Global Information System

Number of records: 235

161) Knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences between and among farming communities on the management and utilization of crops

Between 2001 and 2005, the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), together with several governmental and non-governmental organizations, facilitated knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences between and among 472 custodian farmers from 69 communities, comprising 10 administrative regions participating in an in situ conservation project of INIA. The objective was to share experiences and exchange knowledge systems related to the different management practices and important utilization of 11 priority native crops in order to enhance knowledge and prevent its ‘erosion’. The knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences took place at INIA Agricultural Experiment Stations located in 10 administrative regions, selected sites for the in situ conservation project of INIA, also identified as ‘micro-centres of genetic diversity’. These regions are, characterized by a high diversity of native crops and their crop wild relatives, in addition to cultural wealth, including in terms of traditional knowledge and customary management practices relating to PGRFA. As an outcome, INIA compiled an inventory of native crops and registry of traditional knowledge and reported 8,867 usages. The described measure is an effective way to re-valorize traditional knowledge for use by the farmers themselves and for in situ conservation activities, in line with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the ITPGRFA.

Category: 4.Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA and protection of traditional knowledge

Type of measure/practice: Technical

162) Securing local seed systems through Farmers’ Seed Clubs

Empowerment of farmers has been an ongoing undertaking and objective in Mekong Delta since 1996, based on various projects and partnerships. One such initiative, implemented by the Mekong Delta Development Research Institute (MDI), in collaboration with Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), included capacity development in rice breeding and seed production through experiential learning in Farmer Field Schools. As a result, over 300 seed clubs were formed across the Mekong Delta, which produced and distributed 158,000 tons of seeds of 77 rice varieties in 2018, benefitting 24,000 households. They supply at least 35% of the seed in the region and are recognized by farmers and local government authorities, such as Seed Centers, Extension Centers and the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) as important suppliers of good quality seeds. Furthermore, they developed 359 rice varieties, of which four have been registered and certified nationally, while five are in the process of registration. The contributions of seed clubs to improving seed systems and encouraging participation of individuals and communities in local seed production and distribution caused the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to issue Decision 35/2008/QĐ-BNN, encouraging local authorities to support community-based on-farm seed management.

Category: 6.Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through community seed banks, seed networks and other measures improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.

Type of measure/practice: Technical; Administrative

163) SeedNL partnership

Since 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Plantum, the Dutch breeding and seed sector association have started to develop a partnership under the flag of ‘SeedNL’. The partnership will focus on increasing access to and use of quality seed as a basis and catalyst for improving agricultural productivity in developing countries and emerging economies. Besides, this the partnership will share knowledge and experience and work based on a joint agenda. SeedNL aims to sustainably contribute to reducing poverty, promoting inclusive green growth and resilience to climate change.

Category: 7.Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and variety selection

Type of measure/practice: Technical

164) Awards for farmer-breeder who contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA

Since 2017, the Government of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, has created awards with the aim to encourage and acknowledge farmers’ participation in the conservation and use of local germplasm, including breeding activities. Two categories of awards are available: one for farmer-breeder and a second one for local government units where a high number of local varieties has been registered and utilized and/or developed. Farmers and local governments from all provinces of Indonesia qualify for nomination. As a result, farmers’ active participation in collecting, conserving and using germplasm for breeding activities has become more attractive for farmers and local governments alike.

Category: 1.Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’ contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers

Type of measure/practice: Administrative; Others

165) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)

The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)-Global system, originally developed in 1986 and updated and expanded in 2011, is a suite of software programmes for managing plant germplasm-associated information, facilitating plant genebank workflows, and providing a public interface for users to access plant germplasm and information. Users can search for accession information via its public website, fill a shopping cart with their desired plant germplasm, and have it delivered freely and without restrictions for use in plant production, research and breeding. In fact, in 2018 alone, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) distributed over 280,000 samples to fill more than 700 individual orders.