farmers’ needs, and for
the improvement of local varieties. Governments, in cooperation with national, regional and international institutions should monitor the development of new technologies relevant to the conservation, characterization and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. In addition, governments should establish quarantine and other regulations regarding the import and export of plant genetic materials which offer adequate protection without unduly restricting appropriate transfers of materials.
230. As appropriate to the level of development and complexity of existing institutional efforts, a national programme should encourage or provide for coordination amongst all relevant institutions and organizations in the country and link national work to regional and international activities. Integrated, holistic national strategies address more than genebank operations. They should effectively encompass conservation, development, and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the linkages between these areas.
Establishment of broadly-comprised national committees will be an important means of organizing and coordinating efforts in most countries.
231. The actual structure and organization of the national programme will depend on the infrastructure and capacities available in the country; policy decisions will determine programme strategy and mode of operation, in particular regarding international collaboration. In countries where capacities are limited, the strategy may include use of the physical facilities and technical expertise of other national programmes or of international institutions.
232. Existing programmes should consider establishing stronger partnerships with private enterprises, non-government organizations, rural and indigenous communities. Cross-sectoral links should be forged with agencies engaged in national planning and other programmes concerning agriculture, land reform, and environment protection.
233. Institutional links should be promoted, as appropriate, among national institutions and entities specialized in technology transfer, in order to assist national institutions in the negotiation for the acquisition of technologies for the conservation, characterization and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and associated data processing, under fair and most favourable terms, including on concessional and
preferential terms, as mutually agreed to by all parties to the transaction. In the case of technology subject to patents and other intellectual property rights, access and transfer of technology should be provided on terms which recognize and are consistent with the adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights.
234. Capacity: Where appropriate, assistance upon request should be given to facilitate regular national planning and priority setting. High priority should be placed on the assessment and improvement of management practices in facilities such as genebanks and research stations.
235. Other measures needed to develop effective national programmes are contained in the recommendations associated with other activities.
236. Research activities in national programmes focus mainly on scientific and technical research described within the other activity areas. Research is also needed on missions and management of national PGRFA programmes including testing of institutional frameworks; and evaluating use needs and the efficiency of alternative responses; data base management; and the economic efficiency of different approaches to conservation.
237. Certain policy, legal and institutional issues, inter alia, those related to ownership, intellectual property rights, exchange, transfer and trade in plant genetic resources, are confronting national programmes increasingly. Coordination is needed to provide national programmes with information on these issues and to assess the impact of international developments in these fields on the conservation and exchange of plant genetic resources, and to incorporate new research developments, as appropriate, into national systems and practices.
238. Coordination/Administration: Implement coordination mechanisms within countries to ensure the most effective prioritization in the deployment of financial and other resources. Governments should periodically review their policies to evaluate their effectiveness. Coordinated and prioritized action at the national level should be complemented by an international system that is likewise coordinated and prioritized. International collaboration is necessary in a world where countries are interdependent and where they wish to establish practical, rational and economical means to conserve plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, enhance their
use, encourage access, and share benefits.
239. Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture networks and international fora ( inter alia, the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO, and CSD) provide useful mechanisms through which countries can coordinate activities and agree on common policies, as appropriate.
240. This activity is closely linked with:
All other activities
16. Promoting networks for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
241. Assessment: Networks are important platforms for scientific exchange, information sharing, technology transfer, research collaboration, and for the determination and sharing of responsibilities for such activities as collecting, conservation, distribution, evaluation, and genetic enhancement. By establishing links between those involved in the conservation, management, development and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, networks can promote exchange of materials on the basis of mutually agreed terms and
enhance the utilization of germplasm. In addition, they can serve to help set priorities for action, develop policy, and provide means whereby crop-specific and regional views can be conveyed to various organizations and institutions.
242. Currently, a number of regional and crop-based networks are operating. Some networks, especially certain crop networks, are not fully functional. These are in need of strengthening. A number of new networks need to be organized in order to ensure that all regions benefit from the existence of active networks covering the crops / plants of importance to the region. The participation of countries with limited national capacity in plant genetic resources for food and agriculture ( inter alia many of the least developed countries and small island states) is particularly important, as it gives them access to information, technology and materials.
243. Long-term objectives: To ensure that all countries are served by active regional and international networks and an appropriate complement of crop-based, thematic and in situ oriented networks.
244. As a matter of high priority, promote scientific exchange and cooperation, and to promote coordination, planning, and priority setting at the regional level, as a means to avoid duplication, to strengthen and make more efficient existing work in plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and to minimize costs of conservation and utilization.
245. To facilitate the setting of regional goals and priorities and the implementation of these through existing national and regional institutions.
246. To facilitate consideration of integrated, eco-regional approaches to conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including wild relatives of crops.
247. Intermediate objectives: To strengthen existing regional, crop and thematic networks.
248. To establish active regional networks in areas not currently covered by such. To establish and strengthen 5 to 15 international crop and thematically-oriented networks, including in situ conservation networks, with broad participation, open to any country.
249. To facilitate and promote the participation of countries in these networks.
250. Policy/strategy: Governments should as a matter of policy support the active participation of public and private institutions in regional, crop and thematic networks. Cost of such networks should be met by participants in the networks according to their ability, complemented, as appropriate, by support from governments and other sources. Participation should be seen as benefiting the country and as a means for pooling efforts among countries faced with similar challenges and for promoting the sharing of benefits with other countries. Both
cash and in-kind contributions by governments to the networks should be considered as meeting these obligations and contributing to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action. Countries should have appropriate oversight over the activities carried out under the aegisof the networks.
251. Governments, national research institutions, international agricultural research centres, in particular IPGRI, and/or crop-specific scientific organizations, may convene existing and/or new crop or thematically oriented networks and/or facilitate their work. Networks may cooperate closely with, offering guidance as appropriate, to international agricultural research centres and regional institutions and efforts in order to ensure higher levels of communication, accountability, and synergy.
252. Networks should identify the opportunities for working with non-governmental organizations, and develop concrete actions, particularly in the areas of training, access to reproductive material, coordination of local initiatives, information, and public awareness.
253. Capacity: The building of networks requires not only technical expertise, but substantial communication and organization skills. It is first and foremost a problem of organizing, coordinating and facilitating. Resources should be provided for such activities as: planning; communication, including travel; meetings; network publications such as newsletters and reports of meetings; servicing and strengthening of the network.
254. For regional networks, priority should be given to strengthening existing networks or integrating countries not presently served into them, and to establishing new networks in the following regions:
(a) Pacific
(b) Caribbean
(c) CIS states of Central Asia
(d) West and Central Africa
(e) East Africa
(f) Indian Ocean Islands
(g) Black Sea, or Caucasus and other regions, when necessary.
255. Research/technology: Networks provide a vehicle for implementing collaborative research in mutually agreed priority areas. As appropriate and feasible, research, training and technology transfer should be planned and/or implemented in collaboration with the networks.
256. Coordination/administration: Resources should be made available to continue to service existing networks as appropriate and to organize and facilitate the development of new regional and crop-based networks.
257. This activity is closely linked with:
All other activities
258. Assessment: Many of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are insufficiently and/or poorly documented relative to what should be known about them for optimal conservation, access and use. Documentation of wild relatives of crops and on-farm genetic resources located in situ is particularly poor. In ex situ collections, basic identification such as accession number and taxonomic name; where and how material originated; descrip-tions of basic morphological and agronomic characters; current viability test results; regeneration cycles; where the material has been distributed; and pertinent ethno-botanical information, farmer and indigenous knowledge, has been maintained on material conserved. A genebank or in situ programme lacking sufficiently trained personnel, proper infrastructure or sustainable resources to manage genetic resources data cannot fully conserve or promote the full use of its plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This situation is exacerbated due to the fact that at the national and institutional level, data management and documentation activities are often given an inappropriately low priority in the allocation of funding. In the
proper format, data can be used not only to assist conservation efforts, but to "add value" to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
259. Historically, development in agriculture has not included a strong linkage to development in communication infrastructure, information use and information management. With rapid changes in information technology, development could proceed more quickly by providing sustainable communication and information access. Lack of access isolates individuals and institutes and prevents their being part of a visible framework in which their work can be seen as an integral component.
260. Long-term objectives: To facilitate increased access to and better management and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture through the assembly, exchange, and provision of useful information.
261. To establish a reliable and accurate plant genetic resources for food and agriculture data exchange network through the development of expertise and infrastructure at the global, regional, national, and facility levels.
262. To help countries assemble and better manage their existing information and to facilitate their access to internationally and regionally held information.
263. Intermediate objectives: To assemble available data and information in a usable form using effective methodologies, databases and protocols.
264. To establish regional and crop based data management and exchange networks between genebanks and other partners in PGR programmes to assist with provision of documentation systems and training of personnel.
265. To develop data and documentation system strategies with and for genebanks and other partners in PGR programmes and breeding programmes and establish, as feasible, genebank database management systems at appropriate genebanks.
266. To support access to the international electronic communication infrastructure by genebanks and other partners in PGR programmes and breeding programmes.
267. Policy/strategy: High priority should be given at all levels to developing, staffing, and maintaining useful and user-friendly documentation and information systems.
268. Documentation, information and dissemination systems which are cost effective and easy to access, should also be developed in order to facilitate technology transfer.
269. Information on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture will be acquired and disseminated in accordance with Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
270. Capacity: Planning assistance should be provided to national programmes to encourage the development of rational and compatible strategies for information management. Such strategies need not be electronic or computer-based, but computerization and linkages to other institutions and programmes through Internet should be an ultimate goal for many facilities.
271. Existing data and information should be assembled and put in a usable and easily accessible form and verified. Such material is often found in genebanks and research stations in scientists’ notebooks and reports or contained in antiquated, inaccessible systems.
272. Access by national programmes to basic scientific, research, and bibliographic information should be facilitated.
273. Genebanks should have sufficient personnel to manage information and make it easily and widely accessible to users according to national goals. Education and training in data management and electronic communications should be provided at the genebank level, with emphasis on data management and analysis, connectivity, and data exchange. Such activities (including training of staff) should be supported as appropriate and feasible while
considering the need to rationalize genetic resources efforts at the global and regional levels.
274. Appropriate self-teaching manuals should be developed as needed. Technical support should be provided on a continuing basis to improve management of data and information and to allow for adoption of new, appropriate technologies.
275. Research/technology: Research should be supported to:
(a) develop appropriate and low-cost methodologies and technologies for compilation and exchange of data;
(b) develop methods for adapting these technologies at the local level as appropriate;
(c) develop means to facilitate easy access and use of data by electronic means and through Internet;
(d) develop means and methodologies to make useful information easily available to non-specialists, including NGOs, farmers’ and indigenous peoples’ organizations.
276. Coordination/administration: Coordination and collaboration should be further developed in the context of the World Information and Early Warning System being developed by FAO, and building upon available expertise in national programmes as well as the SINGER initiative within the CGIAR, the documentation work being done regionally by IPGRI, UNEP’s Geographical Information System, UNESCO’s Biosphere Information
System, work being undertaken through the Convention on Biological Diversity. Such coordination should also seek to involve regional and crop networks and other users and conservers of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including the private sector and other NGOs, as active participants and partners.
277. Global and regional assessment, oversight, planning, and coordination is needed to promote cost efficiency and effectiveness.
278. This activity is closely linked with:
All other activities
279. Assessment: Erosion of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture can occur in ex situ collections, in farmers’ fields and in nature. The former depends on the quality of the original material stored, and on the conditions under which the material is maintained and multiplied. The loss of wild relatives can occur through loss or disturbance of habitat or natural disasters. Loss of genetic resources in crops occurs mainly through adoption of new crops or new varieties of crops with the consequent abandonment of traditional ones without appropriate conservation measures.
280. Various factors, both natural phenomena and the results of human behavior, including urban expansion, agricultural modernization, civil strife and war, can put plant genetic resources for food and agriculture at risk. Several countries were unable to submit Country Reports or participate in the preparatory process for the International Technical Conference due to these factors. Despite the implications of this, no formal mechanisms
exist to monitor such situations, assemble information and initiate appropriate actions.
281. Long-term objectives: To minimise genetic erosion and its impact on sustainable agriculture by monitoring key elements of genetic resources conservation and the various factors causing genetic erosion, and assembling information to enable remedial or preventive action to be taken.
282. Intermediate objectives: To determine the underlying causes of genetic erosion. To encourage monitoring at the national, regional, and global levels. To establish mechanisms to ensure that information is transferred to appropriate points designated as responsible for analysis, coordination and action.
283. Policy/strategy: In accordance with Agenda 21, governments should periodically review and report on the situation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Governments should designate / re-confirm a focal point to convey this information to FAO, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and other appropriate bodies.
284. Information from appraisals and environmental impact assessments of major development projects which may have a significant impact on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture should be made available to relevant national authorities.
285. Capacity: National programme personnel and allied workers at more local levels should receive short training in methods of gathering and interpreting information on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the various threats to these resources.
286. Realizing the importance of gobal monitoring and early warning of loss of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, the efficiency, purpose and value of the FAO World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) should be evaluated. In the light of the results of that review, WIEWS should be improved.
287. Research/technology: Research to determine the underlying causes and dynamics of genetic erosion. Research applicable to improving methods for surveying of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture will also be useful to early warning systems.
288. Technical experts, representatives of national programmes, UNEP, UNDRO, the CGIAR, IUCN, NGOs, and the private sector, should be invited by FAO to participate in and contribute to discussions on developing an early warning system.
289. The utility of using remote sensing technologies should be investigated.
290. Coordination/administration: WIEWS should collaborate closely with national focal points, national coordinators, regional and crop networks, the international agricultural research centres, UNEP, UNDRO, and other relevant organizations.
291. Governments and aid agencies should ensure communication and cooperation between plant genetic resources programmes, development programmes, and organizations and agencies such as the World Bank, FAO, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, IFAD and the CGIAR.
292. This activity is closely linked with:
 |
Surveying and inventorying plant genetic resources for food and agriculture |
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Supporting planned and targeted collecting of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture |
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Constructing comprehensive information systems for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture |
19. Expanding and improving education and training
293. Assessment: The importance of training in achieving sustainable improvements in plant genetic resources for food and agriculture conservation and use is widely accepted. At a time when financial support to many programmes is threatened, funding for training has become particularly tenuous. Governments do not always ensure that individuals receiving such training are appropriately utilized and remunerated.
294. The dearth of well-trained personnel is evident at virtually all levels and in all scientific and technical specialities in many developing countries. Every sub-regional meeting in the preparatory process called attention to this. Both university programmes and short specialized courses offered by a variety of institutions, are typically oversubscribed. There is a great disparity in the educational and training opportunities available in the various regions. Moreover, programmes which combine technical training with exposure to the many disciplines, including management, policy and legal fields, associated with plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, appear not to exist very often.
295. Long-term objectives: To make available to every country according to their needs and priorities, training in all the relevant functions of conservation and utilization, as well as management and policy.
296. Intermediate objectives: To develop regional capacity for advanced training and to establish effective collaborative arrangements between relevant institutions in developed and developing countries.
297. To develop appropriate short courses and educational modules in subjects identified as priorities regionally.
298. To foster access to external training for those countries lacking national capacity.
299. To encourage institutions to include plant genetic resources for food and agriculture aspects in related courses and programmes in biological sciences.
300. Policy/strategy: Governments should recognize the appropriateness and importance of education concerning plant genetic resources for food and agriculture at all levels.
301. Governments and institutions should commit themselves to providing training and advanced educational opportunities for existing staff.
302. Capacity: As feasible, support should be given to the development of institutions and/or programmes in each region, capable of providing advanced education in plant genetic resources and plant breeding. Support should also be given to students to complete degree programmes at these institutions and/or programmes. Collaboration between developed and developing country academic institutions, as well as relevant internships,
should be encouraged. Educational programmes should have access to and should use the Internet for professional communication and data and information acquisition.
303. As regional institutions are being strengthened, existing capacity in developed countries should be used and supported, particularly if it is specifically tailored to the needs of developing countries.
304. In addition to current efforts, specialized training courses should be developed and regularly held for each region in a number of technical topics as well as in management, policy and public awareness.
305. Technology transfer expertise related to the conservation, characterization and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture should be enhanced, particularly in developing countries. National institutions from both developing and developed countries and international organizations all have a very important role to play in facilitating this process.
306. Consideration should be given to developing the courses in a module form so as to be widely applicable and usable in different regions, while maintaining a distinctive regional focus. As feasible, courses should be offered in the language most appropriate for the region.
307. Special consideration should be given to on-site training for rural women, as they play a significant but sometimes unrecognized role in maintaining and developing plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and associated knowledge and traditions. 308. At the international level, capacity to develop training materials and offer or coordinate training courses should be enhanced.
309. Research/technology: Institutions should endeavour to link training with on-going research.
310. Coordination/Administration: Training courses should be developed and offered in close collaboration with regional networks and national programmes. In addition, advanced programmes should be developed in cooperation with relevant regional academic consortia or associations.
311. This activity is closely linked with:
All other activities
312. Assessment: Public awareness is the key to mobilising popular opinion and to generating and sustaining appropriate political action within countries and internationally. The capacity to communicate the impact of genetic resources activities to key target audiences is critical to the success of any conservation programme.
313. A targeted public awareness programme can promote the development of international linkages and collaborative mechanisms such as networks. Within countries, public awareness can facilitate efforts to involve communities and local and non-governmental organizations in national genetic resources activities, thus ensuring a broader base for conservation. Strong linkages between public awareness work done by international organizations and national programmes and organizations can increase effectiveness and reduce costs.
314. Final objectives: To integrate fully public awareness into all local, national, regional and international programme activities.
315. Intermediate objectives: To support mechanisms, particularly in developing countries, for coordinated public awareness activities at all levels.
316. Policy/strategy: National policies and planning should recognize the role that public awareness can play in establishing a firm basis for sustainable genetic resources conservation and use. Public awareness should be considered in the development of all national programme activities.
317. National strategies should identify objectives and strategies for public awareness, defining target audiences, partners and tools for public outreach. Governments should recognize and encourage the work of NGOs in raising public awareness.
318. Adequate consideration should be give to production of public awareness materials in appropriate languages to facilitate broad use within countries.
319. Capacity: Genetic resources programmes should have as appropriate a focal point for public awareness. Genetic resources workers, however, should develop the capacity to articulate the importance of programme goals and activities in the broader context of sustainable agriculture and development. They should be able to communicate this to all stakeholders using tools provided by public awareness specialists.
320. Plant genetic resources programmes should consider enlisting the help of well-known and influential people to increase access to the media and attract added attention.
321. National genetic resources programmes should draw on public awareness tools and technologies generated at the regional and international level for use in their own information efforts. These tools – and the messages they convey – may have to be adapted to reflect national priorities and circumstances. However, it is likely that many of the regional and global messages will prove useful in supporting national public awareness strategies
and activities. This will substantially reduce costs to the national programme.
322. Awareness of the value of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and of the role of scientists, plant breeders, farmers and communities in maintaining and improving them, should be promoted in schools at all levels, as well as in specialized agricultural research institutions.
323. Research/technology: Research into, or consideration of, the information needs of targeted audiences should be made before launching major public awareness initiatives. At the international level, research into the use of the new information technologies to meet public awareness needs should be undertaken.
324. Coordination/administration: A certain degree of coordination and facilitation is needed at the international level to rationalize and bring cost efficiencies to public awareness work. National programmes and others can take advantage of materials developed at the international level, for example through public awareness officers in FAO, UNEP, the CGIAR system, and NGOs, including the private sector. Linkages between
international organizations and NGOs will facilitate the sharing of messages and the identification of opportunities for collaborative activities.
325. This activity is closely linked with:
All other activities
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