Improving the identification, handling and storage of “difficult” seeds ...

1.3. FAO presentation
International Context on Plant Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture
Mr. Juan Fajardo
Food and Agriculture Organization
Improving the Identification, Handling and Storage of ‘Difficult’ Seeds
▪ Project presented by the United Kingdom in 2004 during the 10th Session of the Commission
on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
▪ In line with international action framework towards strengthening institutions and building
capacity for an enhanced management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
(PGRFA)
▪ Project supported by FAO through the Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service (AGPS)
Value of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
▪ Basic material for farmers and breeders to improve the quality and productivity of crops
▪ Farmers have domesticated wild plants and created diversity, by adapting crops to new
ecosystems and demands
▪ Farmers maintain this diversity within their farming systems. Unless conserved ex situ, it
vanishes when farming systems die.
▪ Countries and regions are interdependent: for their food and agriculture, they all depend on
crops originated elsewhere.
▪ Therefore, these resources are absolutely essential for the food security of the world.
▪ Most of the world’s genetic diversity lies in the tropical and semi-tropical countries.
▪ Many efforts have been made in the last years to increase the number and diversity of
accessions in gene banks, but emphasis must be in improving the efficiency of conservation
(Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources, 1996).
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
A strong linkage between conservation and utilization
National and International Programmes
To meet the specific needs of PGRFA, countries are developing national programmes. The
international community has also established a global system aimed at ensuring the safe
conservation and promoting the availability and sustainable use of PGRFA. Elements of this system
are:
▪ The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture