Seed and Plant Genetic Resources

Assuring the supply of quality seeds and planting materials, including the widespread distribution of improved and new varieties, is a key factor for increasing agricultural productivity and food security, and is one of the priority activities of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Countries need to put in place effective seed policies and programmes, and ensure complementarity between governmental, parastatal, commercial and small-scale enterprises in plant breeding, quality seed and planting material production, and seed distribution.

Seed security is a major component of all FAO field projects dealing with seeds and planting materials improvement and production. External partners include national agricultural research systems (NARS) at country level and the crop-concerned centres of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), at international level. FAO's objective is to support the formulation of effective global seed policy and programmes by Member Countries required for well-functioning national seed production and supply sectors.

Conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources is crucial to improving crop production and achieving food and nutritional security. FAO is assisting Member Countries in implementing the Global Plan of Action which provides an important framework for strengthening national programmes on plant genetic resources, including the development of specific activities related to both policy and technical support to collection, conservation, regeneration, genetic enhancement and utilization, documentation and information management, as well as capacity building.

 

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