sgrp Annual Report 2003 of the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme

Transcription

1 sgrp Annual Report 2003 of the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme

2 The Future Harvest Centres comprise 15 food and environmental research organizations located around the world that work with national agricultural research systems, the private sector and civil society. The Centres are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations and private foundations. The alliance mobilizes agricultural science to reduce poverty, foster human well-being, promote agricultural growth, and protect the environment. The CGIAR is co-sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. See The CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP) joins the genetic resources programmes and activities of the Future Harvest Centres in a partnership whose goal is to maximize collaboration, particularly in five thematic areas. The thematic areas policy, public awareness and representation, information, knowledge and technology, and capacity building relate to issues or fields of work that are critical to the success of genetic resources efforts. The SGRP contributes to the global effort to conserve agricultural, forestry and aquatic genetic resources and promotes their use in ways that are consistent with the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources (ICWG-GR), which includes representatives from the Centres and FAO, is the Steering Committee. IPGRI is the Convening Centre for SGRP and hosts its coordinating Secretariat. Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the World Bank are donors to SGRP. See The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is a Future Harvest Centre that seeks to advance the conservation and use of plant genetic diversity for the well-being of present and future generations. IPGRl has its headquarters in Maccarese, near Rome, Italy, with offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. See CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Cali, Colombia; CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia; CIMMYT Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo, Mexico DF, Mexico; CIP Centro Internacional de la Papa, Lima, Peru; ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic; ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, India; IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA; IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria; ILRI International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy; IRRI International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines; IWMI International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka; WARDA The Africa Rice Center, Bouaké, Côte d lvoire; ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi, Kenya; WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia. Cover photo: A woman plants rice in Northern India. Eric McGaw. Citation: SGRP Annual Report 2003 of the CGIAR Systemwide Genetic Resources Programme. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy. ISBN IPGRI Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a Maccarese Rome, Italy International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, 2004

3 Annual Report 2003 of the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme

4 ii Contents Introduction 1 Regular programme activities 2 Upgrading the genebanks of the CGIAR 5 Global Crop Diversity Trust moves forward 9 Adding value to information with SINGER 12 Facilitating research on agricultural biodiversity 15 A learning module for law and policy 19 Members of the ICWG-GR 22 SGRP secretariat staff 24 SGRP reports and publications 24 Financial report 26 Abbreviations and acronyms 27 Centre addresses 28

5 Introduction SGRP aims to strengthen the contribution of the Future Harvest Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) to the effective management of genetic resources for the sustainable development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Individual Centres have long worked to research and manage genetic resources, and the SGRP was created to bring consistency and efficiency to the CGIAR System s efforts, especially with regard to the plant genetic resources held in trust for the global community. Since the inception of the SGRP some 150 institutes from around the world have taken part in specific programme activities. Activities in 2003 continued to build on previous efforts and to launch prominent new initiatives. For example, the growing awareness of the importance of agricultural biodiversity for improved livelihoods and poverty alleviation provided the impetus for SGRP to hold an international meeting on the subject. That in turn resulted in the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity welcoming the meeting s call for an international facilitation unit to coordinate and develop research on agricultural biodiversity (see page 15). Work to establish the unit is now under way. Efforts to help countries and national partners to come to grips with international policy and law on genetic resources has also received a boost with the publication of a learning module on Law and Policy of Relevance to the Management of Plant Genetic Resources (see page 19). After development and testing, the module has been released so that people with practical management and policy-making responsibilities for plant genetic resources can Species agrobiodiversity: rice and wheat on the Indo- Gangetic plain yield more than a single species on its own. L. Harrington/CIMMYT ensure that their governments and institutions are meeting legal requirements and developing appropriate policies. Regionalized versions are now being developed. The Global Crop Diversity Trust has been active too, focusing in particular on issues of governance. An Interim Panel of Eminent Experts was appointed to establish the Trust as an independent international fund (see page 9). While the Trust works for the long-term support of genebanks, SGRP coordinated efforts to secure the immediate upgrades that the genebanks of the Future Harvest Centres need in order to ensure that their activities meet the highest internationally agreed standards. An application to the World Bank for support was granted and the vital process of improving genebank operations has begun in earnest, with considerable results already visible (see page 5). SINGER, the Systemwide Information Network for Genetic Resources, continues to improve access to information about genetic resources (see page 12). Increasingly, SINGER is being seen not only as a valuable instrument in its own right, but also as a source of expertise that partners inside and outside the CGIAR have been happy to call on. In the period covered by this report SGRP received funding from Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the World Bank plus financial support to projects from CIMMYT (Generation Challenge Program), Germany and the International Seed Federation. SGRP is grateful for all the support it receives. 1 Introduction

6 2 Regular programme activities REGULAR PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES Major activities are detailed elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition to these, SGRP continues to be involved in a wide range of activities that contribute to CGIAR System collaboration on genetic resources. SGRP represented the Future Harvest Centres of the CGIAR in various policy fora during the year. These included: the second session of the FAO Inter-governmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture held in Rome in November 2003; the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit- Sharing of the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Montreal in December 2003; and the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore of WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organization), held in Geneva in July A letter of agreement was signed with WIPO to link the CGIAR Systemwide Information Network for Genetic Resources (SINGER) with WIPO s pilot Web-based portal for traditional knowledge-related information for national patent offices prior art searches. This link, along with detailed information about SINGER, was included in documents produced by the SGRP Secretariat for WIPO s Intergovernmental Committee. SGRP also continued to provide support to Centres on a range of policy issues. An important effort in 2003 focused on preparations for the coming into force of the new International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. SGRP, in consultation with FAO, drafted a new Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) to reflect the benefit-sharing provisions of the Treaty. The FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture approved this new MTA, which governs the disbursement of germplasm from the Future Harvest collections, at its meeting in October Then, on 1 May 2003, all 11 CGIAR Centres holding collections of plant genetic resources in trust A germplasm collector interviews a farmer to gather traditional knowledge about the varieties he grows. S. Appa Rao/IRRI

7 Engels, J.M.M. and Visser, L. (eds) A guide to effective management of germplasm collections. IPGRI Handbooks for Genebanks No. 6. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy. IPGRI Handbooks for Genebanks No. 6 A guide to effective management of germplasm collections J.M.M. Engels and L. Visser (editors) 3 Regular programme activities under the auspices of FAO implemented the new MTA, following its endorsement by each Centre s Board. The new MTA is essentially an interim agreement, pending the coming into force of the MTAs under the Treaty. This MTA continues an important principle of previous MTAs for the in-trust collections, in that it does not require the signature of the recipient of the germplasm. Instead, it utilizes the so-called software approach, which binds the recipient to the terms and conditions spelled out in the MTA provided that the recipient accepts and retains the material. The MTA is posted on all Centre Web sites and the CGIAR Web site, and is available in FAO s five official languages. SGRP supported the publication of A guide to effective management of germplasm collections that was published as part of the series IPGRI Handbooks for Genebanks. The book is the outcome of a workshop designed to ensure that genebanks have the skills to make closer contact with researchers and breeders and to connect with politicians, planners and their local communities. The idea is to help genebanks to become more useful, better used, and better appreciated in wider society. To that end the handbook goes beyond a narrow view of genebank management the preservation of genetic integrity and viability of stored material to deal with agenda setting, improved use of accessions, economic costs, and how to share responsibilities and collaborate with a wider range of partners. It also includes a series of case studies illustrating how three specific genebanks have addressed these wider concerns.

8 4 future harvest Centres , CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical Apdo. Aéreo 6713 Cali Colombia 2 CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research Jalan CIFOR Situ Gede, Sindangbarang Bogor Barat Indonesia 3 CIMMYT Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo Apdo. Postal Mexico, DF Mexico 4 CIP Centro Internacional de la Papa Apdo Lima 12 Peru 5 ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas PO Box 5466 Aleppo Syrian Arab Republic 6 ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Patancheru Andhra Pradesh India 7 IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute 2033 K St NW Washington DC USA 8 IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture PMB 5320 Ibadan Nigeria 9 ILRI International Livestock Research Institute PO Box Nairobi Kenya 10 IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a Maccarese Rome Italy 11 IRRI International Rice Research Institute DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila Philippines 12 IWMI International Water Management Institute PO Box 2075 Colombo Sri Lanka 13 WARDA The Africa Rice Center 01 BP 2551 Bouaké 01 Côte d Ivoire 14 World Agroforestry Centre-ICRAF United Nations Ave. PO Box Nairobi Kenya 15 WorldFish Center PO Box 500 GPO Penang Malaysia

9 upgrading the genebanks of the cgiar Eleven Future Harvest Centres collectively hold more than samples of crop, forage and agroforestry genetic resources in the public domain. Of these, accessions are formally designated in trust for the world community under agreements with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Centres are committed to conserving these collections for the long-term and to making them available as global public goods. However, this commitment is increasingly under threat as unrestricted sources of funds decline. The collections of plant genetic resources held in the genebanks of Future Harvest Centres are among the largest in the world and arguably the most important. They are vital for improving the livelihoods of the poor and to address global food security, and are an important component of research and development to alleviate poverty, increase agricultural productivity and arrest degradation of the environment. The collections account for an estimated 40% of the unique samples of the world s major food crops and are particularly rich in farmers varieties, landraces and wild species related to crops. They represent both insurance against the loss of genetic diversity in the field and in nature, and an invaluable source of quality and yield traits for crop improvement today and tomorrow. CGIAR policy first expressed a commitment to conserve the collections in trust for the global community in In 1994, the Centres formalized their long-term commitment and trustee role in agreements signed with FAO. The new International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, adopted in 2001, calls on the Centres to sign new agreements with the Treaty s Governing Body once it has been established. The management at each Centre has expressed its willingness to do so and thus the CGIAR System as a whole has affirmed its intention to provide for the conservation and public supply of the collections in perpetuity. In discharging their commitments as trustees of the collections, the Centres strive to meet the demands of providing an international genebank service and to fulfil the standards of operation expected under the agreements with FAO. Those agreements require the Centres to maintain the collections for the longterm, to ensure their safety duplication and to make the germplasm available together with essential information on its identity and characteristics. The genebanks distribute samples per year directly to users, 80% of which are national programmes in developing countries. The genebanks also serve Centre research programmes, an additional distribution of about samples a year that are used to enhance the productivity and sustainability of agriculture in the poorest nations. The agreements with FAO also require the Centres to make all information on the in-trust collections easily available without restriction, just as the germplasm itself is available. The Systemwide Information Network for Genetic Resources (SINGER) was established under the auspices of SGRP to help the Centres meet these responsibilities. SINGER links the databases of the 11 CGIAR genebanks and provides one-stop public access on the Web to data on the identity, source, characteristics, performance and distribution of material in the collections (see page 12). Much more than a database, SINGER is a mechanism for collaboration and efficiency in information management within the CGIAR System and networking with partners. 5 Upgrading the genebanks of the CGIAR

10 6 Upgrading the genebanks of the CGIAR Barcoding is one of the new technologies that CIP has developed to streamline genebank operations. J. Cherfas/IPGRI The need In 1998 the External Programme and Management Review of SGRP expressed its concern that funding constraints had severely limited the ability of the Centres to carry out the recommendations of an earlier review that had identified opportunities for the CGIAR genebanks to improve their services. This led SGRP to carry out a study to assess the costs of fully upgrading the operations of the 11 Future Harvest genebanks and of maintaining them to the best possible standards (see SGRP Annual Report 2002, page 14). The study found that a single injection of almost US$21 million to the annual operating budget of about US$7 million would enable the System s genebanks to fully and effectively meet the standards expected under the FAO agreements. The upgrading programme In 2003 SGRP, working closely with the individual Centres and under the guidance of the Center Directors Committee of the CGIAR, prepared and submitted a proposal to the World Bank to justify an immediate investment to address the most pressing upgrading activities. Each Centre and SINGER prepared, prioritized and costed capital items and programmatic activities (which were developed under the guidance of an external advisor, Dr Henry Shands, Director of the USDA s National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation) to address shortcomings and backlogs in essential conservation operations over a three-year timeframe. The Bank s strategic support is a major contribution to enabling the Future Harvest genebanks to meet their obligations as global public goods, which is particularly important in the context of the new International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The priority was to provide equipment, staff and funds to upgrade essential operations to conserve and make available the plant collections (see box). The goal is to remove limitations in facilities and to address bottlenecks and backlogs in processing and testing, storage and safety back-up duplication, regeneration and characterization, documentation, and the sustainability, in terms of staff and budget, of the upgraded operations. SGRP and the Centres have committed themselves to increasing System-wide coherence and collaboration in carrying out the upgrading. For example, there is an initiative to streamline and accelerate safety duplication of the collections, starting with those based in Africa. Centres will house each others safety duplicates, using other genebanks around the world where this is easier or more secure. For example, IITA now holds the WARDA rice collection in long-term storage. At the outbreak of the crisis in Côte d Ivoire, WARDA took rapid action to ensure that all germplasm and data were safely backed-up outside of the country. Regeneration and other essential activities are being

11 Upgrading will allow genebanks to produce more disease-free material. Here plant quarantine officers are inspecting cowpea accessions to ensure that all viral contamination has been removed. IITA 7 Upgrading the genebanks of the CGIAR undertaken at IITA, pending stabilization of the situation. A detailed monitoring and evaluation process was built into the project. The genetic resources units and budget offices at each Centre have to monitor their implementation of the upgrading plans and report each year on progress and expenditures to the SGRP. The SGRP and Henry Shands, as external reviewer, constitute the mechanism for progress and accounting and will provide progress reports to the Centre Directors and to the World Bank. expected outcomes of the upgrading Physical security of the collections improved Fully functional and secure storage facilities meeting international standards of conservation Duplication of collections in off-site safety back-up storage Viability and genetic integrity of the germplasm accessions ensured Removal of backlogs in the processing, testing, storage and regeneration of materials Field operations at prescribed standards for isolation, pollination, and timeliness of harvest and processing of materials Effective genebank management systems in place Quality standards for germplasm distribution met Accurate identification of accessions with essential taxonomic, passport, and phenotypic information Appropriate phytosanitary status for germplasm transfer Public access to all available information on the collections through SINGER

12 8 Upgrading the genebanks of the CGIAR Progress and next steps The World Bank approved the proposal in early 2003 and at the end of March the Centres received the funding. They immediately started to purchase equipment and hired additional staff. Monitoring indicates that the Centres made significant progress during 2003 and were on course to fulfil the aims of the project by the end of The equipment needed to secure and maintain the viability and genetic integrity of the collections is in place or scheduled to be in service by mid For example, ICARDA and IITA have new seed stores that will provide the increased storage capacity they urgently need. Most Centres have renovated or expanded their ability to dry seeds and to test viability and plant health, allowing them to accelerate the preparation of accessions for storage. In 2003 CIAT, CIMMYT, ICARDA, ICRISAT and IRRI between them prepared more than accessions for storage. The Centres have also already made important inroads into the backlog of germplasm awaiting storage, testing, and regeneration. This has improved the physical security of their collections and the viability, health and genetic integrity of the germplasm. In 2003, the Centres collectively regenerated more than accessions and, as an example of improved germplasm health, CIP produced 813 potato clones that were free from all known viruses. The standards of germplasm availability are being improved, and public access to information on the collections has been enhanced through SINGER. While the support will significantly help the Centres genebanks to fulfil their global responsibilities, few will be brought fully up to international standards in all areas. Because the initial proposal was limited to the very highest priority needs, some important activities and capital needs identified in previous assessments could not be addressed. Aware of this, SGRP is developing a further proposal for submission in Wheat wild relatives being evaluated by ICARDA at Tel Hadya. Characterization, which improves the usefulness of accessions, will be enhanced thanks to the upgrade. A.B. Damania/ICARDA

13 GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST moves forward Many of the world s most important national, regional and international crop diversity collections are seriously under-funded, jeopardizing the ongoing security of agriculture and the world s ability to feed itself. In response, the Global Crop Diversity Trust is seeking to create an endowment to support the world s most important crop collections in perpetuity. The Trust is an initiative of IPGRI on behalf of the Future Harvest Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Dr Geoffrey Hawtin has been appointed Interim Executive Secretary of the Global Crop Diversity Trust. R. Raymond/IPGRI Efforts to establish the Global Crop Diversity Trust got underway in earnest in 2003 with the creation of an interim executive board of trustees, the appointment of an interim chief executive and the resolution of many of the governance issues that have been under consideration by IPGRI, FAO and other stakeholders in the Trust since the initiative was launched. The Directors-General of FAO and IPGRI appointed an Interim Panel of Eminent Experts in development, agriculture and science in late 2002 (see box, page 11). This panel acts as an interim executive board, and has been tasked with the establishment of the Trust. Dr Geoffrey Hawtin was appointed Interim Executive Secretary of the Trust in September on the completion of his term of office as Director General of IPGRI. Hawtin will provide leadership to the Trust until the appointment of a permanent Executive Secretary, which is expected to take place in mid The Interim Panel held its first meeting in February 2003 to consider legal options and rules of governance for the Trust and to draft ethical guidelines for the receipt, management, and disbursement of funds. At a second meeting in October 2003 the Panel agreed the text of an agreement to establish the Trust as an independent organization under international law and approved the Trust s constitution. The Panel further agreed that the establishment agreement would come into legal force once it had been signed by seven countries from five FAO regions. The constitution and establishment agreement were sent by the Directors-General of FAO and IPGRI to the governments of all FAO member countries and to countries that have signed IPGRI s Establishment Agreement, inviting them to sign the agreement. As described in the constitution, the Trust will be governed by an Executive Board with up to 13 members and by a Donor Council. The Donor Council is made up of the largest donors to the Trust drawn from several categories, such as developed country donors, developing country 9 Global Crop Diversity Trust moves forward

14 10 Global Crop Diversity Trust moves forward donors, foundations, the private sector, and so on. The Council plays an important role in Trust governance, particularly with regard to financial matters. Four Board members will be appointed by the Donor Council and four by the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The CGIAR and FAO each have the right to appoint a Board member, as parents of the Trust, and the Executive Secretary serves on the Board ex officio. The Board itself can appoint an additional two members to ensure adequate geographical distribution and diversity of membership. An important step forward in the governance of the Trust was the approval by the Panel of a Draft Relationship Agreement between the Governing Body of the International Treaty and the Trust. This draft will be submitted for their consideration to the Governing Body of the International Treaty and to the Executive Board of the Trust at the first meetings of each of these bodies. Under the terms of the Trust s constitution, the Treaty s Governing Body provides overall policy guidance to the Global Crop Diversity Trust. The Trust in turn is responsible for reporting to the Governing Body of the Treaty on a regular basis. The Interim Executive Secretary appointed a joint FAO IPGRI Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to advise him on technical matters arising from the work of the Trust. Chief among these has been the establishment of mechanisms for identifying crop diversity collections that are eligible for funding by the Trust. With assistance from TAG, and input from an informal meeting of ex situ conservation experts held at Wye College, England, in May, as well as the Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources (ICWG-GR, SGRP s Steering Committee) the Trust has adopted a process for developing crop and regional conservation strategies to assist in the identification of potential grantees. The process to develop the conservation strategies will be highly consultative and involve all relevant stakeholders. The strategies will serve to govern and guide the allocation of funds to the neediest and most globally important crop diversity collections. Mechanisms have also been put in place for the effective operation of the Trust s Secretariat, with staff posted at FAO headquarters in Rome and at IPGRI With long-term support from the Trust, the diversity in globally important collections of crops such as maize will still be available to future generations of farmers and breeders. Left: CIMMYT Right: J. Cherfas/IPGRI

15 headquarters in Maccarese for a period of up to 5 years. Once the Secretariat has been fully established, the Trust will call for and consider bids from governments to host the Secretariat on a permanent basis a process that could take some time to negotiate. By the end of 2003, the Trust had received firm pledges amounting to about US$40 million from developing and developed country governments and foundations. Discussions are ongoing with many other potential donors. Funds have been raised for all three main areas of the Trust s work: the Endowment Fund to support the on-going longterm maintenance of crop diversity collections; capacity building and upgrading support to genebanks; and support for the operations of the Trust itself. 11 Global Crop Diversity Trust moves forward interim panel of eminent experts for the establishment of the global crop diversity trust Chair: Ambassador Fernándo Gerbasi (Venezuela) Chair of the Interim Committee for the implementation of the International Treaty Andrew Bennett (United Kingdom) Executive Director, Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Lukas Brader (Netherlands) Former Director General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria Lewis Coleman (United States) President, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Tewolde Gebre Egziabher (Ethiopia) Director General, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopia Geoffrey C. Hawtin (United Kingdom/Canada) Interim Executive Secretary, the Global Crop Diversity Trust Chebet Maikut (Uganda) President, Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) and Chair, International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) Committee on Science and Technology Mohammad H. Roozitalab (Iran) Deputy Director General, Agricultural Research and Education Organization, Iran Setijati Sastrapradja (Indonesia) Senior Scientist, Indonesian Institute of Sciences Ismail Serageldin (Egypt) Director, New Library of Alexandria, Egypt Walter Fust (Switzerland) Director General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

16 12 Adding value to information with SINGER adding value to information with singer SINGER, the Systemwide Information Network for Genetic Resources, offers a gateway to knowledge about agricultural biodiversity. Such knowledge is crucial if the vast biodiversity that underpins food and agriculture is to be used effectively in the fight against hunger and poverty. Genebanks around the world hold huge collections of crop diversity, with the Alliance of Future Harvest Centres holding the largest collections of crops important for the poorest people. These collections gain enormously in value if farmers, breeders and researchers can get easy access not only to the material itself, but also to information about it. SINGER s role is to make information available, and it is committed to global information exchange by developing links with other information systems related to genetic resources. The SINGER model (essentially one of facilitating information access and exchange while leaving control of the information with individual providers) and the expertise, tools and infrastructure of the network are available to assist others to establish their own information networks. A major thrust of SINGER s work in 2003 was to give support to the development of information networks. SINGER provided the model for and supported the development of EURISCO, a Web-based searchable catalogue that holds data on almost one million accessions of plant diversity held by European countries (see box, page 14). In addition to using SINGER s tools and expertise in scientific computing, the EURISCO project called on SINGER staff to help conduct three sub-regional training workshops. what singer does SINGER provides public access through the Internet to detailed information on the individual samples in the collections of plant genetic resources held by the Future Harvest Centres. It allows dispersed and independently managed databases of information about genetic resources to be searched simultaneously through a single entry point. Users can query SINGER on the identity, source, characteristics, performance and distribution to users of accessions in the collections. They can search all collections by crop, by taxonomy, by geography, by acquisition or by transfer. Or they can focus on the collections in one Centre or of one crop and query data on the characteristics and performance of the samples. The user interface offers many ways of querying the databases, and integrates mapping (global, regional and country level), statistical (mean, variance and standard deviation) and graphical features (scatter and distribution plots). These features help users to make accurate and targeted searches for specific information and crop samples.

17 h t t p : / / w w w. s i n g e r. c g i a r. o r g SINGER gives access to information about samples like these sorghum seeds, making the samples much more useful to farmers and breeders. IPGRI Also in 2003, a project began to make the database of the vegetable collection held by the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) available on the Internet. The AVRDC genebank holds more than accessions of 334 different species from 151 countries. This represents the most diverse collection of vegetable germplasm in the world, with genetic resources that are especially important to the food security, nutrition and livelihoods of poor people in developing countries. SINGER is helping to make information about AVRDC s collections more accessible, so that farmers, breeders and researchers worldwide can make better use of vegetable genetic resources in their fight against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. SINGER is helping AVRDC to expand and modernize its genebank management system, in the process making it easier for curators to enter data on characterization, distribution, viability and other important information. The new system will handle up to 35 different crop species, which makes the database structure and search modules more complex. However, with the new system tested and in place, work is moving to making the information accessible over the Internet, and the project is well on target to be completed by the end of Through these developments and its ongoing work to implement crop information networks for barley (with ICARDA) and wheat (with CIMMYT), SINGER is becoming an important contributor to the development of global information systems on plant genetic resources. During the year, SINGER became a major player in an important initiative of the CGIAR System, namely the Generation Challenge Programme. This Challenge Programme brings together three sets of partners the Future Harvest Centres of the CGIAR, advanced research institutes (ARIs), and national agricultural research systems (NARS) in developing countries to deliver the fruits of the genomics revolution to resource-poor farmers. SINGER is helping 13 Adding value to information with SINGER

18 14 Adding value to information with SINGER SINGER s expertise is helping the Generation Challenge Program to integrate molecular data with other information about accessions. A. Sanchez/CIMMYT the Generation Challenge Programme to associate classic genetic resources information, such as where an accession was collected and what its characteristics are, with molecular and genetic data and with a broader range of biological information. SINGER brings its experience of the harmonization of data standards, in order to facilitate exchange of data, to both initiatives, which will further add value to genetic resources by making it easier for farmers, breeders and researchers to access useful material and information. a window on europe s plant genetic resources EURISCO is a searchable catalogue of ex situ collections of plant genetic resources in Europe, available on the World Wide Web. It was launched in September 2003 and offers researchers around the world a single entry-point to information on the plant collections held by member countries in genebanks, representing more than accessions in 41 European countries. It is composed of, and updated with, data from national inventories of plant genetic resources (PGR) accessions maintained ex situ. Building EURISCO has been a team effort. Each member country nominated a focal person for its national inventory of PGR. The focal person was responsible for coordinating the development of the national inventory and providing those data to EURISCO. SINGER developed the technical infrastructure for EURISCO, including the database structure, the uploading and data validation mechanisms and the creation of the Web site and on-line search facility. The central infrastructure of EURISCO is based on open source software, a strategic choice that allows national focal points to benefit from the development of EURISCO in their national implementation. SINGER staff trained national focal points in data manipulation and in Web-enabling their national inventories in a series of technical workshops that were held in EURISCO is maintained by IPGRI on behalf of the European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources Networks (ECP/GR) and is hosted by the SINGER scientific computing unit at IPGRI headquarters in Maccarese. More information is available at:

19 facilitating research on agricultural biodiveristy A proposal to establish a Facilitation Unit for Agricultural Biodiversity Research is one of the most important outcomes of a series of efforts to ensure that natural resources are used effectively to boost productivity and enhance food security, especially in marginal areas. A fundamental challenge for developing countries over the next decades is to increase food production and improve livelihoods in a manner that is ecologically sustainable, does not increase vulnerability, and is profitable for farmers in these countries. This challenge, embedded in the Millennium Development Goals, will require farmers and scientists to make use of the biodiversity present in agricultural ecosystems to increase productivity, resilience and sustainability and to provide key ecosystem services, such as pollination, soil fertility and pest control, in a profitable manner. Such an approach will need to recognize that the diversity of plant and animal species maintained in traditional farming systems, and the knowledge associated with managing these resources, constitute key assets of the rural poor. Indeed, in marginal and difficult farming conditions these assets are especially important. Meeting this challenge will require a new level of knowledge of the biodiversity in production systems. How does it work and what benefits does it deliver? How do the various components of that biodiversity for example crops, animals, fish, agroforestry species, pollinators and so on interact to support healthy ecosystem function and improved production? How do changes to species affect the delivery of benefits? The Vth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) noted (Decision V/5) that understanding of the underlying causes of the loss of agricultural biodiversity is limited, as is understanding of the consequences of such loss for the functioning of agricultural ecosystems. Moreover, the assessments of the various components are conducted separately; there is no integrated assessment of agricultural biodiversity as a whole. Our understanding of the ways in which diversity could optimally benefit production is even more limited. Over the past few years, agricultural and conservation 15 Facilitating research on agricultural biodiversity Farmers in the Andes make use of within-species diversity to help them combat potato blight and other pests and diseases. CIP

20 16 Facilitating research on agricultural biodiversity Traditional rice paddies harbour a wide range of species, contributing to the overall production of the system. CIMMYT research workers and others have become increasingly concerned to address this knowledge gap, and several research activities and new initiatives on specific aspects of biodiversity maintenance and management in agriculture have been undertaken. There have also been important discussions on the approaches that need to be adopted and priority areas of research and development work. The Agricultural Biodiversity Programme of Work of the CBD, adopted at COPV and led by FAO, has provided a valuable framework for these discussions. Workshop on agricultural biodiversity The involvement of SGRP in the Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) initiative of the CGIAR (see SGRP Annual Report 2000, page 20) drew attention to the important role of agricultural biodiversity in the sustainability of agricultural production systems. At its February 2003 Steering Committee meeting SGRP tasked IPGRI to organize a workshop on Managing Agricultural Biodiversity for Sustainable Development. The workshop was held at the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi from 23 to 25 October More than 60 participants attended, from CGIAR and non-cgiar research programmes working on different aspects of the maintenance and use of agricultural biodiversity and with a range of backgrounds in biological and agricultural sciences, economics, social anthropology and social sciences. The workshop brought together those concerned with diversity in animal, fish and crop production and those concerned with such related aspects as soil fertility, pollinators, and pest and disease management. Half of the participants were from outside the CGIAR System, representing not only the scientific community from the South and the North, but also stakeholders and donors. The workshop aimed to explore connections and interactions between different components of the agricultural ecosystem from the perspective of biodiversity management and use, and to provide opportunities to develop linkages between research groups. The participants recognized that an increasing number of programmes and projects are actively working on the maintenance and use of different components of agricultural biodiversity. For that very reason there is a need to enhance information flows and linkages between different groups, to strengthen collaboration among them,

21 Livestock, like these sheep in northern Nigeria, play an important role in converting inedible plants into animal products and their manure enriches the fields. S. Tarawali/ILRI 17 Facilitating research on agricultural biodiversity and to engage a wider community of national research programmes, NGOs, farmers and communities in the development of a strengthened research endeavour. The workshop further agreed that a Facilitation Unit would help to meet that need. This unit would: act as the focal point for any agricultural biodiversity research group; build a repository of knowledge and information; catalyze the creation of an inventory of research work and expertise; stimulate the development of communities of practice in key areas; promote action research; support the development of linkages around common research issues; share ideas for project proposals and funding information; liaise with established groups such as the CBD Secretariat and FAO. The proposed unit would work within the current approaches and frameworks provided by the CBD Secretariat, FAO, the CGIAR System, civil society organizations active in this area and other relevant actors, and would seek to empower and not duplicate existing mechanisms supporting agricultural biodiversity research. It would promote awareness of how strengthened research on agricultural biodiversity will improve the lives of poor farmers, promote collaboration among different actors and prevent duplication of effort. It would also make information more widely available and identify gaps where fresh research would improve the value of agricultural biodiversity to improve livelihoods. After the workshop it was decided to hold a side event on agricultural biodiversity research during the meeting of the VIIth Conference of

22 18 Facilitating research on agricultural biodiversity the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Malaysia in February Delegates to COPVII were exposed to the workshop s ideas and conclusions and explored how better to mobilize efforts. There was strong endorsement from COP for the proposal to establish a Facilitation Unit, and this was formally reflected in its Decision VII/3 on the Agricultural Biological Diversity Programme of Work. (see box) With the workshop partners, FAO and CBD all endorsing the initiative, IPGRI and SGRP are now keen to seek the donor partnership that will allow the Facilitation Unit to be established. A concept note describing the objectives and activities of such a unit and the operating costs over a three-year period has been developed and submitted to various donors. If approved, the Facilitation Unit will probably be based at an appropriate location in a developing country. IPGRI will provide project management and an international Project Steering Committee will be established to oversee the work of the unit. decision VII/3 of the conference of the parties to the convention on biological diversity The Conference of the Parties Welcomes the future establishment of a facilitation unit for research on agricultural biodiversity by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute in association with other centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, civil society organizations and other research centres, as a contribution to the programme of work

23 a learning module for law and policy The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity have implications for how genebanks and breeding programmes manage collections and materials. They also require implementation in national laws, policies and regulations. And these in turn affect questions of access to genetic resources. A new learning module helps people who need to understand these and other legal agreements. SGRP, IPGRI and ISNAR (the International Service on National Agricultural Research, since April 2004 a programme of IFPRI) have produced a learning module on Law and Policy of Relevance to the Management of Plant Genetic Resources. The module introduces the most significant policy and legal agreements relevant to plant genetic resources and covers the impact of these conventions and treaties on the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. Its purpose is to help users to ensure that their governments and institutions are meeting legal requirements and are taking actions appropriate for the implementation of the agreements. The module was based on the results of an assessment of training needs carried out by ISNAR for SGRP in Roughly 200 national genetic resources programme managers and scientists from 121 countries worldwide identified national policy and programme developments for genetic resource conservation and use as their highest priority among training needs. The target audience for the module is people with practical management and policymaking responsibilities for plant genetic resources. The module is a very substantial and potentially highly valuable product that will assist national programmes and other partners to navigate the complex international agreements and policies that affect the management of genetic resources. It is intended to be used as a resource to train genetic resources managers and scientists and to increase their awareness and understanding of the impact of international agreements, laws and policies 19 A learning module for law and policy International treaties safeguard the traditional varieties and associated knowledge of which farmers, like this woman in Oaxaca, Mexico, make use. But they create a need for trained people to deal with their ramifications. A.M. Sanchez/CIMMYT

24 20 A learning module for law and policy content areas covered in the learning module: History of development of law and policy The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Centres of origin, distribution, interdependence and value Convention on Biological Diversity: Making access decisions International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Cross-cutting issues Development and improvement of genetic resources Participatory plant breeding and property rights Phytosanitary and biosafety measures Changing roles of private and public agricultural research and effects on use of, access to, and conservation of PGR Keeping up to date with developments in law and policy of relevance to the management of plant genetic resources The TRIPS Agreement and UPOV on the day-to-day operation of plant genetic resource programmes. The module contains practical exercises to reinforce users understanding of the impact and working of treaty law and policy in the types of situations that they can expect to face. Designed as a trainers tool, the module provides learning objectives, overheads, exercises, evaluation tools, Web links and a complete reading list of related references. Before finalizing the module the developers tested it at a workshop hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre in Bragdon, S., Fowler, C. and França Z. (eds). SGRP, IPGRI and ISNAR Law and Policy of Relevance to the Management of Plant Genetic Resources. Learning Module. International Service for National Agricultural Research, The Hague, The Netherlands.