Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...
Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...
Improving the identification, handling and storage of âdifficultâ seeds ...
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6.1. Plenary <strong>of</strong> South Africa stakeholder workshop<br />
Chairperson<br />
Dr. Robin Probert, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew<br />
Species<br />
▪ Some lack <strong>of</strong> consensus between “difficult” species<br />
▪ Also some agreement about dormancy/<strong>storage</strong> issues – e.g. Cleome, Abelmoschus esculentus,<br />
Amaranthaceae<br />
▪ O<strong>the</strong>r difficulties due to <strong>storage</strong>/<strong>h<strong>and</strong>ling</strong> need to be addressed<br />
▪ Need to carry out scientific study on difficult species<br />
▪ Make existing information accessible on “difficult” species<br />
▪ Need to generate better underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> seed production in species that are vegetatively<br />
propagated, e.g. Andean tubers, Dioscorea sp.<br />
Equipment<br />
▪ Each genebank has different equipment needs<br />
▪ Ideally equipment should be locally sourced, using same manufacturers <strong>and</strong> suppliers within<br />
region<br />
▪ Need to establish maintenance contracts for equipment <strong>and</strong> identify “lab manager” to take<br />
responsibility for equipment maintenance<br />
▪ Project budget allocated to equipment should be directed towards most “needy” genebanks<br />
Training<br />
▪ “Training Needs Assessments” to be carried out to identify training levels required<br />
▪ Need to engage with local universities to identify academics (if available) who can support<br />
graduate level training<br />
▪ “Train <strong>the</strong> Trainer” training workshops for local experts/genebank managers to be provided by<br />
Kew<br />
▪ Need for basic training <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> seed biology/physiology for technicians, to be<br />
delivered by local experts/genebank managers<br />
▪ Build on existing training initiatives, e.g. in regional networks, SIDA<br />
On-farm Conservation<br />
▪ Need to directly engage with farmers regarding issues <strong>of</strong> seed <strong>h<strong>and</strong>ling</strong> in on-farm conservation<br />
<strong>and</strong> develop strategies to facilitate this <strong>and</strong> provide a service to farmers<br />
▪ Build on <strong>and</strong> share experiences <strong>of</strong> engagement between gene banks <strong>and</strong> farmers<br />
▪ Explore possibilities <strong>of</strong> collaboration with IPGRI in addressing constraints to seed <strong>h<strong>and</strong>ling</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>storage</strong> at on-farm community level<br />
▪ Gene bank liaison at farm-level<br />
- Angola – not direct, through extension workers<br />
- Botswana – not direct<br />
- Ecuador – direct with NGOs<br />
- Ethiopia – direct through Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture<br />
- Ghana – new activity with Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, indirect<br />
- Kenya – direct<br />
- Lesotho – direct with farmers<br />
- Libya – not direct, through cooperation<br />
- Malawi – direct, in-situ <strong>of</strong>ficer, collaboration with extension <strong>and</strong> NGOs<br />
- Mozambique – not direct<br />
- Seychelles – both direct <strong>and</strong> indirect, through extension <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>and</strong> staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> PGR<br />
unit
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