Collaborative research to assess germplasm for climate-change adaptation and food security in mountain areas of Albania

The Agricultural University of Tirana, through its Institute of Plant Genetic Resources and the Department of Crop Sciences and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2015 started an initiative to characterize and evaluate Albanian germplasm and to promote the sharing of benefits arising from the use of these resources. Core components of the collaborative research include: (1) identification of germplasm accessions from ex situ collections; (2) characterization and evaluation of stored and newly collected accessions; (3) identification of accessions of local crops resistant to climate change, pests and diseases; and (4) multiplication of identified accessions and the distribution of planting material to farmers. Results of this collaboration had improved the capacities of low-income farmers in mountain areas and staff of national institutions to better adapt to climate change; promoted conservation and utilization of locally adapted crop varieties; local seed systems were strengthened through on-farm conservation of PGRFA; and enhanced food security of poor farmers living in the mountain areas.