New Global Assessment of Plant Genetic Resources Gets Underway

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are critical for achieving and maintaining global food security and nutrition. In order to monitor progress in the conservation and use of these essential resources, countries around the world have agreed to undertake periodic assessments of the status of PGRFA. Such assessments are prepared through a participatory, country-driven process. The preparation of a new assessment, The Third Report on the State of the World’s PGRFA, is now underway. National PGRFA programs and their stakeholders have the opportunity to highlight main accomplishments, changes, trends, gaps and needs with respect to PGRFA in situ and ex situ conservation, on-farm management and sustainable use, including plant breeding and quality seed production and distribution, as well as institutional and human capacities.