BSF project "Using modern biotechnologies to sustain food security in Pacific island countries"

While Pacific island countries conserve large collections of plant genetic resources of their principal food crops in the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) in Fiji, capacity to exploit their full potential is low due to inadequate resources for research and development. Given the absence of technology, a molecular facility and the current lack of capacity to develop molecular markers and screen collections for their genetic traits, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and its member states have hitherto relied on developed countries to provide research and development services. This Benefit-sharing project (Third Cycle) will build capacity at SPC to carry out plant genetic resource programs, primarily by establishing a facility for DNA fingerprinting with a view to harnessing biodiversity to strengthen crop production in the face of climate change. By focusing on core collections of edible aroids, taro breeding for leaf blight tolerance, monitoring in situ conservation of diverse genotypes, and salinity and drought tolerance in underutilised crops, the project will reduce vulnerability of farmers in Pacific island countries by increasing resilience to climate change and ensure food security through improved genetic resource management.