AG:GCP/RAS/186/JPN Field Document No. 2006/05 FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME FINAL REPORT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING MECHANISM (NISM) ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION (GPA) FOR THE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry Written by Solita R. Sicat, Nestor C. Altoveros and Teresita H. Borromeo January, 2007
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FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMMEneed to undertake in vitro conservation, cryopreservation and ultra-dry seed storage, the need to expand ex situ conservation activities for other
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AG:GCP/RAS/186/JPN Field Document No. 2006/05
FAO/GOVERNMENT COOPERATIVE PROGRAMME
FINAL REPORT ON
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING MECHANISM (NISM) ON
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL PLAN OF ACTION (GPA) FOR THE
CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry
Written by Solita R. Sicat, Nestor C. Altoveros and Teresita H. Borromeo
January, 2007
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Acknowledgement
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) would like to acknowledge the different stakeholders who participated in the endeavor of establishing the database of the Philippines’ plant genetic resources holdings through the use of the FAO’s created information system, the National Information Sharing Mechanism (NISM). These are, 1) the different National Crop Research and Development Centers of BPI namely, BPI-Baguio NCRDC, BPI-Davao NCRDC, BPI-La Granja GNCRDC, BPI-Los Baños NCRDC, BPI-Guimaras NMRDC, and its Central Office divisions, BPI-Crop Research Division (BPI-CRD), BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) and BPI-Crop Production Division (BPI-CRD); 2) Central Mindanao University (CMU); 3) DA-Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-STIARC); 4) DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB); 5) Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU); 6) Department of Agronomy, U.P.L.B (DOA-UPLB), 7) Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (MMSU); 8) National Abaca Research Center-Leyte State University (NARC); 9) National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory-IPB (IPB-NPGRL); 10) National Tobacco Administration (NTA); 11) Philippine Coconut Authority - Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC); 12) PhilIppine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice); 14) Philippines Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops); 15) Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE); 16) Sugar Regulatory Administration, La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SRA-LGAREC) and 17) Western Philippines University (WPU). These stakeholders, through their representatives, coordinated with BPI until this final report was submitted to FAO.
BPI would also like to give its sincerest gratitude to the following: To Mr. Ceferino A. Baniqued who led the implementation of the project until
his retirement in 2005. To Ms. Ma. Leah H. Villavicencio and Ms. Visitacion Huelgas who acted as
facilitators in the three National Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshops conducted by BPI for this project;
To the Japanese Government for their funding support to the FAO
GCP/RAS/186/JPN Project; And last but not the least to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations for the technical support they have provided in the implementation of the project.
To all of you, thank you very much.
National Focal Person GCP/RAS/186/JPN Project, Philippines
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Executive Summary
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Philippines undertook the FAO/Government Cooperative project Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific Region to draw/assess the current status of PGRFA in order to fill information gaps, to identify their needs and priorities for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA, to improve national capacity in monitoring PGRFA activities, and to share with the region successful experiences in the implementation of GPA priority activity areas related to in situ conservation and on farm management.
A total of 35 participants from 32 member-institutions of the Philippine National Network on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture participated in three national consultation workshops and meetings on the Establishment of the National Information Sharing Mechanism for the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (NISM-GPA).
The first consultation workshop in 2003 aimed to develop a strategy for the establishment of the NISM, define the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders in the establishment of the NISM, review and revise, if necessary, the information in the “common tables” of the reporting format and recommend adoption of the information gathered/generated, develop a plan of action for implementation and in the process, assessed the status of the PGRFA Network and determine its needs and priorities; and train SHs on the use of NISM-GPA computer application software.
The second meeting in 2004 aimed to start the establishment of the national GPA-NISM, further define roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and the national focal person, discuss and distribute the reporting format and to agree on the kind of information to gather and share, train SHs on the use of the NISM-GPA computer application and distribute the SH’s version of the NISM-GPA computer application for the SHs to answer the questions and update the information to the Common Tables, and develop and agree on a work plan for gathering the needed information and the submission of data for compilation and submission to FAO.
The third meeting in 2006 aimed to review and finalize the draft reports for submission to FAO (the Draft Report of the Establishment of the NISM on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Philippines, and the Draft Report of the Current State and Future Priority for the Conservation and Utilization of PGRFA in the Philippines), discuss achievements, constraints and suggestion to improve the NISM, and discuss the next steps and future plans in the implementation of the NISM by agreeing on a strategy for regular updating and maintenance in continuity of the NISM in the Philippines, including the use of the
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NISM webpage for sharing information and for publishing the work, and identifying needs for the successful establishment of the NISM.
A Steering Committee was created by the NFP for the smooth implementation
of the project, consisting of the core team members of the PNNPGRFA, BPI staff and a representative from a non-government organization.
Surveying and inventorying of PGRFA conducted by five institutions on 26 crops using qualitative and quantitative survey techniques showed that most of the traditional varieties of crops are threatened due to the introduction of formal variety releases, land conversion, habitat and human destruction, tan barking and charcoal making in mangrove, weather disturbances, local/internal conflict, lack of knowledge on proper utilization of forest resources and expansion of ecotourism areas. To address these concerns, it was suggested that establishment of an information system for the survey and inventory of PGRFA and training on computer operation and information systems were needed.
Projects on on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA of 9 crops were conducted. There was low integration of on-farm management into the national programme, and limitations to on-farm management were attributed to insufficient seed or planting material, insufficient number of staff, insufficient financial support, and on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA not being a national priority.
Activities to assist farmers in disaster situations were led by the Department of Agriculture and were also conducted by government and non-government organizations. The constraints identified were insufficient financial support and unavailability of the germplasm for reintroduction and restoration.
There are several legislations in place to promote the in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild plants for food production. Funding and capacity builidng were identified as necessary for the activity.
Twenty-two stakeholders conducted 74 projects that sustained existing ex situ collections. Twenty-one stakeholders maintain 50,082 accessions of 851 taxa, with 2,222 accessions safety-duplicated. Sixteen non-stakeholder agencies hold 122,880 accessions of 265 taxa, with the International Rice Research Institute holding the overwhelming majority at 116,28 accessions of Oryza. Conservation strategies include field genebanks (15 stakeholders), seed stores (7 stakeholders), in vitro (6 stakeholders) and pollen (1 stakeholder). Stock inventories and viability monitoring are performed regularly, and 6 stakeholders use computer-based information systems. Major constraints were funding, insufficient staff, lack of training and facilities and occurrence of pests and diseases. Characterization and evaluation, maintenance of field genebanks, collecting in areas with high enetic erosion and retrieval of lost collections should be given attention.
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Six projects performed regeneration of PGRFA using standard protocols. The high cost of regeneration was a major constraint.
A total of 12 collecting missions were done by 6 stakeholders on 9 crops. Priority species for collecting were identified. There is no policy for targeted collecting of rare, endangered or threatened species.
To expand ex situ conservation activities, national network has identified the need to undertake in vitro conservation, cryopreservation and ultra-dry seed storage, the need to expand ex situ conservation activities for other wild food species, and inventory and collection of threatened species.
Seventeen stakeholders conducted 40 ex situ projects on characterization and evaluation of PGRFA in 53 taxa. Capacity to perform morphological traits characterization was reported by 17 stakeholders, molecular markers characterization by 5 stakeholders, abiotic stress evaluation by 6 stakeholders, biotic stress evaluation by 9 stakeholders, and biochemical evaluation by 3 stakeholders. collaboration and complementation between researchers, farmers and genebanks to enhance exchange of characterization and evaluation information should be promoted, and evaluation for traits of economic importance must be given priority.
Twenty projects on improvement of 7 crops for yield, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to abiotic stresses and improved quality were reported. Eighteen projects were conducted by 11 SHs involving more than 16 taxa, on assessing/monitoring intra-specific diversity in crops, increasing intra-specific diversity in crops, assessing/ monitoring diversity in agricultural systems, increasing diversity in agricultural systems and participatory diversity methods application. Major constraints and needs were Obstacles to officially release heterogeneous material as cultivars, awareness on the utilization of lesser known PGRFA, need to consolidate available information on uses and value of lesser known PGRFA and develop strategies for their promotion, and need to develop markets for local products of farmers.
Seven projects to develop or commercialize under-utilized crops or species, local varieties and/or 'diversity-rich' products were conducted by 9 stakeholders, involving crop improvement, seed distribution, improving processing, market development and public awareness. The needs identified include research and development on value addition and diversification for indigenous under-utilized PGRFA, analysis of food and medicinal compositions of indigenous plants, and research on product development of underutilized crop species.
The Seed Industry Act promotes the development and expansion of the local seed systems for cereal, legumes, rootcrops, certain vegetables, fruits, industrial crops and ornamentals. Listings of registered varieties could be found in a catalogue that gives information on the taxon name, target agro-ecology, characteristics regarding reactions to pests and diseases and grain quality. Seed
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quality standards like physical purity, germinability and others are applied in cereals, legumes and vegetables. The government prescribes and supports the production and distribution of planting materials of the registered varieties. However, there is no government incentive for quality seed production of local varieties and under-utilized crops. The present seed certification system is limited only to registered varieties, and does not accommodate farmers’ and traditional varieties.
Fourteen stakeholders conducted 27 projects on 12 crops focusing on seed production, distribution, processing, storage, quality control, participatory community-based activities and linkages between formal and informal seed sectors. The identified needs include the integration of the informal seed production system into the formal seed system and vice versa.
Developing value-added processing of 'diversity-rich' products for commercial purposes was done on 9 crops. Constraints identified include uniformity standards in the country that discourage 'diversity rich' products, insufficient seed or planting material, and emphasis on modern cultivars of staple crops.
There were two initiatives to build a national PGRFA rpogramme in the Philippines. The National Committee on Plant Genetic Resources, set the directions and policies on plant genetic resources conservation and management. The PNNPGRFA operationalized a system of sustainable conservation and use of PGRFA.
Nine local institutions working on PGRFA have collaborated with 12 crop networks to conduct 17 projects.
There is no standardized PGRFA data management and information system in the country. Nine stakeholders developed/ used different information systems. Constraints include lack of staff, training and equipment.
There is limited development of monitoring and early warning systems for loss of PGRFA on 3 crops. Funding is the primary constraint.
A total of 200 staff of 18 stakeholders participated in 69 training courses on different aspects of PGRFA conservation and management. Identified training needs include molecular characterization, PGR enhancement, diversity assessment, core collections, and surveying.
There is no formal programme in the country to promote public awareness of the value of PGRFA. Twelve stakeholders developed public awareness materials for PGRFA.
The identified constraints to the improvement of the national information sharing mechansism include equipment, personnel and logistics. Achievements include the electronic form of PGR data, and close collaboration and information
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sharing among stakeholders.
The BPI commits to continue the maintenance and dissemination of the NISM, support training of representatives of stakeholders, and seek funding mechanisms to support the implementation of the NISM.
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Table of Contents Title PageTitle page iAcknowledgement iiExecutive Summary iiiTable of Contents viiiList of Acronyms xiList of Figures xivList of Tables xvBackground Information 1Chapter 1 Overview of the Process for Establishing the Philippine National Information Sharing Mechanism on the Implementation of GPA
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Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand 2 Preparatory Activities for the First National Consultation on NISM
First Stakeholders’ Meeting 3
LOA/RAP/2004/01 5 Second SHs’ Meeting 5 Data Validation, Analysis and Writing of Reports 6Chapter 2 Participating Agencies 7Chapter 3 Steering Committee of the NISM-GPA and Flow of Information Provided By Stakeholders
13
Chapter 4 Highlights of Findings From the Data Gathered and Analyzed 15 A. In situ Conservation and Development Priority Area 1 Surveying and Inventorying Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture 15
Comments on surveying and inventorying PGRFA 15 Priority Area 2 Supporting On-Farm Management and
Improvement of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
16
Comments on promoting on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA
16
Priority Area 3 Assisting Farmers in Disaster Situations to Restore Agricultural Systems
17
Comments on the reintroduction of locally adapted germplasm and assisting farmers in the restoration of agricultural systems in the country following disaster
18
Priority Area 4 Promoting In Situ Conservation of Wild Crop Relatives and Wild Plants for Food Production
18
Comments on promoting in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild food plants
18
B. Ex Situ Conservation Priority Area 5 Sustaining Existing Ex Situ Collections 18 Priorities, needs and constraints to sustaining existing ex
situ collections 87
Priority Area 6 Regenerating Threatened Ex Situ Accessions 88
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Priorities, needs and constraints to regenerating ex situ accessions
90
Priority Area 7 Supporting Planned and Targeted Collecting of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
90
Priorities, needs and constraints to support planned and targeted collecting PGRFA
93
Priority Area 8 Expanding Ex Situ Conservation Activities 94 Priorities, needs and constraints to expanding ex situ
conservation activities 94
C. Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Priority Area 9 Expanding the Characterization, Evaluation
and Number of Core Collections to Facilitate Use 95
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 99 Priority Area 10 Increasing Genetic Enhancement and Base-
Broadening Efforts 99
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 101 Priority Area 11 Promoting Sustainable Agriculture through
Diversification of Crop Production and Broader Diversity in Crops
101
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 103 Priority Area 12 Promoting Development and
Commercialization of Under-Utilized Crops and Species 103
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 104 Priority Area 13 Supporting Seed Production and Distribution 104 Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 105 Priority Area 14 Developing New Markets for Local Varieties
and 'Diversity-Rich' Products 106
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation 108 D. Institutions and Capacity Building Priority Area 15 Building Strong National Programmes 108 Comments on opportunities, challenges, needs, constraints
and national priorities to establish and strengthen institutions and enhance national capacity to conserve and promote sustainable use of PGRFA
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Priority Area 16 Promoting Networks for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
109
Comments on promoting networks for PGRFA 111 Priority Area 17 Constructing Comprehensive Information
Systems for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 111
Comments on opportunities, challenges, needs, constraints and national priorities on developing comprehensive information systems for efficient management of crop diversity and its use
112
Priority Area 18 Developing Monitoring and Early Warning Systems for Loss of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
112
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Comment on developing and using early warning systems, their constraints and opportunities, and the extent of external support needed to develop and use appropriate early warning systems to monitoring genetic erosion of PGRFA and genetic vulnerability caused by this erosion in the country
113
Priority Area 19. Expanding and Improving Education and Training
113
Comments on establishing, improving and expanding training facilities on conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, and on the extent of external assistance needed to implement training and educational programmes in the country
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Priority Area 20 Promoting Public Awareness of the Value of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Conservation and Use
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CHAPTER 5 Achievements, Constraints and Suggestions for Improving the National Information Sharing Mechanism
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Constraints 120 Achievements 121 Feedback on the operationalization and Suggestions for Improving
the maintenance of NISM-GPA in the country 121
Feedbacks and Suggestions to FAO 122 On NISM establishment 122 a. NISM-GPA software 122 b. Guide Towards the National Information Sharing Mechanism
on the Implementation of the GPA and its establishment 122
c. GPA Implementation in Asia – a compilation of frequently asked questions using the computer application for the establishment of NISM-GPA
122
d. Indicators and Reporting Format for Monitoring the Implementation of GPA (CGRFA – 10/04/Inf.5)
123
e. Support provided by the project and FAO technical staff and collaborators
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CHAPTER 6 NEXT STEP AND FUTURE PLANS including plans of distributing the report and communicating its results
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ANNEXES 1 Program of the First National Consultation-Workshop 1252 List ff National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) Registered
Varieties 1994-2005 127
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List of Acronyms ADG - Assistant Director General AFMA - Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act ANSWER - Asian Network on Sweetpotato Genetic Resources APAN - Asia-Pacific Agro-Forestry Network APCC - Asia-Pacific Coconut Commission APINMAP - Asia-Pacific International Network on Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants AVNET - Asian Vegetable Network AVRDC - Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center BAPNET - Banana Asia Pacific Network BPI - Bureau of Plant Industry BPI-BNCRDC - BPI-Baguio National Crop Research and Development
Center BPI-CRD - BPI-Crop Research Division BPI-DNCRDC - BPI-Davao National Crop Research and Development
Center BPI-LGNCRDC - BPI-La Granja National Crop Research and Development
Center BPI-LGNCRDC - BPI-Los Baños National Crop Research & Development
Center BPI-NMRDC - BPI-National Mango Research and Development Center BPI-NSQCS - BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services BSU - Benquet State University CavSU - Cavite State University CAR - Cordillera Administrative Region CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity CBDC - Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation
Programme CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research CLSU - Central Luzon State University CMU - Central Mindanao University CODA - Cotton Development Administration COGENT - International Coconut Genetic Resources Network CONSERVE - Community-based Native Seeds Research Center CSU - Cagayan State University CTA - Chief Technical Advisor CVSCAFT - Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry
and Technology DA - Department of Agriculture DA-ARMMIARC - Department of Agriculture-Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center DA-STIARC - Department of Agriculture-Southern Tagalog Integrated
Agricultural Research Center (DA-STIARC)
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DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR-ERDB - DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau DENR-PAWB - DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau DMMMSU - Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University DNA - Dioxyribonucleic acid DOA-UPLB - Department Agronomy, UPLB DOST - Department of Science & Technology DUS - Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EVIARC - Eastern Visayas Agricultural Research Center FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAORAP - Food and Agriculture Organization Office for Asia and the
Pacific FCC - Farmers' Consultative Council GDMIS - Germplasm Data Management Information System GMO - Genetically Modified Organism GPA - Global Plan of Action GPS - Global Positioning System GSP - Girl Scouts of the Philippines INIBAP - International Network for Improvement of Banana and
Plantain INGER - International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice INSTAB - Institution Table IPB - Institute of Plant Breeding IPBHCRS - Instittute of Plant Breeding Highland Crops Research
Station IPB-NPGRL - IPB-National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory IPGRI - International Plant Genetic Resources Institute IRRI - International Rice Research Institute ISCAF - Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry ISTA - International Seed Testing Association ISU - Isabela State University ITPGRFA - International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture SRA-LGAREC - Sugar Regulatory Administration-La Granja Agricultural
Research Center LOA - Letter of Agreement MASIPAG - Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng
Agrikultura MMSU - Mariano Marcos State University MOA - Memorandum of Agreement MOOE - Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses MOU - Memorandum of Understanding NARC - National Abaca Research Center NFP - National Focal Person NISM - National Information Sharing Mechanism
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NTA - National Tobacco Administration NCPGR - National Committee on Plant Genetic Resources NCT - National Cooperative Testing NEAP - National Environmental Action Plan NGO - Non-Government Organization NPRCRTC - Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training
Center NSIC - National Seed Industry Council NSO - National Statistics Office OPV - Open-Pollinated Varieties PAES - Palawan Agricultural Experiment Station PCA-ZRC - Philippine Coconut Authority - Zamboanga Research
Center PDCC - Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council PERTAB - Contact Person Table PGR - Plant Genetic Resources PGRFA - Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture PhilRice - PhilIppine Rice Research Institute PhilRootcrops - Philippines Root Crop Research and Training Center PHILSURIN - Philippine Sugar Research Institute PICRI - Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute PNNPGRFA - Philippine National Network on Plant Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture PRA - Participatory Rural Approach PROTAB - Project Table PSIA - Philippine Seed Industry Association PSU - Palawan State University QSC - Quirino State College RECSEA-PGR - Regional Cooperation in Southeast Asia for Plant Genetic
Resources REFTAB - Reference Table RMTU - Ramon Magsaysay Technological University SEARICE - Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community
Empowerment SEP - Strategic Environmenatal Plan SH - Stakeholder SRA-LGAREC - Sugar Regulatory Administration-La Granja Agricultural
Research and Extension Center SSR - Simple Sequence Repeat TANSAO - Taro Network for Southeast Asia and Oceania TMV - Tobacco Mosaic Virus UPMin - University of the Philippines in Mindanao USM - University of Southern Mindanao UTFANET - Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits and Nuts Network WPU - Western Philippines University WTO - World Trade Organization
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List of Figures Title PageFigure 1 Flowchart of NISM-GPA Implementation and Members of the
Steering Committee 13
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List of Tables Title PageTable 1 Schedule of NISM implementation 4Table 2 Type of organizations and number of participants to the 2nd SHs Meeting
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Table 3 List of SHs’ submission of required tables for NISM implementation
14
Table 4 Projects and activities relating to sustaining ex situ collections carried out by the SHs
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Table 4a Distribution of projects and stakeholders per activity relating to sustaining ex situ collections
23
Table 5 Total number of accessions and accessions safety-duplicated at other genebanks
23
Table 5a Number of accessions of crop species held by SHs not participating in the NISM
61
Table 6 Type and conditions of germplasm conservation methods used by SHs
68
Table 7 Number of accessions stored in different storage conditions 70Table 8 Monitoring of ex situ collections by the different stakeholders through stock inventories, viability testing and genetic integrity monitoring
84
Table 9 Major constraints in implementing ex situ conservation activities
87
Table 10 Regeneration of ex situ PGR collections conducted by SHs (1997-2006).
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Table 11 Collected PGRFA accessions from collecting missions 90Table 12 Stakeholders’ need and capacity for research on improved methodologies for ex situ conservation
94
Table 13 Percent of accessions characterized and/or evaluated for the various types of descriptors
95
Table 14 Capacity of SHs to conduct germplasm characterization/evaluation
97
Table 15 Germplasm distributed by stakeholders 98Table 16 Capability of institutions to conduct crop improvement activities
100
Table 17 Programme/project/activity related to assessment or improvement of diversity within and among crops or crop production in which the SHs participate
101
Table 18 Projects conducted by the SHs related to the development or commercialization of under-utilized crops or species
103
Table 19 Major constraints in the country in making seed of new varieties of different crops available in the market
105
Table 20 Current market situation of different crops and number of local varieties with economic potential for new market development
107
Table 21 List of programme/project/activity carried out by SHs in collaboration with PGRFA networks
110
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Table 22 List of programme/project/activity conducted by SHs on the development of data and information management systems for PGRFA
112
Table 23 Trainings covering GPA priority area activities 113Table 24 List of topics considered to be a training priority not covered by any training program* in the national or regional level
117
Table 25 List of products developed, media used, audience targeted and topics covered in creating awareness on the value of PGRFA
119
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Background Information The Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the conservation and sustainable use of
plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is a reponse of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) where conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA were not elucidated. The GPA covers the subset of plant genetic resources pertaining specifically to food and agriculture. The Conference of Parties to the CBD at its Second Session in 1995 declared its support for the development of a Plan “for Food and Agriculture”. It provides a coherent framework for activities in the field of in situ and ex situ conservation, in sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources, as well as in institution- and capacity-building. It hopes to contribute to creating synergies among on-going activities, as well as more efficient use of available resources.
The GPA is a rolling plan, with programmes and activities aimed at filling in gaps, overcoming constraints and facing emergency situations identified in the FAO Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources. The periodically updated Plan will permit the Commission to recommend priorities and to promote the rationalization and coordination of efforts.
One of the activities of the GPA, Activity 17, deals with “Constructing Comprehensive Information Systems for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”. The Philippines is a participant in the process that developed the GPA and is also one of the signatories. The country therefore supports all the activities of the GPA.
In 2003, the Government of the Philippines signed an agreement with the FAO to undertake the FAO/Government Cooperative project, GCP/RAS/186/JPN, Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific Region, which is funded by the Government of Japan. Seven countries (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam) participated in the project. The overall objectives of the project were: • To draw/assess the current status of PGRFA in order to fill information gaps in
each of the participating countries and to identify their needs and priorities for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA within the framework of GPA for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA.
• To improve national capacity in monitoring PGRFA activities within the framework of the GPA by empowering them with tools for leading efficient decision-making processes, evaluating and developing PGRFA policies at national level.
• To share with the region successful experiences in the implementation of GPA priority activity areas related to in situ conservation and on farm management and to improve national capacity in carrying out PGRFA in situ conservation and on farm management. In 2003, the Government of the Philippines signed an
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agreement with FAO to undertake the FAO/Government Cooperative project, GCP/RAS/186/JPN, Implementation of the GPA for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific Region, which is funded by the Government of Japan. Seven countries (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam) participate in this project. The overall objectives of the project are:
• To draw/assess the current status of PGRFA in order to fill information gaps in each of the participating countries and to identify their needs and priorities for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA within the framework of GPA for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA.
• To improve national capacity in monitoring PGRFA activities within the framework of the GPA by empowering them with tools for leading efficient decision-making processes, evaluating and developing PGRFA policies at national level.
• To share with the region successful experiences in the implementation of GPA priority activity areas related to in situ conservation and on farm management and to improve national capacity in carrying out PGRFA in situ conservation and on farm management.
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING THE
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING MECHANISM ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GPA
Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand On October 13-15, 2003, the Philippines’ National Focal Point (NFP) for the GCP/RAS/186/JPN project and Team Leader of the Philippine National Network for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PNNPGRFA), Mr. C. Baniqued, attended the first regional focal point consultation of the GCP/RAS/186/JPN organized by the Secretariat of the project at FAORAP in Bangkok. The objectives for establishing a NISM-GPA are: (1) to gather and document PGR activities to improve the ability of countries on decision-making on the conservation and sustainable use of PGR, including priority setting and resources allocation; (2) to build a stronger partnerships among SHs in PGR research and management in the country; (3) to increase understanding among the SHs about the status of PGR in each country; (4) to increase the ability of countries to monitor the implementation of GPA including changes in the status in their PGR over time; and (5) to improve quality on information about PGR and its accessibility to national, regional and global levels.
During the meeting the processes involved in and the computer tool used for the establishment of the NISM-GPA were presented and discussed. The meeting decided to adopt the test version (1.8 and its later versions) of the NISM-GPA computer application, which was being developed by FAO with collaboration from
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the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the recommended processes for the establishment of the information sharing mechanism. Project member countries were asked to develop plans to accomplish the work within the time limit of the project. Subsequently, Mr. Baniqued, the NFP of the project and the CTA, had developed a plan and the Terms of Reference of the Letter of Agreement for establishing the NISM-GPA to be signed by ADG of FAORAP and the then Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BPI), Mr. Hernani Golez. A consensus was reached that three or four national SHs’ meetings/ workshops, including training on the use of computer application software on NISM-GPA were needed to establish the mechanism. Preparatory Activities for the First National Consultation on NISM
In November 2003, member-institutions of the PNNPGRFA were invited to attend the First National Consultation Workshop on the Establishment of the National Information Sharing Mechanism for the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. A total of 35 participants were sent to the NFP from the 22 member-institutions.
Meanwhile, arrangements for the first meeting were agreed by NFP and the
FAO Regional Office in Bangkok. Topics for the consultation/workshop were discussed, formulated and finalized. Resource persons were identified, and the meeting was set for January 27-29, 2004. First Stakeholders’ Meeting
The first SHs’ consultation workshop was held on January 27-29 at the
Bayview Hotel, Manila. Thirty (30) participants representing 22 SHs attended the consultation. The resource persons were composed of the Mr. Ceferino Baniqued, team leader and National Focal Person, three core members of the PNNPGRFA, Dr. Quat Ng, Chief Technical Adviser of the GPA project and Dr. Percy Sajise and Dr. Paul Quek, representatives of IPGRI .
The objectives of the meeting were to: 1) develop a strategy for the
establishment of the NISM, 2) define the roles and responsibilities of the SHs in the establishment of the NISM, 3) review and revise, if necessary, the information in the “COMMON TABLES” of the reporting format and recommend adoption of the information gathered/generated, 4) develop a plan of action for implementation and in the process, assessed the status of the PGRFA Network and determine its needs and priorities; and (5) to train SHs on the use of NISM-GPA computer application software.
An introduction of the establishment of the NISM as one of the activities for
the implementation of GPA, the purpose of the consultation/workshop and the expected output were presented and discussed by the NFP. Presentations included
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the following topics: 1) the implementation and activities of the GPA, 2) the FAO’s role in facilitating the development of ITPGRFA, 3) implementation of NISM-GPA in the Philippines.
The Indicators and Reporting Format for monitoring the GPA implementation
was presented. A hard copy of the document was distributed to each SH. There were six other presentations made during the workshop including
discussions on the implementation and activities of the GPA; the FAO’s role in facilitating the development of ITPGRFA; implementation of PGRFA in the Philippines; and information on course offering on PGR by some universities in the Philippines (see Annex 1).
Dr. Paul Quek and Dr. Quat Ng briefly introduced and demonstrated the use
of the InfoBase and NISM-GPA softwares, respectively. The participants conducted hands-on practice on using the software using computers provided for the purpose. Dr. Quek also demonstrated how to use MS Excel to update the information on Common Tables. Hard copies of the Common Tables, exported from the NISM-GPA computer application were printed out and given to the SHs to fill in the proper information. Copies of the Excel tables and the NISM-GPA software were provided to the SHs.
The SHs agreed on a work plan for the NISM implementation in the
Philippines (Table 1). The roles and responsibilities of the NFP and SHs were discussed and agreed upon. An intensive training on the use of the NISM-GPA computer application was scheduled for the Second SH workshop.
Table 1 Schedule of NISM implementation
Activity Code
Activities Date Start Due Date Date Completed
Extn. Date
Persons Responsible
P001 Complete Common tables 1-Feb-04 30-Apr-04
P002 Identify focal person for each instiution 1-Feb-04 14-Feb-04 Mr. Ceferino Baniqued
P003 Ensure institutional commitment 2-Feb-04 28-Feb-04 Mr. Baniqued and Network members
P004 Provide Excel Table on Org. Contacts 29-Jan-04 29-Jan-04 29-Jan-04 Dr. Paul Quek and Ms. Sicat
P005 Org Contacts entries corrected by SHs 29-J1n-04 15-Mar-04 Network members
P006 Additional SH identified 29-Jan-04 15-Mar-04 Network Members
P007 Taxa, Project, etc. corrected and new entries 1-Mar-04 15-Apr-04 Network members
P008 Validated by NFP 15-Apr-04 30-Apr-04 Mr. Baniqued and Ms.Sicat
P009 Distribute for comments 1-May-04 30-May-04 Mr. Baniqued and Ms. Sicat
P0010 Put on Web 30-May-04 31-May-04 Ms. Sicat
Participants were also introduced to the use of MicroSoft Excel software to
facilitate the filling up of information necessary for the Common Tables. Excel tables exported from the Common Tables were printed and given to the SHs, as well as the electronic version of the tables. It was agreed that the SHs shall submit information
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for five tables, namely the Cultab, Protab, Reftab, Protab and Instab to the NFP. Then the NFP shall update the data to the existing tables before the second meeting It was also agreed that the PNNPGRFA will be tapped to facilitate the NISM-GPA activities. Additional SHincluding IRRI will be invited in the next meeting.
It was agreed that the SHs would send the updated information for the
common tables in hard copies or electronic format (Excel files) to the NFP before or during the second meeting so that the SHs version of the NISM-GPA application software could be created.
LOA/RAP/2004/01 The signing of the letter agreement between the FAO represented by Dr. Quat Ng, Chief Technical Adviser of the Project GCP/RAS/186/JPN and the Director of DA-BPI, Philippines as the recipient for the establishment of the NISM for the implementation of the GPA in the Philippines was also held during the first SH meeting. The agreement specified the roles and responsibilities of both parties for the establishment of NISM-GPA. Second SHs’ Meeting
The second SHs’ Meeting was conducted on June 9-11, 2004 at the Aloha Hotel, Manila, with the following objectives: 1) to start the establishment of the national GPA-NISM, 2) to further define roles and responsibilities of SHs and NFP, 3) to discuss and distribute the reporting format and to agree on the kind of information to gather and share, 4) to train SHs on the use of the NISM-GPA computer application and distribute the SH’s version of the NISM-GPA computer application for the SHs to answer the questions and update the information to the Common Tables, and 5) to develop and agree on a work plan for gathering the needed information and the submission of data by the SHs to the NFP for compilation and submission to FAO.
The participants to the meeting were the same SHs who attended the first
meeting (Table 2). Mr. Stefano Diulgheroff of FAO Rome, and Drs. Paul Quek and Quat Ng provided the training on the NISM-GPA software.
Only 6 SHs were able to submit the information for the Common Tables prior
to the second meeting. Unfortunately, the information had not yet been merged onto the National Focal Point’s version of the NISM-GPA. The experiences, problems and gaps for the failure of network members to complete and submit the common tables were discussed and reasons given were the following: a) the Indicators and Reporting Format for monitoring the GPA was not clear to all SHs even though a hard copy of the document had been provided to every participant during the last meeting, b) there was neither a feedback mechanism in place for SHs to know if what they have submitted were received, nor was there a system of communication when submitted documents were never retrieved, c) capability of the existing
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computers was also a constraint, d) the focal persons did not have all the information needed, so there was really a need for an institutional meeting or survey to obtain the required information, this however, is not done yet at the SH level, and e) the designated focal persons must be recognized by their institutions, probably through a special order, as the authorized person to collate and provide the information on their GPA implementation, (f) there was no clear authority given to the Information Officer of BPI to gather and collect information from SHs, and (g) most SHs did not adhere to the time schedule for submitting the information They did not ask any help nor indicate any difficulty to the NFP who could arrange technical support to assist them; and (h) most SH representatives attending the meeting have limited experience on using computers. Table 2 Type of organizations and number of participants to the 2nd SHs Meeting
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION NUMBER NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
Government Agencies 7 11
Government R&D Centers 7 7
State Colleges & Universities 10 10
University-Attached Institutions 5 5
Non-Government Organizations 1 2
Private Industry 1 1
International Research Organization 1 1
TOTAL 32 37 During this second meeting, the participants had hands-on training/practice
on answering the questionaire using the NISM-GPA computer application. They were re-introduced to the basics of data management using the Microsoft Excel software needed for submission of the common tables.
During the meeting, it was agreed that: 1) the Director of BPI will appoint a
replacement as National Coordinator for Mr. Baniqued after his retirement; and 2) a project steering committee will be established to guide, oversee and help implement the activity. Third SHs’ Meeting This meeting was conducted on November 22-23, 2006 at the Bayview Park Hotel which was for the first time attended by the FAO Representative to the Philippines, Mr. Kazuyuki Tsurumi and 22 participants from 20 participating stakeholders.
The participants reviewed each topic to finalize the two draft reports for
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submission to FAO, discussed achievements, constraints and suggestion on how to improve the NISM, and discussed the next steps and future plans in the implementation of the NISM by agreeing on a strategy for regular updating and maintenance in continuity of the NISM in the Philippines, including the use of the NISM webpage for sharing information and for publishing the work, and identifying needs for the successful establishment of the NISM.
Finally, the BPI Office-in-Charge affirmed the agency’s commitment to
implement the plans and guaranteed assistance by BPI for the maintenance and dissemination of GPA-NISM to assure the success of the project. Data Validation, Analysis and Writing of Reports The common tables (INSTAB, PERTAB, REFTAB and PROTAB) were submitted to the NFP by the different participating SHs. Data added and updated by the SHs in each table were merged to the existing tables to create Excel files with the same name of each table. The merging of the data in the existing tables was necessary for validation and to avoid duplication of data. After data validation, the newly created tables (INSTAB, PERTAB, REFTAB and PROTAB) were imported to the NISM-GPA software to update the records of the existing tables therein. Copies of the software were sent to all the SHs in compact disks. Each SH was required to provide information on how it addressed each of the twenty priority areas of of GPA. A zip file of the survey data were submitted by the SHs to the NFP. These zip files were then merged into the NFP’s copy of the software for validation, consolidation and creation of a national profile. The set of data in each item of the twenty priority areas were exported to Excel files for data management and analysis. These files were used in the preparation of the draft reports of 1) “The Establishment of the National Information Sharing Mechanism on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Philippines” and 2) “Current State and Future Priority for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Philippines” for submission to FAO. CHAPTER 2 PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
After the consultation/workshop a letter of request to designate a focal person for the project was sent to head of participating agencies. The focal persons will be in charge of monitoring and gathering/providing relevant information regarding the status of PGR activities in their institutions.
Following is the list of the participating agencies and the respective focal persons:
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List of focal persons and agencies participating in the NISM implementation. 1. Agency: Benquet State University (BSU)
Focal Person: Leoncia L. Tandang, Manager, BSU-IPHCRS/Professor IV Organization authority status: Governmental
Crop Mandate: Rootcrops (potato, sweetpotato, yam), vegetables and ornamentals PGR activities implemented: maintenance of botanical collection; Breeding; Educatio-nal; Seed production & distribution; Research; Extension; Field and seed Genebanking
2. Agency: BPI-Baguio National Crop Research & Development Center
(BPI-BNCRDC) Focal Person: Matilde Q. Gumtang, Agriculturist II
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Citrus and other semi-temperate crops PGR activities implemented: Field Genebanking; Research; Extension
3. Agency: BPI-Crop Research Division (BPI-CRD)
Focal Persons: Baby Linda S. Marquez, Supervising Agriculturist Teresita E. Guevara, Senior Agriculturist
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Medicinal plants, herbs and spices PGR activities implemented: Research; Extension; Field Genebanking
4. Agency: BPI-Davao National Crop Research & Development Center
(BPI-DNCRDC) Focal Person: Alfredo T. Corpuz, Senior Agriculturist
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Tropical fruits PGR activities implemented: Breeding; Seed distribution; Research; Field Genebanking
5. Agency: BPI-La Granja National Crop Research & Development
Center (BPI-LGNCRDC) Focal Person: Francisco G. Doloso, Agriculturist II
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Field legumes and corn PGR activities implemented: Seed Genebanking; Maintenance of Botanical collection; Breeding; Seed production; Research; Extension
6. Agency: BPI-Los Baños National Crop Research & Development
Center (BPI-LBNCRDC) Focal Person: Juanita G. Calibo, Agriculturist II
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Vegetable legumes and lowland vegetables PGR activities implemented: Seed Genebanking (short term collections), Research, Breeding, Extension, Seed production and distribution
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7. Agency: BPI-National Mango Research & Dev’t Center (BPI-NMRDC) Focal Person: Sofia A. Covacha, Senior Agriculturist
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Mango PGR activities implemented: Field Genebanking; Planting material production and distribution; Research; Extension
8. Agency: BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services (Seed System)
Focal Persons: Andrea B. Inocencio, Supervising Agriculturist Danilo T. Dannug, Agriculturist II
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Fruit and plantation crops PGR activities implemented: Research and Regulatory
9. Agency: Cavite State University (CAVSU)
Focal Person: Teddy F. Tepora, Head, Orchid & Banana Tissue Culture Lab. Organization authority status : Governmental
16. Agency: Department of Agronomy, U.P.L.B (DOA-UPLB)
Focal Person: Sancho G. Bon, University Research Associate Organization authority status : Governmental
Crop Mandate: Rice PGR activities implemented: Educational; seed genebank (short-term), Research; Extension; seed production and distribution
17. Agency: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Focal Person: Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, Head, Genetic Resources Centre Organization authority status : CGIAR
Crop Mandate: Rice PGR activities implemented: Seed Genebanking (short, medium and long term); Breeding; Research; Extension; IEC materials production and distribution
18. Agency: Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
Focal Person: Araceli J. Badar, Science Research Analyst I Organization authority status : Governmental
20. Agency: National Plant Genetic Resources Lab.-IPB (IPB-NPGRL)
Focal Persons: Ma. Lea H. Villavicencio, University Researcher/Division Head Visitacion C. Huelgas, University Researcher
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: All crops PGR activities implemented: Genebanking (short, medium and long term); Breeding; Educational; Seed production; Seed distribution; Research; Extension; IEC materials production and materials
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21. Agency: National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Focal Person: Luz G. Fiesta, Science Research Specialist II
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Tobacco PGR activities implemented: Seedbanking (short-term, air conditioned room), Seed production and distribution, Research; Extension
22. Agency: Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training
Center (NPRCRTC) Focal Person: Violeta B. Salda, Assistant Professor IV
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Rootcrops (yam, sweetpotato, potato) PGR activities implemented: Field Genebanking, maintenance of Botanical collection; Network; Community; Educational; Seed production and distribution; Research; Extension
23. Agency: Palawan State University (PSU) Focal Person: Gloria C. Orlido, Research/Training Coordinator Instructor
27. Agency: Philippines Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops)
Focal Person: Dilberto O. Ferraren, Associate Professor Organization authority status : Governmental
Crop Mandate: Yam, taro, sweetpotato and other Dioscorea and Xanthosoma species PGR activities implemented: Field Genebanking and in vitro conservation; Breeding; Educational; Seed production and distribution; Research; Extension
28. Agency: Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community
Empowerment (SEARICE) Focal Person: Retchel P. Sasing, Technical Officer
Research and Extension Center (SRA-LGAREC) Focal Person: Randolph T. Harder, Manager I, Breeding and Genetic Dept.
Organization authority status : Governmental Crop Mandate: Sugarcane PGR activities implemented: Breeding; Research; Field Genebanking
30. Agency: University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin)
Focal Person: Jeneylyne F. Colcol, Faculty Organization authority status : Governmental
Crop Mandate: Rubber, cacao, coffee and other plantation crops, sago palm PGR activities implemented: Educational; Research; Extension, Field Genebanking
31. Agency: University of Southern Mindanao (USM)
Focal Person: Romulo L. Cena, Professor III Organization authority status : Governmental
Crop Mandate: Rubber, cacao, Coffee and other plantation crops PGR activities implemented: Educational; Research; Extension; Field genebank
32. Agency: Western Philippines University (WPU)
Focal Person: Romeo R. Lerom, Assistant Professor I Organization authority status : Governmental
Crop Mandate: Cashew, Garcinia spp. and other indigenous tropical fruits PGR activities implemented: Educational; Research; Planting materials production and distribution; Field Genebanking
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CHAPTER 3 STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE NISM-GPA AND FLOW OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY STAKEHOLDERS
A Steering Committee was created by the NFP for the smooth implementation
of the project, consisting of the core team members of the PNNPGRFA, BPI staff and a representative from a non-government organization (NGO).
Figure 1 shows the structure of the GPA–NISM implementation. The BPI
Director serves as the National Focal Person (NFP) and chair of the Steering Committee with the National Coordinator acting as the Secretary and regional coordinator for Luzon. Regional coordinators for Mindanao and Visayas were identified to facilitate communication.among SHs.
SHs agreed on the schedule of submission of the information of the NISM to the NFP. Twenty-seven of the 31 SHs were able to submit the common table, namely PROTAB, PERTAB, REFTAB and INSTAB. The submission by the NPGRL, the national germplasm repository was delayed due to some institutional constraints. Data validation from the different SHs was done on schedule.
Figure 1 Flowchart of NISM-GPA Implementation and Members of the
Steering Committee The data of the SHs for each table were merged and imported into the
existing file in the NISM-GPA computer application. After the successful merging of the data into the existing Common Tables, SH’s version of the NISM-GPA computer application was then created. Copies of the version were written in compact discs
Steering Committee
Prof. Nestor Altoveros Prof. Teresita Borromeo Dr. Felipe dela Cruz Jr.
and sent to each of the 27 SHs (Table 3) either through express delivery system or personal delivery. Individual SH key code was also provided to the individual SH. Table 3 List of SHs’ submission of required tables for NISM implementation
BPI-BNCRDC x x x x x x x BPI-DNCRDC x x x x x x x x x BPI-LBNCRDC x x x x x
BPI-LGNCRDC X x x x x x
BPI-NMRDC X x x x x x BPI-CRD X x x x x x CMU X x x x x x DA-STIARC X x x x x x DENR-ERDB x x x x x DOA-UPLB X x x x x x x x x DMMSU X x x x x x x x x
IPB-NPGRL X x x x x x x x x
MMSU X x x x x x x NARC-LSU X x x x x x x x NTA X x x x x x PCA – ZRC X x x x x x x PhilRice X x x x x x x x x x
PhilRootcrops X x x x x x SEARICE X x x x x x SRA-LGAREC x x x x x WPU x x x x X
A close monitoring on the progress of data input was done through cellular
phone, land line and e-mail communication. During the course of monitoring, some of the SHs were visited and assisted technically and in data encoding by the National Coordinator. Twenty-one (21) of the expected 27 SHs were able to send the zip files containing the answers to the questionnaire for data merging into the NISM system (Table 3).
Merging the individual SHs’ data into the application was done using the NFP’s version of the NISM-GPA computer application program. All data were checked and duplicate entries were rejected. The answers to the different priority area questions were exported as excel files for ease of reading. The tables were printed for easy reference in the preparation of the final report to be validated by the SHs at the third consultation meeting before finally submitting to FAO.
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CHAPTER 4 HIGHLIGHTS OF FINDINGS FROM THE DATA GATHERED AND ANALYZED
A. In situ Conservation and Development Priority Area 1 Surveying and Inventorying Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture
Surveying and inventorying had been conducted in the Ilocos Region, Southern Luzon, Bohol, Palawan, Sarangani and Tawi-tawi by five institutions. The crops surveyed included rice (SEARICE); almaciga, mangrove (WPU); mango and other fruit cultivars, tugui, ubi, taro, sweetpotato, corn, mungbean, peanut, cowpea, yambean, bamboo, tomato, eggplant, pepper, garlic, onion, tomato, okra, jute, basella, amaranth, vegetables, ornamentals and fruit trees (MMSU), coconut (PCA) and wild forest indigenous/not popular species of vegetables such as vegetables, root cops and fruits which are vanishing (DMMMSU).
The institutions used qualitative and quantitative survey techniques including
individual interviews, PGR mapping, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), and Variable Transect Method for Rapid Assessment of Tropical Plant Communities in the survey. The survey results revealed that most of the traditional varieties of crops are threatened due to the introduction of formal releases including hybrids and GMOs, land conversion, habitat and human destruction, tan barking and charcoal making in mangrove, weather disturbances, local/internal conflict, lack of knowledge on proper utilization of forest resources and expansion of ecotourism areas. The implementation of some government programs like promotion of hybrid rice, low family income, corruption, absence of proper monitoring of concerned agencies, and population growth are some of the cited reasons for the loss of traditional varieties.
In North Cotabato and Bohol, traditional rice varieties are still being grown. In
Palawan, on the other hand, there is a high diversity in the species of mangrove but some were destroyed due to tan barking.
Although surveying activities are included in the National Environmental
Action Plan (NEAP), the activities are limited due to insufficient funding. The SHs recommended the identification of priorities, constraints and opportunities for successful surveys and inventories. Comments on surveying and inventorying PGRFA
Eight SHs provided comments on the surveying and inventorying activity of
PGR in the country. The establishment of an information system for the survey and inventory of PGRFA was suggested. As well, training on computer operation and information systems was deemed necessary.
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Activities on survey and inventory of PGRFA were not given priority due to lack of funds and inadequate human resources. Survey and inventory in areas with unique of PGRFA must be conducted, taking into account the provisions of relevant laws and policies.
Indigenous knowledge should be considered as an important component of
surveying and inventorying activities of PGRFA. To facilitate survey and inventory, training and capacity building should be
undertaken in areas such as taxonomy, population biology, ethnobotany, eco-regional and intra-specific diversity in agroecological system and molecular analysis. Priority Area 2 Supporting On-Farm Management and Improvement of Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Fourteen (14) projects addressing on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA on corn, fruits, garlic and onion, rice, coconut, mango, ube and indigenous vegetables were reported. The projects involved local government units, a state college and farmers’ association/organizations. The number of farmers who participated ranged from 32 to 1309. The activities of the projects included the establishment of pilot sites in areas of high diversity; assessment of farmers' knowledge; characterization and evaluation of local varieties; studies on the population structure and dynamics of local varieties; assessment of utilization and management of local varieties; socio-economic assessment of on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA; and environmental assessment of on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA. The level of integration into national programme of on-farm management of PGRFA and the level of priority for on-farm management are low. The major limitations to on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA in the country are: 1) inadequate incentives provided to farmer; 2) insufficient seed or planting material; 3) insufficient number of staff; 4) insufficient financial support; and 5) on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA are not a national priority. Comments on promoting on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA To promote on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA, the following comments and some recommendations were given by SHs
In Mindanao, activities for the promotion of on-farm management and
improvement of PGRFA were mostly done by NGOs. It was recommended that the Philippine government should also initiate similar activities and forge collaboration with the NGOs.
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It was stressed that assistance should be given to farmers on on-farm conservation and improvement.
Finally, on-farm management and improvement of PGRFA is an important concern but not a priority, due to lack of funds.
Priority Area 3 Assisting Farmers in Disaster Situations to Restore
Agricultural Systems Disasters like typhoon, earthquake and others caused by biological factors, in the Philippines pose a great threat to agricultural systems. The DA spearheads the rapid response mechanisms of the government in assisting farmers id disaster situations. There are also institutional mechanisms in place in both government and non-government organizations. Community banks like the center-based, medium-term cold storage seedbank of the Tripartite Collaboration between the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT), Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation Programme (CBDC-Bohol) and the Farmers' Consultative Council (FCC), Malitbog Sustainable Farmer's Association Seedbank, Del Carmen Community Seed Bank, Ilustre Community Seed bank, Kabacan Community Seedbank, CONSERVE Center Based Seed bank and the BPI-NMRDC have been established and strengthened to facilitate reintroduction of germplasm lost during disasters.
On the other hand, PhilRice focuses on disaster that are of biological in nature more particularly that of invasive alien species like the giant earthworms, golden apple snail and rats. An example is in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, where around 300 traditional rice varieties are threatened because of the presence of these invasive species. Information on the local seed supply is adequate to identify and facilitate germplasm reintroduction following disasters. An example of restoration project was when the drought in North Cotabato in 1997 and in Bohol (2002) caused destruction in some varieties of rice, corn vegetables and fruit trees and rice, respectively. Germplasm from farmers and CONSERVE center based seed bank, University of Southern Mindanao were used to reintroduce the lost germplasm. Insufficient financial support and unavailability of the germplasm for reintroduction and restoration are the two greatest constraints to restoration of the locally adapted germplasm following a disaster.
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Comments on the reintroduction of locally adapted germplasm and assisting farmers in the restoration of agricultural systems in the country following disaster
Government support for the reintroduction and restoration of germplasm lost during disaster situations is essential. The local government unit should also be directly involved in the distribution of planting materials to the calamity-affected areas. It is also recommended that the re-introduced planting materials must be maintained by the community, and the varieties adapted to their community must always be made available.
Priority Area 4 Promoting In Situ Conservation of Wild Crop Relatives and
Wild Plants for Food Production The Philippine Government supports the in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild plants for food production. Laws have been enacted to protect and conserve wild crop relatives and wild plants for food production. These laws are the Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act), Republic Act 7308 (Seed Act), Republic Act 7611 (Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act), Republic Act 8371 (Indigenous People's Rights Act), Republic Act 8423 (Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act), Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Protection Act) and Republic Act 9168 (Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act). The status of the wild crop relatives are considered in environmental impact assessments (EIAs). Comments on promoting in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild food plants
To promote in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild plants for food
in the Philippines, the government should prioritize such activities and should allocate funds for its implementation. There is also a need for capacity building.
ERDB had published a guide book on “Food for the Wilderness”. This is a
compilation of descriptions and uses of 100 wild food species from the forests and other habitats. Publications like this could increase the awareness of the public on the importance of wild plants.
B. Ex Situ Conservation Priority Area 5 Sustaining Existing Ex Situ Collections
Table 4 shows the projects on sustaining ex situ collections carried out by the SHs. An SH has been doing breeding, seed production and distribution and research in the conduct of their 21 ex situ conservation projects. Other activities like conduct of seminars; dispersal/distribution of good seeds; collection,
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characterization, and evaluation of all collections; pollen conservation; screening for disease resistance; center and community-based seed banking; tree planting of indigenous species and germplasm conservation under screenhouse are also being done by other SHs. Table 4 Projects and activities relating to sustaining ex situ collections carried out by
the SHs
Stakeholder Ex situ conservation programme/project/activity Type of activity Other activity type
Number of professionals
involved
BPI-BNCRDC Citrus Germplasm Conservation and Utilization
In vitro conservation Field genebank
4
BPI-CRD Collecting, identification, characterization and conservation of medicinal and spice plants
Field genebank 6
Southeast Asian Regional Germplasm for Banana and Plantain
In vitro conservation Field genebank
3 BPI-DNCRDC
BPI-DNCRDC Tropical Fruit Crops Germplasm
Field genebank 2
Acquisition, Conservation and Utilization of Priority Vegetables: Tomato, Eggplant, Yardlong Bean, Squash, Mungbean and Vegetable Soybean
Seed genebank (short term collections) Field genebank
1
Promoting the Utilization of Indigenous Vegetables for Improved Nutrition of Resource-Poor Households
Seed genebank (short and medium term collections) Field genebank
3
Germplasm Conservation, Regeneration, Documentation, Characterization and Evaluation of Indigenous Vegetables
Seed genebank (short and medium term collections) Field genebank
1
Participatory Evaluation of Selected Indigenous Vegetable Accessions
Seed genebank (medium term collections);Seed genebank (short term collections);Field genebank
1
BPI-LBNCRDC
Pilot School of Garden of Indigenous Vegetables and In-Country Training of Women
Seed genebank (short and medium term collections) Field genebank
1
Germplasm Collection, Selection and Maintenance of Indigenous Plant Species for Agriculture and Medicinal Uses
Field genebank 2
Germplasm Collection of Soybean Field genebank 2 Germplasm Collection of Mungbean Field genebank 4 Germplasm Collection of Peanut Field genebank 3 Germplasm Collection of Cowpea Field genebank 4 Germplasm Collection of Sweetpotato
Field genebank 2
Germplasm Collection of Rice Bean Field genebank 2 Nursery Germplasm Collection Field genebank 1
BPI-LGNCRDC
Foundation Scion Grove Germplasm Collection
Field genebank 1
BPI-NMRDC Genebank Evaluation on Mango Field genebank
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Continuation of Table 4.
Stakeholder Ex situ conservation programme/project/activity Type of activity Other activity type
Number of professionals
involved
CMU Conservation of Some Economically Important Selaginella and Equisetum (Fern Allies) Through Micropropagation
Botanical garden In vitro conservation
Germplasm Conservation of Citrus Species
Field genebank Germplasm Conservation under Screenhouse Plant material production and distribution
5 DA-STIARC
Foundation Scion Grove Germplasm Collection
Field genebank Collection, Characterization and evaluation Production and distribution of planting material
3
Ethnobotanical Survey of indigenous/wild plants used as Food by Ilocanos
Arboretum 2
Collection, Characterization and Domestication of Indigenous/Wild Plants Used as Foods
Arboretum
2
Germplasm Collection, conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, Selection, and Documentation of Mulberry Varieties
Field genebank Seed Distribution
8
Germplasm Collection of Yams Field genebank Seminar and dispersal of good yam varieties for farmers
4
Germplasm Collection of Banana Field genebank In vitro conservation
Seminar and seedpiece dispersal
3
DMMMSU
Germplasm Collection of High Value Crops In Ilocos Region
Field genebank 3
DOA-UPLB Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
Seed genebank (short term collections) Field genebank
2
Management of Los Banos Bambusetum
Field genebank 2
Establishment of rattan genebank Field genebank Conservation and Improvement of Bamboo Genetic Resources in the Philippines
Field genebank
Philippine Bambusetum Field genebank Davao Bambusetum Field genebank
ERDB
Bukidnon Bambusetum Field genebank Acquisition, Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources of Priority Fruit and Ornamental Crops
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
IPB-NPGRL
Characterization of Genetic Divesity and Varietal Identification of Philippine Banana Germplasm Using Molecular Markers (former title: Fingerprinting of Philippine Banana Germplasm)
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
21
Continuation of Table 4.
Stakeholder Ex situ conservation programme/project/activity Type of activity Other activity type
Number of professionals
involved
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of cereal crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of legume crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of tree fruits germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of tree nuts germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of vegetable crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Collection, evaluation and propagation of mangosteen germplasm in the Philippines
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Conservation and utilization of germplasm of mango, citrus species and garcinia species in the Philippines
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Development of advanced technologies for germplasm conservation of tropical fruit species:citrus
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Development/optimization of conservation protocols for priority crops using in vitro techniques
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Documentation of annual and industrial crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Establishment and evaluation of introduced banana cultivar
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Establishment of botanical collection of fruit and nut species
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Evaluation and conservation of small fruits germplasm and their wild relatives
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Genetic Diversity and Morphotaxonomic Variation of Musa balbisiana Colla in the Philippines
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
22
Continuation of Table 4.
Stakeholder Ex situ conservation programme/project/activity Type of activity Other activity type
Number of professionals
involved Plant regeneration in cell and tissue cultures of corn
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Regeneration, characterization and conservation of feeds and industrial crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Regeneration, characterization and conservation of vegetable crops germplasm
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Seed germination, seedling development interspecific grafting studies of the Philippines syzygiums
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
Seed testing and conservation research of indigenous and selected introduced fruit species of the Philippines
Seed genebanking (short, medium and long term)
Breeding Seed production Seed distribution Research
MMSU In Vitro Multiplication of Garlic In vitro conservation 5
NARC Collection, morphological characterization and maintenance of abaca germplasm
In vitro conservation Field genebank
Breeding, Characterization, Evaluation, Seed Production and Distribution
7
NTA Germplasm Collection, Purification, Maintenance and Characterization of Different Tobacco Varieties, Lines, Tobacco Introductions and Related Species
Seed genebank (short, medium and long term collections)
Collection, characterization and evaluation of all tobacco types
3
Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
In vitro conservation Field genebank
Pollen conservation 48 PCA-ZRC
Collection and evaluation and conservation of coconut genetic resources in the Philippines using a systematic sampling strategy
Field genebank 15
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Seed genebank (short and medium term collections) Field genebank
Collection, maintenance and evaluation of different Dioscorea species
Field Genebank Selection 3
Maintenance, characterizatio and documentation of sweetpotato germplasm
In vitro conservation Field Genebank
Breeding 4
Maintenance and evaluation of cassava germplasm
In vitro conservation Field Genebank
Breeding 3
Collection, maintenance and characterization of taro germplasm
In vitro conservation Field Genebank
Breeding 3
PhilRootcrops
Collection and maintenance of other minor rootcrops
Field Genebank 2
SEARICE CVSCAFT-SEARICE-FCC collaboration
Seed genebank (short and medium term collections)
Center-based seed bank, community seed bank
15
23
Continuation of Table 4.
Stakeholder Ex situ conservation programme/project/activity Type of activity Other activity type
Number of professionals
involved
Conserve Center based seed bank Seed genebank (short and medium term collections) Botanical garden Field genebank
2
SRA-LGAREC Germplasm Collection, Characterization and Maintenance
Field genebank 2
Palawan Rice Germplasm Seed genebank (short term collections)
Characterization and distribution of rice seeds
1 WPU
Rainforestation Project in Palawan Arboretum Tree planting of indigenous species
4
22 72
Field genebanking is the most common activity (17 SHs, 43 projects) done by
the SHs (Table 4a), followed by in vitro conservation (8 SHs, 10 projects). However, even if only 7 stakeholders are doing seed genebanking, there are 32 projects that is undergoing this activity. IPB-NPGRL is the only institution that conducts breeding and seed production in their 21 projects, PCA-ZRC on the other hand, is the only institution that conserves germplasm through DNA and pollen. Table 4a. Distribution of projects and stakeholders per activity relating to
sustaining ex situ collections. Activity No. of Projects No. of Stakeholders
Field genebank 43 16 In vitro conservation 10 8 Seed genebanking (short-, medium-, and long- term)
Zingiber officinale 1 Maintenance of PSB Cn 94-50 Zea mays 1 Maintenance of PSB Cn 96-67 Zea mays 1 Maintenance of PSB Cn 97-92 Zea mays 1 Maintenance of PSB Sp 20 Ipomoea batatas 1 Maintenance of PSB Sy 1 Glycine max 1 Maintenance of PSB Sy 3 Glycine max 1 Maintenance of PSB Sy 8 Glycine max 1
Acquisition, Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources of Priority Fruit and Ornamental Crops
Pseudocalymma alliaceum 1 Musa acuminata 1 Musa balbisiana 1 Musa coccinea 1 Musa ornata 1
Musa sp. 1
Characterization of Genetic Divesity and Varietal Identification of Philippine Banana Germplasm Using Molecular Markers (former title: Fingerprinting of Philippine Banana Germplasm)
Brassica nigra 1 Brassica oleracea var. acephala 11 Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra 3 Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 10 Brassica oleracea var. capitata 68 Brassica oleracea var. italica 5
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of vegetable crops germplasm
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis 137
44
Continuation of Table 5.
Stakeholder Ex situ collection Project Name of Taxon Number of Accession
Brassica nigra 1 Brassica oleracea var. acephala 1 Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra 1 Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 1 Brassica oleracea var. capitata 1
Documentation of annual and industrial crops germplasm
Brassica oleracea var. italica 1
48
Continuation of Table 5.
Stakeholder Ex situ collection Project Name of Taxon Number of Accession
Brassica nigra 1 Brassica oleracea var. acephala 1 Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra 1 Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 1 Brassica oleracea var. capitata 1 Brassica oleracea var. italica 1 Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis 1
NTA Germplasm Collection, Purification, Maintenance and Characterization of Different Tobacco Varieties, Lines, Tobacco Introductions and Related Species Nicotiana tabacum 100 90
PCA-ZRC Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
Cocos nucifera 224 85
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Oryza sativa 5,000
Maranta arundinacea 36 Pachyrrhizus erosus 44
Collection and maintenance of other minor rootcrops
Xanthosoma sagitifolium 7 Collection, maintenance and characterization of taro germplasm
Vitex parviflora 1 Cashew Field Genebank Anacardium occidentale 140
Palawan Rice Germplasm Oryza sativa 48
21 80 851 50,082 2,222
61
Most of the SHs maintain duplicates of their germplasm at the Institute of Plant Breeding-National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (IPB-NPGRL), the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC, for vegetables) and IRRI (rice). ERDB has its duplicates sent to their other branches located in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 11, and Region 6. DA-STIARC because of their project sent their duplicates to BPI National Crop Research and Development Centers in Baguio and Davao. On the other hand, SEARICE and PCA-ZRC have their duplicates at PhilRice and Panay State Polytechnic College, respectively.
Table 5a gives the number of accessions of the different crop species maintained by 16 agencies/SHs that are not yet participating in the establishment of the NISM in thecountry. A total of 122,880 accessions of 265 crop species are held by these agencies. IRRI holds the highest number of accessions of Oryza sativa which totals 116,928. Table 5a. Number of accessions of crop species held by SHs not participating in
Musa sp. 17 Citrus reticulata x C. paradisi 1 Citrus aurantifolia 1 Citrus maxima 1 Citrus meyeri 1 Citrus microcarpa 1 Citrus paradisi 1 Citrus reticulata 5 Citrus sinensis 4 Citrus unshiu 1 Citrus limon 1
USM
Zea mays 210 16 265 122,880
All in all the Philippines holds a total of 918 taxa of plant genetic resources for
food and agriculture with a total of 170,807 accessions. Fifteen out of 18 SHs conserve their collections in field genebanks, with areas ranging from 12 to 2,500,000 square meters (Table 6). Most of the areas still have available spaces for expansion. Table 6 Type and conditions of germplasm conservation methods used by SHs
Type of Conservation Method Seedstore Stakeholder In vitro
conservation unit
Field Short term
Medium term
Long term
Total area (meter2)
Total volume
(meters3)
Space avail.
BPI-BNCRDC x 1,400 Yes BPI-CRD x 1,462 Yes
69
Continuation of Table 6 Type of Conservation Method
Seedstore Stakeholder In vitro conservation
unit Field Short
term Medium
term Long term
Total area (meter2)
Total volume
(meters3)
Space avail.
x 200,000 Yes BPI-DNCRDC x 100 Yes x 104 Yes x 162,500 Yes
BPI-LBNCRDC
x 2,652 Yes BPI-LGNCRDC x BPI-NMRDC x 50,000 CMU x 12 Yes DA-STIARC x 11,000 Yes
x 15,000 Yes DMMMSU x
DOA-UPLB x 18 40 Yes x Yes x
ERDB
x x 120,000 90 Yes x 90 Yes
IPB-NPGRL
x 35 Yes MMSU x 3,000 Yes
x 40,000 Yes NARC x 50 No
NTA x x Yes x 2,500,000 No x (pollen) 1 Yes
PCA-ZRC
x (pollen) 1 Yes x 120 240 Yes x Yes
PhilRice
x Yes PhilRootcrops x x 25,000
x SEARICE x 1
SRA-LGAREC x 20,000 Yes WPU x
18 8 15 7 3 4
A total of 525 taxa from 28 ex situ projects were collected by 17 SHs. A total of 7,050, 30,692 and 32,402 accessions of different taxa are stored in short-, medium-, and long-term facilities, respectively. On the other hand, 7,076 accessions of different taxa are in field genebanks and 446 are in vitro conservation facilities (Table 7).
70
Table 7. Number of accessions stored in different storage conditions. Number of accessions
Seed Storage Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection Name of taxon Short-term
Medium- term
Long-term
Field genebank
in vitro
Citrus aurantiifolia 6 Citrus aurantium 1 Citrus limon 5 Citrus maxima 11 Citrus paradisi x Poncirus trifoliata
1
Citrus reticulata 30 Citrus reticulata var. austere x Fortunella sp.
4
Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis 2 Citrus sinensis 16 Citrus sinensis x P. trifoliata 3 Citrus sp. 1 Citrus x paradisi 1 Fortunella margarita 2 Fortunella x C. reticulata 1
BPI-BNCRDC Citrus Germplasm Conservation and Utilization
Ziziphus spina-christi 1 MMSU Garlic Cultivars for Ilocos
Provinces Allium sativum 5
NARC Collection, morphological characterization and maintenance of abaca germplasm
Musa textilis 773 211
Nicotiana spp. 26 47 NTA Germplasm Collection, Purification, Maintenance and Characterization of Different Tobacco Varieties, Lines, Tobacco Introductions and Related Species
Nicotiana tabacum 576 483
PCA-ZRC Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
Cocos nucifera 224 1
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Stock inventories are performed regularly by all the SHs (Table 8). Regular monitoring of viability of the collections for a total of 22 projects are done by 13 of them, while 5 others do not. The SHs who do not perform monitoring of genetic integrity of the collections is only 28% (5) as compared to those who perform monitoring which is a high 72% or a total of 14 SHs. Table 8 Monitoring of ex situ collections by the different stakeholders through
stock inventories, viability testing and genetic integrity monitoring.
Stock inventories Monitoring of
viability Monitoring of genetic
integrity Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
BPI-BNCRDC Citrus Germplasm Conservation and Utilization
x x
BPI-CRD Collecting, identification, characterization and conservation of medicinal and spice plants
x
BPI-DNCRDC Tropical Fruit Crops Germplasm
x x x BPI-DNCRDC
Southeast Asian Regional Germplasm for Banana and Plantain
x x x
Germplasm Conservation, Regeneration, Documentation, Characterization and Evaluation of Indigenous Vegetables
x x x
Participatory Evaluation of Selected Indigenous Vegetable Accessions
x x x
Pilot School of Garden of Indigenous Vegetables and In-Country Training of Women
x x x
Acquisition, Conservation and utilization of priority vegetables: (tomato, eggplant, yardlong bean,squash, mungbean and vegetable soybean)
x x x
BPI-LBNCRDC
Conservation of foundation groves of fruit trees
x x x
BPI-NMRDC Genebank Evaluation on Mango x x x CMU Conservation of Some Economically
Important Selaginella and Equisetum (Fern Allies) Through Micropropagation
x x x
85
Continuation of Table 8
Stock inventories Monitoring of
viability Monitoring of genetic
integrity Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
Citrus Germplasm Collection x x x DA-STIARC Foundation Scion Grove Germplasm Collection
x x x
DOA-UPLB Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
x x x
Management of Los Banos Bambusetum x x x ERDB Establishment of rattan genebank x x x Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of cereal crops germplasm
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of feeds and industrial crops germplasm
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of indigenous vegetables
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of legume crops germplasm
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of small fruits germplasm
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of tree fruits germplasm
x x x
Collection, characteriazation, conservation and documentation of tree nuts germplasm
x x x
Acquisition, conservation and management of genetic resources of priority fruit and ornamental crops
x x x
Collecting, identification, characterization and conservation of medicinal and spice plants
x x x
Genetic Diversity and Morphotaxonomic Variation of Musa balbisiana Colla in the Philippines
x x x
In Vitro Conservation of Musa spp. (Banana)
x x x
Developing medium and long-term in vitro conservation techniques for Musa and selected root crops
x x x
IPB-NPGRL
Investigations on the In Vitro Propagation of Banana for Ultilization and Conservation
x x x
MMSU Garlic Cultivars for Ilocos Provinces x x x NARC Collection, morphological characterization
and maintenance of abaca germplasm x x x
NTA Germplasm Collection, Purification, Maintenance and Characterization of Different Tobacco Varieties, Lines, Tobacco Introductions and Related Species
x x x
PCA-ZRC Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
x x x
86
Continuation of Table 8
Stock inventories Monitoring of
viability Monitoring of genetic
integrity Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
Performed regularly
Not performed
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
x x x
Collection, maintenance and evaluation of different Dioscorea species
x x x
Maintenance, characterization and documentation of sweetpotato germplasm
x x x
Maintenance and evaluation of cassava germplasm
x x x
Collection, maintenance and characterization of taro germplasm
x x x
PhilRootcrops
Collection and maintenance of other minor rootcrops
x x x
Conserve Center based seed bank x x x SEARICE CVSCAFT Center-based seed bank x x x
SRA-LGAREC Germplasm Collection, Characterization and Maintenance
x x x
18 42 42 0 22 18 7 34
Publications on ex situ activities are mostly in the form of hard copies
containing passport data, evaluation/characterization data, regeneration data and sometimes requests and distribution data.
NARC, PhilRice, PCA-ZRC, DOA-UPLB, IPB-NPGRL and BPI-DNCRDC
reported to be using information systems (computer-based software) that are used to store, manage or analyze data on ex situ collections that they are currently holding. These are Abaca Germplasm Information system, Germplasm Data Management System for PhilRice; International Coconut Genetic Resources Database and Coconut Data Management for PCA-ZRC, iRice for DOA-UPLB, Musa Germplasm Information System and CanePoint for IPB-NPGRL and Musa Germplasm Information System for BPI-DNCRDC.
On establishing cooperation with regional crop networks or international
organizations to conserve accessions, PCA-ZRC has entered through a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with IPGRI to undertake the research projects on molecular marker-based characterization of conserved coconut germplasm, the application of standard protocols on coconut genomic DNA isolation, embryo culture and microsatellite (SSR) molecular markers.
All of the SHs believed that the major constraints in implementing ex situ activities are the lack of funding followed by insufficient staff and equipment. Lack of training and appropriate facilities also posed constraints as well as occurrence of pests and diseases and lack of focused approach (Table 9).
87
Table 9 Major constraints in implementing ex situ conservation activities. Constraints
Stakeholder Lack of funding
In- sufficient
staff
Lack of training
In-sufficient equip’t
Lack of facilities
Insufficient or irregular electrical supply
Disaster- prone
environment
Lack of focused
approach
Occurrence of pests
and diseases
BPI-BNCRDC x x x BPI-CRD x x x BPI-DNCRDC x x x x x x BPI-LBNCRDC x x x x BPI-LGNCRDC x x x x x BPI-NMRDC x x x x x x x CMU x x x x x x x DMMMSU x x x x x DA-STIARC x x x x x DOA-UPLB x x x x x x x ERDB x x IPB-NPGRL x x x x x x x MMSU x x x x x x x NARC x x x x x x NTA x x x x x PCA-ZRC x x x x x x x PhilRice x x x x x x PhilRootcrops x x x x x x SEARICE x x x SRA-LGAREC x x x x WPU x x x x x x x
21 21 19 14 17 14 6 4 8 9 Priorities, needs and constraints to sustaining existing ex situ collections
SHs stressed that characterization and evaluation of existing ex situ
collections are inadequate; they need to be given attention to add value to the collection, and to improve their utilization which will help justify the need to sustain the ex situ collection. The support for the maintenance of field and seed genebanks is inadequate and needs to be addressed to insure the sustained maintenance of ex situ collections. Updated resource inventory/survey of bamboo, rattan, other medicinal plants, and wild food plants must be done for clearer action planning. There is a need for long term storage facilities for ex-situ conservation activities as support to genebank colllection for safety duplication of accessions. The national programme for sustaining ex-situ collections and promoting public awareness of the value of PGRFA for conservation and utilization must be strengthened. Retrieval of lost collections of tropical fruits, characterization of existing collections, and fund support should be given priority.
Collection efforts on areas where genetic erosion exists should be strengthened. There is a need to establish duplicate collections for collections located in areas that are affected by urbanization.
88
Improvement of facilities and equipment is needed to sustain the existence of ex-situ collections. It was suggested that the government should assist and support farming communities with their local initiatives on community seed banking, in terms of facilities, training, funding and others.
There is a need for skilled personnel to perform activities in ex-situ conservation and training on biochemical and molecular characterization
Lastly, it was emphasized that national support for ex situ conservation
should be sustained and not project-based. Priority Area 6 Regenerating Threatened Ex Situ Accessions Regeneration is a component activity of six (6) projects involving ex situ conservation (Table 10). A total of 4,269 accessions of different crops had already been regenerated according to established standards while 5,204 are yet to be regenerated. The standardized techniques for regeneration and multiplication of crop germplasm are followed by the SHs. The seed genebanks’ protocols on genebank operations and procedures for handling seeds in genebanks are used as guidelines in the regeneration projects. Regeneration is estimated to be completed from three to 10 years. Table 10 Regeneration of ex situ PGR collections conducted by SHs (1997-2006).
Priority status
Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection Name of regeneration project(s) Name of taxon Not
yet set
Set and activies are underway
No. of acces-sions in need
of regene-ration
No. of accessions
already regenerated according to established standards
Est. no. of years required
to complete regene-ration
Southeast Asian Regional Germplasm for Banana and Plantain
Musa sp. x BPI-DNCRDC
BPI-DNCRDC Tropical Fruit Crops Germplasm
Citrus x
Lycopersicon esculentum x 5 11 Cucurbita moschata x 2 4 Vigna unguiculata x 5 3 Amaranthus viridis x 13 13 Momordica charantia x 2 13 Lagenaria siceraria x 4 6 Cucumis sativus x 5 Clitoria ternatea x 1 1 Basella sp. x 2 10 Solanum melongena x 2 Luffa acutangula x 7 Luffa aegyptiaca x 1
Promoting the Utilization of Indigenous Vegetables for Improved Nutrition of Resource-Poor Households
Germplasm Conservation, Regeneration, Documentation, Characterization and Evaluation of Indigenous Vegetables
Eryngium foetidum x 4 Lycopersicon esculentum x 11 17 Cucurbita moschata x 11 10 Solanum melongena x 30 12 Vigna unguiculata x 15 42 Glycine max subsp. soja x 10 13
BPI-LBNCRDC
Acquisition, Conservation and Utilization of Priority Vegetables: Tomato, Eggplant, Yardlong Bean, Squash, Mungbean and Vegetable Soybean
Acquisition, Conservation and Utilization of Priority Vegetables: Tomato, Eggplant, Yardlong Bean, Squash, Mungbean and Vegetable Soybean Vigna radiata x 96 107
89
Continuation of Table 10 Priority status
Stakeholder Name of ex situ collection Name of regeneration project(s) Name of taxon Not
yet set
Set and activies are underway
No. of acces-sions in need
of regene-ration
No. of accessions
already regenerated according to established standards
Est. no. of years required
to complete regene-ration
DOA-UPLB Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
Oryza sativa x 500 600 3
Garlic Cultivars for Ilocos Provinces
Allium sativum x 6
Momordica charantia x 2
Luffa acutangula x 11 Abelmoschus esculentus x 3 Corchorus olitorius x 2 Amaranthus sp x 10 Lycopersicon esculentum x 4
MMSU
Participatory approach in the selection of indigenous vegetables
Promoting the utilization of indigenous vegetables for resource-poor households in Asia
Basella alba x 2 NARC Collection, conservation,
maintenance and evaluation of abaca germplasm
Collection, conservation, maintenance and evaluation of abaca germplasm
Musa textilis x 150 4
NTA Germplasm Collection, Purification, Maintenance and Characterization of Different Tobacco Varieties, Lines, Tobacco Introductions and Related Species
Nicotiana spp. x 228 395 3
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Oryza sativa x 4000 3000 4
PCA-ZRC Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
Cocos nucifera x 60 12 10
8 11 6 26 9 25 5,204 4,269
Manual on standardized research techniques in Coconut Breeding, Protocols
on Genebank Operations, Procedures for Handling Seeds in Genebanks, Regeneration and Multiplication of Germplasm Resources in Seed Genebanks: The Scientific Background are some of the published regeneration guidelines that the stakeholders from PCA-ZRC, NTA, IPB-NPGRL and BPI-LBNCRDC found to be useful in undertaking regeneration activities To reduce genetic changes or loss of genetic integrity, the SHs apply timely viability testing, suitable regeneration environment, appropriate sampling strategies, adequate isolation, adequate population size, and proper handling of regenerated material as management practices. Loss of genetic integrity in rice regeneration was reported due to too small sample size, low viability of regeneration sample, selection pressure from unsuitable environment, and mechanical contamination or loss due to improper handling.
90
For self-pollinated collections, the concerned SHs reported no backlog to on-going backlog. For cross-pollinated collections, their regeneration capability is from on-going backlog to growing backlog. SHs generally believe that their regeneration capabilities for accessions are better than that of other organizations. Priorities, needs and constraints to regenerating ex situ accessions
The cost of generating accessions that have fallen below acceptable levels of seed quality and quantity is prohibitive for our national program considering the present level of funding. As an emergency measure, seed quality for all seed collections should be determined, and emergency funds must be provided to insure the regeneration of accessions that are threatened.
Major constraints are the absence of adequate storage facilities, genetic
erosion, gap filling, lack of financial support, lack of training on regeneration of ex situ accessions and small area for regeneration.
Priority Area 7 Supporting Planned and Targeted Collecting of Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Collecting missions carried out in almost the entire Philippines were
conducted by 6 SHs in 12 collecting missions for abaca, rice, coconut, maize, rootcrops, grasses, sorghum, indigenous vegetables and fruit crops and others. The highest number of accessions collected in missions was recorded to be that of rice with 1,137 accessions, followed with abaca which is 773 and the lowest is timber and lesser-used trees. Table 11. Collected PGRFA accessions from collecting missions
Stakeholder Name of collecting mission Name of collection area
Effects of different types and rates of fertilizers on the survival and growth of some timber and lesser-used tree species in Ilocos Norte
supa 1 yam 3 pannarien 1 bagbagkong 1 narrow leaf cattail 1 jasmine 1 dama de noche 1 gumamela 2 custard apple 1 citrus 3 plum 1 fruit 1 pome grenate 1 bignay 1
Germplasm collection, evaluation and utilization of vanishing plant species in Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte
star fruit 1
93
Continuation of Table 11
Stakeholder Name of collecting mission Name of collection area
Name of collected crop
Number of collected
accessions
Number of collected
accessions secured in long-term
conservation NARC Collection, morphological
characterization and maintenance of abaca germplasm
Philippines Abaca 773 588
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Palawan rice
PCA-ZRC Application of standard protocols on coconut genomic DNA isolation, embryo culture and SSR molecular markers to support genetic diversity studies and conservation programs in the Philippines
Sarangani Province Coconut 7 7
Collection and evaluation and conservation of coconut genetic resources in the Philippines using a systematic sampling strategy
Tawi-Tawi Coconut 4 4
6 22 The gaps detected in the conduct of the missions were: incomplete
geographical coverage, missing known local cultivars/landraces and historical cultivars and incomplete coverage of targeted taxa, These were detected using comparison of stored material against organization mandate, comparison of stored material against historical references and comparison of stored material against geographical references Priorities, needs and constraints to support planned and targeted collecting PGRFA
The national PGR network has identified priority species for targeted collecting, among which are indigenous vegetables, yam, taro, traditional maize varieties, pili, Garcinia, mango, banana, abaca, wild rice species and wild type coconuts. There are qualified staff who can conduct the collecting activity.
One of the major constraints is the low priority of the institutions accorded to
plant genetic conservation activities. There is no policy in place for planned and targeted collecting of rare, endangered or threatened species (e.g. wild species of Oryza, Abelmoschus, Vigna, Mangifera, Musa, Canarium, medicinal plants and wild type coconut) of PGRFA. There are no on-going researches to identify gaps and identify threatened PGRFA.
Funding support needs to be provided for collecting, establishment and
maintenance, and initial regeneration.
94
Priority Area 8 Expanding Ex Situ Conservation Activities
Publications were made available by some of the SHs on management strategies and/or improved methodologies for ex situ conservation of PGR for information of interested individuals and researchers. Research on improved technologies for ex situ conservation of crop germplasm is an important activity. The SHs have identified their levels of but they have also identified the level of their needs to conduct researches on this aspect (Table 12).
Table 12 Stakeholders’ need and capacity for research on improved methodologies for ex situ conservation.
Priorities, needs and constraints to expanding ex situ conservation activities
The national network has identified the need to undertake in vitro conservation, cryopreservation and ultra-dry seed storage of appropriate species under appropriate conditions. Protocol development and verification need to be done for the last two strategies. The SHs identified the need to establish a database, more training for full time researchers, provision for the use of generated income, fiscal autonomy and involvement of the local units to expand and sustain the ex situ conservation activities.
The SHs identified the following priorities: 1) the need to expand ex situ
conservation activities for other wild food species, and 2) inventory and collection of threatened species. They also identified the following constraints encountered in ex situ conservation activities: 1) lack of funding support, training, and manpower, and 2) implementation of the bioprospecting provisions of Executive Order No. 247 (Prescribing Guidelines and Establishing a Regulatory Framework for the
Stakeholder Need Capacity BPI-BNCRDC Medium High BPI-CRD High Medium BPI-DNCRDC High Low
BPI-LBNCRDC Medium High BPI-NMRDC High Medium DMMMSU High Low DOA-UPLB High Medium ERDB High Medium IPB-NPGRL Medium High LAES Medium Medium MMSU High Medium NARC High Medium PCA-ZRC Medium High PhilRootcrops Medium High SRA-LGAREC Medium Medium WPU High Low
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Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Resources, Their By-Product and Derivatives, for Scientific and Commercial Purposes; and for other Purposes). C. Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Priority Area 9 Expanding the Characterization, Evaluation and Number of
Core Collections to Facilitate Use
Seventeen (17) SHs reported to have conducted 40 ex situ projects involving 53 different taxa on characterization and evaluation of PGR. Table 13 shows the percent accessions characterized through their morphological traits and molecular markers and the percent accessions evaluated through their agronomic/bio-chemical traits orabiotic and biotic stresses. Table 13. Percent of accessions characterized and/or evaluated for the various
17 40 53 3.37 to 100 4 to 24 5 to 100 10 to 80 3 to 97 3 to 100
Seventeen (17) of the SHs have the capacity to perform morphological traits characterization on the below listed 59 taxa/crop. Five (5) SHs have the capability to conduct molecular markers characterization, six (6) can perform abiotic stress evaluation, nine (9) SHs can conduct biotic stress evaluation while four (4) have no capacity to perform evaluation of agronomic traits. NARC, PCA-ZRC and PhilRice have the capacity to perform biochemical evaluation of plants (Table 14).
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Table 14 Capacity of SHs to conduct germplasm characterization/evaluation. Organization’s capacity in germplasm characterization/evaluation:
Stakeholder Name of taxon/crop/crop group Morphological
traits Molecular markers
Agronomic traits
Biochemical traits
Abiotic stress
Biotic stress
Citrus maxima x X x Citrus reticulata x X x Satsuma x X x Citrus sinensis x X x
BPI-BNCRDC
Common sweet orange x X x BPI-CRD Medicinal and spice crops x
Banana and plantain x X BPI-DNCRDC Tropical fruits x X Lycopersicon esculentum x X x x Solanum melongena x X x x Vigna radiata x X x x Vigna unguiculata x X x x Cucurbita moschata x X x x Glycine max x x x x Amaranth viridis x x x x Basella alba x x x x Cochorous olitorius x x x x Benincasa hispida x x Arachis hypogea x x Hibiscus sadariffa x x Psophocarpus tetranoglobus x x x x Momordica charantia x x x x Luffa aegyptiaca x x Lagenaria siceraria x x Clitoria ternatea x x x x Ipomea aquatica. X x x x Abelmoschus esculentum x x
BPI-LBNCRDC
Trichosanthes cucumerina x x Glycine max x x Vigna radiata x x Arachis hypogaea x x Vigna unguiculata x x Ipomea batatas x x Zea mays x x
BPI-LGNCRDC
Vigna umbellata x x BPI-NMRDC Mangifera indica x
Citrus maxima x Citrus reticulata x Citrus sinensis x Mangifera indica x Artocarpus heterophyllus x Canarium ovatum x Durio zibethinus x Lansium domesticum x Litchi chinensis x
DA-STIARC
Nephelium lappaceum x Morus alba x x x Dioscorea alata x x Dioscorea hispida x x
DMMMSU
Dioscorea esculenta x x
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Continuation of Table 14 Organization’s capacity in germplasm characterization/evaluation:
Stakeholder Name of taxon/crop/crop group Morphological
traits Molecular markers
Agronomic traits
Biochemical traits
Abiotic stress
Biotic stress
Citrus sinensis x x Citrus reticulata x x Musa acuminata x x Musa balbisiana x x Mungo x x Citrus x x
Banana x x DOA-UPLB Oryza sativa x x x
Bamboo x x x x ERDB Rattan x x x x
NARC Musa textilis x x x X x x NTA Nicotiana spp. x x PCA-ZRC Cocos nucifera x x x X x x PhilRice Oryza sativa x x x X x x
Dioscorea sp x x x x Ipomoea batatas x x x x Manihot esculenta x x x x
PhilRootcrops
Colocasia esculenta x x x x SEARICE Oryza sativa x x
Saccharum sp. X x x x Saccharum spontaneum x x x x Saccharum sinense x x x x
SRA-LGAREC
Saccharum officinarum x x x x 17 59 59 9 49 3 23 33
Table 15 shows that 10 SHs conducted a total of 18
programmes/projects/activities on germplasm characterization and/or evaluation of vegetables, indigenous vegetables, rice, coconut, abaca and tobacco.
It also shows that citrus has the highest percentage (79.31%) of accessions in
the list of crops distributed followed by indigenous vegetables. No bamboo or rattan germplasm has been distributed. Table 15. Germplasm distributed by stakeholders.
Stakeholder Name of germplasm collection Total
number of accessions
Percent (%) distributed
at least once
BPI-BNCRDC Citrus Germplasm Conservation and Utilization 87 79.31Acquisition, Conservation and Utilization of Priority Vegetables: Tomato, Eggplant, Yardlong Bean, Squash, Mungbean and Vegetable Soybean
325 13.85
Germplasm Conservation, Regeneration, Documentation, Characterization and Evaluation of Indigenous Vegetables
100 45.00
BPI-LBNCRDC
Participatory Evaluation of Selected Indigenous Vegetable Accessions
91 49.45
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Continuation of Table 15
Stakeholder Name of germplasm collection Total
number of accessions
Percent (%) distributed
at least once
BPI-NMRDC Genebank Evaluation on Mango 75 10.67Management of Los Banos Bambusetum 15 0.00ERDB Establishment of rattan genebank 72 0.00
MMSU Garlic Cultivars for Ilocos Provinces 6 16.67NARC Collection, morphological characterization and
maintenance of abaca germplasm 773 47.22
PCA-ZRC Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
224 37.95
PhilRice Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Rice Germplasm
Yams and lesser yam germplasm 446 20CVSCAFT Center-based seed bank 180 SEARICE Center based seedbank 589
SRA-LGAREC Highly Selected Male and Female Parental Stock 144 20.83 Some of the obstacles to establishing core collections in the country are the lack of financial support, lack of trained personnel, and inadequate available information on accessions. Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
Lack of characterization and evaluation are major constraints in the use of plant genetic resources in breeding programs. The promotion of collaboration and complementation between researchers, farmers and genebanks to enhance exchange of characterization and evaluation information should be done. The national programme should include financial support and technical assistance on germplasm characterization and evaluation techniques and the establishment of core collections, and identifications of duplicates. Focus on evaluation for traits of economic importance must be given priority. There is a need for support from regional/international organizations, since information generated from these activities can be used to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity present in regionally/globally important germplam collections. Priority Area 10 Increasing Genetic Enhancement and Base-Broadening
Efforts The capability of SHs to perform breeding of different crop groups remains stable for BPI-BNCRDC, BPI-NMRDC, DOA-UPLB, DMMMSU, DA-STIARC, NARC
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and SRA-LGAREC while increasing for BPI-LBNCRDC, CMU, IPB-NPGRL, MMSU, PhilRice, PhilRootcrops and SEARICE (Table 16). However, BPI-DNCRDC, BPI-LGNCRDC, NTA and PCA-ZRC reported that their crop improvement capability is decreasing. Table 16 Capability of institutions to conduct crop improvement activities.
A total of 20 breeding projects on corn, rice, abaca, tobacco, coconut, food legumes and fruit have been reported. In general, the breeding objectives are the same, namely high yield, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to abiotic stresses and improved quality. Most of the germplasm utilized in crop improvenment were obtained from local genebanks, national genebanks, regional/international networks, CGIAR genebanks, public organizations from developed countries and the private sector.
The most common activities that were conducted for all the crops include setting breeding priorities and selecting from advanced lines or varieties (participatory varietal selection). For rice and corn, selecting from segregating populations and making crosses, and selecting/identifying parentals were also done.
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The catalog of crop varieties recommended by the NSIC is given in the attachment. In addition some breeding institutions have released crop varieties not included in the NSIC list. Ten (10) SHs had conducted 17 projects concerning genetic enhancement in crops like papaya, mango, corn, rice, abaca, tobacco, coconut and food legumes. They conducted population improvement through incorporation of base broadening and genetic enhancement by introgression for specific traits not available in current breeding materials. In some crops, farmers are involved in the setting of priorities and the implementation of the program. Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
Crop diversity studies should be done for corn under unfavorable environment and subsistence agriculture. Further enhancement and more links to novel technologies are needed to increase utilization of PGR.
There is minimal support for resource poor farmers in the upland countryside
development which poses a constraint in the implementation of participatory varietal improvement. There is a need to provide facilities for the genetic enhancement activities. Training courses on plant breeding and genetics and financial support should be provided. There is also a need for support to the breeding activities conducted by farmers such as recognition of farmer-breeders and recognition and protection of varieties developed by farmers. Priority Area 11 Promoting Sustainable Agriculture through Diversification
of Crop Production and Broader Diversity in Crops, Eighteen (18) projects were conducted by 11 SHs involving more than 16 taxa (Table 17). These projects covered the topics of assessing/monitoring intra-specific diversity in crops, increasing intra-specific diversity in crops, assessing/ monitoring diversity in agricultural systems, increasing diversity in agricultural systems and participatory diversity methods application. Table 17 Programme/project/activity related to assessment or improvement of
diversity within and among crops or crop production in which the SHs participate.
Topics covered
Stakeholder Name of programme/project/activity Name of Taxon/Crop
Assessing/ monitoring
intra-specific diversity in
crops
Increasing intra-specific diversity in
crops
Assessing/ monitoring diversity in agricultural
systems
Increasing diversity in agricultural
systems
Participatory diversity methods applied
BPI-LBNCRDC
Acquisition,Conservation and Utilization of priority vegetables: Eggplant, Mungbean, Squash, tomato,vegetable soybean and yardlongbean
Integrated Farming System rice, corn, vegetables, fruit trees, herbal plants
X X X
11 18 16 12 10 5 8 6
The major constraints listed by the SHs in diversifying crop production and broadening diversity in crops are: Obstacles to officially release heterogeneous
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material as cultivars, policy/legal obstacles, marketing/commercial obstacles, promotion and awareness on the utilization of lesser known PGRFA and land tenure. Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
Incentive schemes must be provided to diversify crop production. There is a need to consolidate available information on uses and value of lesser known PGRFA and develop strategies for their promotion. The government should encourage farmers to diversify their crop, not merely monocropping, i.e. HVC-focused crops. There is a need to develop markets for local products of farmers. Finally, agricultural credit/loans should be provided to farmers growing traditional crop varieties. Priority Area 12 Promoting Development and Commercialization of Under-
Utilized Crops and Species
Seven (7) projects related to the development or commercialization of under-utilized crops or species, local varieties and/or 'diversity-rich' products have been conducted by 9 SHs (Table 18). The projects involved research, crop improvement, seed distribution, improving processing, market development and public awareness of local and underutilized species for food and other uses. The sustainable use and marketing of under-utilized species is supported by Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act). Table 18. Projects conducted by the SHs related to the development or
commercialization of under-utilized crops or species Stakeholder Name of
programme/project/activity Target Name of taxon Topics covered
BPI-BNCRDC Conservation of Indigenous vegetables
Under-utilized vegetables
Research; Public awareness
BPI-CRD Conservation of Indigenous vegetables
Under-utilized vegetables
Research; Public awareness
Conservation and Utilization of Tropical fruits
Under-utilized fruits
Durio graveolens Research BPI-DNCRDC
Conservation of Indigenous vegetables
Under-utilized vegetables
Research; Public awareness
Promoting Iivelihood Under-utilized vegetables
BPI-LBNCRDC
Conservation of Indigenous vegetables
Under-utilized vegetables
Research; Public awareness
BPI-LGNCRDC
Conservation of Indigenous vegetables
Under-utilized vegetables
Research; Public awareness
CMU Conservation of Some Economically Important Selaginella and Equisetum (Fern Allies) Through Micropropagation
Local varieties Ferns and Fern Allies Crop improvement
Under-ultilized crops or species
Althernanthera ficoides Research; Product development
DMMMSU Development of Food Products from Indigenous Plants
Under-ultilized crops or species
Portulaca oleraceae Product development
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Continuation of Table 18 Stakeholder Name of
programme/project/activity Target Name of taxon Topics covered
Under-ultilized crops or species
Synedrella nodiflora Research
Medicinal plants Indigenous medicinal Research; Product development
ERDB (and ERDS Field offices)
Collection, Conservation and Characterization of germplasm of bamboos and rattan; Identification and promotion of 100 selected wildfood and medicinal plants
Under-utilized species with agro-industrial uses, food and medicinal
Research; Planting materials distribution of selected grown species
WPU Conservation of Tropical Fruits Under-utilized fruits
(update) Research
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
The Philippines is endowed with rich flora which has nutritional and medicinal values and can be tapped for additional sources of food and other uses. The following are the needs and priorities to promote development and commercialization of under-utilized crops and species: There should be a provision for research and development on value addition and
diversification for indigenous under-utilized PGRFA. Food and medicinal compositions of indigenous plants should be analyzed. Financial support is needed to undertake research on product development of
underutilized crop species. Priority Area 13 Supporting Seed Production and Distribution Republic Act 7308 known as the Seed Industry Act is in place to develop and expand the local seed systems for cereal, legumes, rootcrops, certain vegetables, fruits, industrial crops and ornamentals which are important to small-scale farmers. This law has created the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) which is responsible for the variety registration in the Philippines. Listing of registered varieties for 1994 to 2005 per crop is enumerated in Annex 2 and their individual descriptions could be found in NSIC Catalogues. This catalogue gives information on the taxon name, target agro-ecology, characteristics regarding reactions to pests and diseases, grain quality and name of breeder. Seed quality standards like physical purity, germinability and others are applied in cereals, legumes and vegetables based on International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules and on nationally defined rules. The government prescribes and supports the production and distribution of planting materials of the varieties registered by NSIC. However, there is no government incentive for quality seed production of local varieties and/or under-utilized crops. Certain NGOs and POs give incentives in terms of price for local varieties that are organically grown.
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A total of 14 SHs conducted 27 projects involving citrus, mango, corn, rice, garlic, tobacco, coconut, napier grass, banana, sweet sorghum, pigeon pea and other priority vegetables. The projects were focused on seed production, distribution, processing, storage, quality control, participatory community-based activities and linkages between formal and informal seed sectors. Table 19 shows that tropical fruits and tobacco recorded the most number (11) of major constraints in making seeds of new varieties available in the market, followed by white corn, root crops, garlic and rice (each having recorded 10 major constarints). The least number was recorded by sugarcane. Table 19 Major constraints in the country in making seed of new varieties of
different crops available in the market. Constraint Citrus White
Insufficient availability of disease-free planting material
X X X X X X
Availability and cost of required production inputs
X X X X X X X X* X X
Insufficient availability of basic/foundation seed
X X X X X X
Insufficient availability of commercial seed X X X X X X X X X X X X
Poor seed storage facilities X X X X X X X
Inadequate seed distribution systems X X X X X X X X X X X X
Distance to seed supplier X X X X X X X X X
Inadequate seed production systems X X X X X X
Insufficient availability of registered/certified seed
X X X X X X
Poor seed germinability X X
Seed price too high as compared to commodity price
X X X X X X X
Varieties poorly adapted to local conditions
X X
Low farm gate price X X X X X X X X X X X Farmers’ not informed on benefits of using certified/good seeds
X X X
Total No. of constraints
8 10 7 9 8 10 11 10 11 7 10 5 4
* High cost of producing coconut hybrids It is estimated that modern varieties of rice are grown in approximately 90-95% of the total area planted to rice. Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
Sustainable sources of high quality planting materials to replant more than one million hectares of senile and unproductive coconut palms is one priority that PCA-ZRC listed.
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There is a need to broaden the concept of seed supply system and to further enhance the integration of the informal seed production system into the formal seed system and vice versa. The present seed certification system is limited only to NSIC-registered varieties, and does accommodate farmers’ and traditional varieties. Financial support and education campaign to the farmers on the benefits and advantages of using certified/good seeds are also needed. Priority Area 14 Developing New Markets for Local Varieties and 'Diversity-
Rich' Products
One of the objectives of AFMA is to support the development of new markets for diversity rich' products. However, current attempts to develop new products for underutilized crops had meager financial support and opening up of new markets depends on initiatives of research institutions and local government units. Efforts had been made by SHs towards developing value-added processing of 'diversity-rich' products for commercial purposes. These efforts include the following: 1) evaluation of processed products of different varieties of mango, 2) improvement and development of new products in abaca, 3) establishment of new markets for virgin coconut oil, coconut fiber & coir dust are, development of coconut novelty products and coconut sugar for value-adding opportunities, 4) production of recipes of different varieties/ indigenous vegetables for promotion and adoption of the products especially nutritive value added to the products, 5) exhibit and promotion of rice-based delicacies in agricultural fairs and rice festivals (including distribution to interested farmers of a cookbook containing rice-based product recipes), 6) other uses of tobacco and 7) processed products of sweetpotato, yam, taro and cassava. Table 20 presents the SHs’ assessment of their efforts to develop new markets for diversity-rich products.
Strengthening cooperation with producers, organic farming, establishment of biogardens in primary schools, street fairs, trainings and technology demonstrations and participation in agro-industrial fairs are some of the strategies that had been that had been implemented to promote markets for local varieties and 'diversity-rich' products. The current market situation of some crops as reported by 13 SHs are also revealed in the same table. The table shows that no attempts are currently being undertaken to develop new markets for durian, vegetable legumes, indigenous vegetables, sweet potato, yam and garlic. The reason behind it can be that the markets for these crops are already well-established (as in the case of legume vegetables) or there is already a market but limited (like that of garlic). For rice, corn, mango, banana, abaca, coconut, ipomea and manihot, existing markets are well-established, have been expanded and some new markets are being developed.
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Table 20 Current market situation of different crops and number of local varieties with economic potential for new market development
Current market situation
Stakeholder Name of taxon/crop
No attempts are presently being made to develop new markets
Attempts are underway to develop new markets
A limited number of new markets have been developed
Existing markets have been expanded and some new markets developed
Markets are well established and expanded
No. of local
varieties in the
market
No. of local varieties with
economic potential for new markets development
BPI-NMRDC Mango x 8 6 BPI-DNCRDC Durian x 3
Vegetable legumes x x 37 25 BPI-LBNCRDC Indigenous vegetables x 120 30
CMU Corn x 10 25 DOA-UPLB Rice x x x
Corn x 2 2 Sweetpotato x 10 5 Yam x 2 1 Banana x 10 6
IPB-NPGRL
Mango x 6 2 MMSU Garlic x x 1 3 NARC Abaca x x 15 5 NTA Tobacco x 11 2 PCA-ZRC Coconut x x 100 25 PhilRice Rice x 30 10
Dioscorea x 5 3 Ipomoea x 10 10 Manihot x Colocasia x 5 3 Xanthosoma x 3 3
PhilRootcrops
Pachyrhizus x 1 1 Rice x 15 41 SEARICE Rice x 15
13 20 6 6 5 6 7
Different efforts have been made by the SHs towards developing value-added
processing of 'diversity-rich' products for commercial purposes. BPI-NMRDC has conducted evaluation trials on processing of different varieties of mangoes, NARC has implemented researches on the improvement and development of new products, NTA has conducted researches on other uses of tobacco particularly pulp production, hand made paper, tobacco dust for insecticide and molluscicide. PCA-ZRC has created new markets for virgin coconut oil, coconut fiber & coir dust, and are looking at value-adding opportunities for coconut novelty products and coconut sugar. SEARICE has showcased processed food during food fairs and rice festivals.
The following incentives have been implemented to promote markets for local
varieties and 'diversity-rich' products: strengthening cooperation of producers, organic farming, incorporation in school curricula, street fairs, trainings and technology demonstrations and agro-industrial fairs.
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The following critical constraints to increasing markets for local varieties and 'diversity-rich' products in the country were identified: Uniformity standards in the country discourage 'diversity rich' products Lack of financial support Lack of trained personnel Insufficient seed or planting material Lack of consumer demand Legal restrictions Emphasis on modern cultivars of staple crops Development/establishment of markets for local varieties is not a national priority Disincentives in the country Industrial processing limitations Uniformity standards in the country discourage 'diversity rich' products
Priorities, needs and constraints to implementation
The government support to new emerging markets for value-added products from diversity rich local varieties should be given priority. Current focus on the development of improved crop varieties and their adoption displace the local varieties. Therefore, there is a need to develop new markets, both domestic and export markets, for products developed from local varieties. The government should provide support to marketing of organically-grown local varieties. D. Institutions and Capacity Building Priority Area 15 Building Strong National Programmes The National Committee on Plant Genetic Resources (NCPGR), created in 1983 sets the directions and policies on plant genetic resources conservation and management in the country. The participating agencies include plant breeders; Non-government organizations; universities; and government agencies involve in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. In 2001, on the other hand, the PNNPGRFA was established to operationalize a system of sustainable conservation and use of PGRFA. Plant breeders, SCUs; national genebanks and the Department of Agriculture are the participating agencies in this network.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has entered into an agreement to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity. This convention will give the most benefit to the following GPA areas: Surveying and inventorying PGRFA Promoting in situ conservation of wild crop relatives Sustaining existing ex situ collections Promoting sustainable agriculture
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Promoting development and commercialization of under-utilized crops and species
Building strong national programmes Promoting networks for PGRFA Expanding and improving education and training Promoting public awareness of the value of PGRFA conservation and use
Short-term trainings on the conservation and use of PGRFA were provided by
the network and NGOs. This contributed to the increasing number of technical staff in institutions involved in the conservation and use of PGRFA. Comments on opportunities, challenges, needs, constraints and national priorities to establish and strengthen institutions and enhance national capacity to conserve and promote sustainable use of PGRFA
There is a need for a sustained operation of the national programme on PGRFA. The revival of the national committee for PGRFA may enhance the national effort to conserve PGRFA. Training on PGR and a regular newsletter or journal is needed and recommended to establish and strengthen institutions and enhance national capacity to conserve and promote sustainable use of PGRFA.
The convergence of government and private sectors, with the government
providing the catalytic environment is also recommended. Priority Area 16 Promoting Networks for Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture
The Regional Cooperation in Southeast Asia for Plant Genetic Resources (RECSEA-PGR) and the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT), INIBAP (International Network for Improvement of Banana And Plantain), ANSWER (Asian Network on Sweet Potato Genetic Resources), AVNET (Asian Vegetable Network), BAPNET (Banana Asia and Pacific Network), INGER (International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice), APAN (Asia-Pacific Agro-Forestry Network), APCC (Asia-Pacific Coconut Commission), UTFANET (Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits Network), APINMAP (Asia-Pacific International Network on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), TANSAO (Taro Network for Southeast Asia and Oceania) are networks wherein the Philippines is a member, whose main activities are to foster regional cooperation for plant genetic resources conservation and sustainable use in the region, and promote technology transfer to upgrade the capability of the national PGR programme. Through these PGRFA networks, the country has gained the following benefits: Transfer of technology
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Back up safety duplication of germplasm (please refer to Table 5) Improved access to markets for PGRFA products Exchange of germplasm Increased SHs participation Access to financial resources through participation Increased research facilities Sharing of responsibilities for network activities Exchange of technical expertise Training for national programme scientists Exchange of information Access to advanced research results Increased awareness of PGRFA
Table 21 lists some projects carried out by some SHs in collaboration with PGRFA networks. From these projects 14 publications in the context of the network activities from DOA-UPLB, PCA-ZRC and SEARICE were published. Table 21 List of programme/project/activity carried out by SHs in collaboration with
PGRFA networks. Stakeholder Name of programme/project/activity
BPI-LBNCRDC Acquisition, Conservation and utilization of priority vegetables: Eggplant. Mungbean, squash, tomato, vegetable soybean and yardlongbean
DMMMSU and MMSU
Germplasm Collection of Banana
Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
DOA-UPLB
Safeguarding and preserving the biodiversity of the rice genepool in the Philippines
IPB-NPGRL Collection, Conservation and Utilization of Indigenous Vegetable Germplasm Application of standard protocols on coconut genomic DNA isolation, embryo culture and SSR molecular markers to support genetic diversity studies and conservation programs in the Philippines Collection and evaluation and conservation of coconut genetic resources in the Philippines using a systematic sampling strategy Collection and evaluation of coconut cultivars and conservation of genetic resources
PCA-ZRC
Farmer participatory research to identify multi-purpose uses of coconut and suitable varieties; and in situ coconut genetic resources conservation and use in localized conditions through coconut farming systems approach
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Continuation of Table 21 Stakeholder Name of programme/project/activity
Marker assisted identification and utilization of outstanding tall population and hybrids for an accelerated coconut replanting. Sub-project Components: Project 1. Identification and utilization of outstanding tall populations for an accelerated replanting program. Project 2. Development of DNA markers for identification and utilization of outstanding tall populations and hybrids for accelerated coconut replanting
Poverty Reduction in Coconut Growing Communities Project (PRCGC)
PhilRice Safeguarding and preserving the biodiversity of the rice genepool in the Philippines
PhilRootcrops Evaluation and breeding for rainfed cropping systems in Southeast Asia and Oceania (TANSAO: Taro Network for Southeast Asia and Oceania) CVSCAFT-SEARICE-FCC collaboration Bohol Initiators for Sustainable Agriculture and Development Bohol Network for Farmers Rights
SEARICE
Provincial programme on PGR CDU
The government provided technical expertise in joint activities; organized and hosted network meetings, and gave information and management support to the network. It also provided funds for travel costs to attend meetings and publishing costs. However, lack of financial resources often posed a major constraint to the effective participation of the country in regional and/or international PGRFA networks. Also, national policies limited the ability of the country to share germplasm and there were no policies yet established on benefit-sharing among potential partners. Comments on promoting networks for PGRFA
The activities of the networks on PGRFA should be sustained by allocating appropriate funds to support programs of the network. Concerned NGOs have also established local and regional networks that work on PGRFA. Priority Area 17 Constructing Comprehensive Information Systems for
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture In the Philippines, there is no standardized data management and information system installed. Some SHs conducts projects/activities that develop data and
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information management systems for PGRFA (Table 22).
Table 22 List of programme/project/activity conducted by SHs on the development of data and information management systems for PGRFA.
Stakeholder Name of programme/project/activity BPI-DNCRDC Musa Germplasm Information System BPI-NMRDC Genebank Evaluation on Mango
Rice Germplasm Acquisition, Characterization, Evaluation, Conservation and Documentation
DOA-UPLB
iRICE Documentation of crop germplasm (7 projects) CanePoint
IPB-NPGRL
Musa Germplasm Information System Coconut Genetic Resources Database PCA-ZRC
Coconut Data Management System PhilRice GEMS and ICIS SEARICE Rice Database SRA-LGAREC SRA Germplasm Database
Conservation and Use of Tropical Fruit Species Diversity in the Philippines Palawan Rice Germplasm
WPU
Conservation and Use of Tropical Fruit Species Diversity in the Philippines
Comments on opportunities, challenges, needs, constraints and national priorities on developing comprehensive information systems for efficient management of crop diversity and its use The following are the SHs’ comments on developing comprehensive information systems for efficient management of crop diversity and its use:
No staff dedicated to manage the information system. Lack of trained personnel No computers dedicated for data base Lack of financial support Data base establishment on PGR not given priority Information system should be available where farmers can access and use
Priority Area 18 Developing Monitoring and Early Warning Systems for
Loss of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture The Philippines recognizes the threat of genetic erosion and genetic vulnerability in the county and the need to assess them. However, a mechanism to assess genetic erosion is in place only for ex situ and this is the genebank
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monitoring. Ne1vertheless, the problem of lack of financial resources hinders the successful implementation of this activity.
In a continuing study, the status of a natural population of Oryza minuta in Pangil, Laguna is being monitored to assess the rate and degree of genetic erosion. In the case of sympatric populations of O. minuta and O. officinalis in Leyte, three monitoring visits were conducted. In sweetpotato, an assessment of erosion of genetic diversity in Central Luzon was conducted. A continuing assessment of the diversity and extent of genetic erosion was done on wild type coconut in Samar, Homonhon, and Siargao islands. Comment on developing and using early warning systems, their constraints and opportunities, and the extent of external support needed to develop and use appropriate early warning systems to monitoring genetic erosion of PGRFA and genetic vulnerability caused by this erosion in the country
There is a need to establish an operational early warning system to monitor genetic erosion of PGRFA. This should be incorporated as a regular activity of the national programme. The lack of funding is the primary constraint. Monitoring and development of an early warning system on the possible occurrence of genetic erosion should be developed for wild species of Oryza, Abelmoschus, Vigna, Mangifera, Musa, Canarium, medicinal plants and wild type coconut; and for the existing diversity in traditional varieties of rice, maize, vegetables, food legumes, fruits, coffee and cacao. Priority Area 19. Expanding and Improving Education and Training A total of 69 training courses that addresses the different GPA activity areas (Table 23) were attended by 200 personnel of the different SHs were reported. Table 23. Trainings covering GPA priority area activities.
Stakeholder Name of training course GPA activity areas addressed Number of
participating staff
BPI-BNCRDC Workshop on Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
National Seminar on the Protection of Plant Varieties
Priority Area 13 3
Plant Variety Protection Implementation and Planning Workshop
Priority Area 13 3
Seminar Series on the State of the Art of Medicinal Plant Research and Business Opportunities
Priority Area 12; Priority Area 14
7
Workshop on the Development of Descriptors for Priority Medicinal Plants
Priority Area 9 3
BPI-CRD
Sustainable Utilization and Management of Agrobiodiversity
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 10 1
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Continuation of Table 23 Stakeholder Name of training course GPA activity areas addressed Number of
participating staff
Plant Variety Protection, Orientation and Principles of Variety Examination
Priority Area 13 10
Workshop on Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
10
Plant Genetic Resources Documentation and Information Management
Priority Area 17 2
Executive Training Course on National Resource Management in Globalizing Asia
Priority Area 4 4
Workshop on Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
Regional Training Course on Characterization, Evaluation and Conservation of Tropical Fruit Genetic Resources
Training on Plant Genetic Resources Documenta-tion and Information Management of Tropical fruits
Priority Area 17 1
Plant genetic Resources Conservation and Management
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
2
RETA 6067 Final Workshop on Promoting Utilization of Indigenous Vegetables for Improved Nutrition of Resource-poor households in Asia
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 13
3
Training on Regeneration, characterization and evaluation of vegetable soybean, other legumes and indigenous vegetables
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 9 1
Training workshop on conducting trials of Promising Vegetable varieties
Priority Area 10 1
Plant variety Protection: Orientation and principles of variety Examination
Priority Area 13 7
Asian Productivity Organizations training course on Tissue culture
Priority Area 13 1
Virus indexing and orchid micropropagation Priority Area 13 1 Training on Anthurium Propagation (in-vitro) Priority Area 13 1
BPI-LBNCRDC
Short course on orchid Tissue culture Priority Area 13 1 BPI-LGNCRDC Workshop on Sustainable Conservation and
Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; PriorityArea 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
Training Course on Plant Material Certification Priority Area 13 1 Asian Regional Technical Meeting for Plant Variety Protection of New Plant Varoieties
Priority Area 13 1
Regional Training Course on Plant Material Certification
Priority Area 13 2
BPI-NMRDC
Training on Plant Genetic Resources Documentation and Information Management of Tropical fruits
Priority Area 17 1
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Continuation of Table 23
Stakeholder Name of training course GPA activity areas addressed Number of
participating staff
CMU Post-Graduate Training (MS in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
Regional Training Course on Characterization, Evaluation and Conservation of Tropical Fruit Genetic Resources
Seed Improvement and Certification 13. Supporting Seed Production and Distribution
1
International Training Course on Seed bank Mgmt. Priority Area 5; Priority Area 9 1 DOA-UPLB Post-Graduate Training (MS in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
ERDB
Post-Graduate Training (Minor in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
2
Inventory and Workshops of PGRFA Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 7; Priority Area 8; part of Priority Area 9 on Germplasm characterization and/or evaluation; part Priority Area 10 on Plant breeding; Priority Area 17
18
Regional training course on strengthening national capacity to manage information of fruit species genetic resources
Priority Area 17 9
Training course on documentation of PGRFA Priority Area 17 7
IPB-NPGRL
Post-Graduate Training (MS in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
MMSU Post-Graduate Training (MS in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
NARC Training on Plant Genetic Resources Documentation and Information Management
Priority Area 17 1
Organization and Management of Seed Production and Supply
Priority Area 13 1
Tobacco Inspectors and Seed Growers Training Priority Area 13 6
NTA
Training Seminar on Data Management Using MS Access
Priority Area 17 6
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Continuation of Table 23
Stakeholder Name of training course GPA activity areas addressed Number of
participating staff
Indexers' Revitalization and PROSEA Databank Utilization Training
Priority Area 17 2
Data Management Using MS Access Priority Area 17 1
Training on Internet Priority Area 17 1 Farmer participatory research to identify multi-purpose uses of coconut and suitable varieties; and in situ coconut genetic resources conservation and use in localized conditions through coconut farming systems approach
Part of Priority Area 1 on Indigenous knowledge; Priority Area 2; Priority Area 11; Priority Area 13; Priority Area 14
25
Marker assisted identification and utilization of outstanding tall population and hybrids for an accelerated coconut replanting. Sub-project Components: Project 1. Identification and utilization of outstanding tall populations for an accelerated replanting program. Project 2. Development of DNA markers for identification and utilization of outstanding tall populations and hybrids for accelerated coconut replanting
Part of Priority Area 1 on Indigenous knowledge; part of Priority Area 9 on On-farm evaluation; Priority Area 11; Priority Area 13
10
Post-Graduate Training (MS in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
2
International LINK2PALM 2004 Laboratory Course in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Priority Area 10 1
Workshop on Coconut Genetic Resources Management using Microsatellite Kit and Dedicated Statistical Software
Priority Area 9 1
Regional Training Course on Establishment and Management of Field Genebanks for conservation and Use.
Priority Area 5 1
Farmer Participatory Research on Coconut Diversity-Training Workshop (Asia)
Priority Area 2 1
Biotechnology Training (Molecular Marker Technology: Microsatellite (SSR)
Priority Area 9 1
Trainors Course on Coconut Breeding Research Techniques (STANTECH), Manado, Indonesia
Priority Area 10 2
Workshop on Standardization of Coconut Breeding Research Techniques (STANTECH)
Priority Area 10 2
Hands-on training on new techniques on molecular technology and testing of primers from CIRAD
Educational Tour to Mapanget Coconut Research Station, Manado, Indonesia
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 10 2
PCA-ZRC
International Coconut Germplasm Collection and Conservation Training Course
Priority Area 5 1
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Continuation of Table 23
Stakeholder Name of training course GPA activity areas addressed Number of
participating staff
Genetic Resources Conservation and Management Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 17
1
Training Course on Plant Genetic Resources Documentation
Priority Area 17 1
MS Plant Genetic Resources Priority Area 17 1 MS Plant Breeding Priority Area 17 2
PhilRice
Ph. D. Plant Breeding Priority Area 17 2 SEARICE Southeast Asia Technical Training on Community
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Development
Priority Area 1; Priority Area 2; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 11; Priority Area 13; Priority Area 16
6
Training on Plant Genetic Resources Documentation and Information Management of Tropical Fruits
Priority Area 17 1
Regional Training Course on Characterization, Evaluation and Conservation of Tropical Fruit Genetic Resources
Priority Area 5; Priority Area 9 1
WPU
Post-Graduate Training (Minor in Plant Genetic Resources)
Priority Area 2; Priority Area 5; Priority Area 6; Priority Area 9; Priority Area 10; Priority Area 17
1
18 69 200 Table 24 lists that most of the topics that the SHs considered to be a training priority for their staff are presently not covered by any training program at the national level. Table 24. List of topics considered to be a training priority not covered by any
training program* in the national or regional level. Stakeholder Training topic/s Not available
BPI-LBNCRDC Germplasm enhancement and utilization; upstream or molecular/biotechnology based characterization and evaluation; establishment of core collection
at National level
DOA-UPLB Upstream or molecular/biotechnology based characterization and evaluation
at National level
IPB-NPGRL Enhancement and utilization of PGRFA at Regional level
LAES PGRFA enhancement and utilization; Promoting public awareness on PGRFA
at National and Regional levels
NARC Diversity assessment; Establishment of core collection; Molecular characterization;enhancement and utilization of PGRFA
at National level
NTA PGRFA surveying and inventorying at National level
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Continuation of Table 24 Stakeholder Training topic/s Not available
PhilRice The use of molecular markers to distinguish duplicates in genebank management; Policies on PGRFA; Promoting public awareness on PGRFA; In situ/on farm conservation of PGRFA; Germplasm enhancement and utilization
at National level
*Short-term trainings
There is no national strategy for education and training for PGRFA in the country. University-level education is offered to interested students. Sufficient training and education opportunities exist in the country, but it is dependent on available financial resources. There were several short course training opportunities on priority topics related to PGRFA conservation and use. Comments on establishing, improving and expanding training facilities on conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, and on the extent of external assistance needed to implement training and educational programmes in the country
Stakeholders believe that there must be a stable, established and improved training facilities for conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, especially for in vitro conservation and molecular characterization
Scholarships for appropriate staff of the national programme to undertake
degree courses on the conservation and management of biodiversity (PGRFA) should be provided.
Trainings/training courses on any of the GPA areas which are very useful to
the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA should be available and provided. There should be regular funding support from local and international
agencies/organizations for research training institutions/facilities since no capital outlay support are being programmed by the government due to financial constraints. Priority Area 20 Promoting Public Awareness of the Value of Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture Conservation and Use The awareness of the value of PGRFA is limited in the country. There is no formal programme in place in the country to promote public awareness of the value of PGRFA. The constraints to develop materials to increase public awareness are insufficient number of staff, lack of skills and knowledge on PGRFA, insufficient financial support and the activity is not a priority of the institution.
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Although some constraints were identified, some of the SHs have developed materials using different types of media to create public awareness on the value of PGRFA (Table 25). Table 25 List of products developed, media used, audience targeted and topics
covered in creating awareness on the value of PGRFA. Stakeholder Products developed Media used Audiences
targeted Topics covered
BPI-LBNCRDC Display panels and posters; Audio-visual products
Radio, press, conferences
Farmers, school children; general public
Importance of PGRFA as part of biodiversity; Environmental education
Policy makers; Scientists; Extension agents; Farmers; School children
Importance of PGRFA as part of biodiversity; Farmers' role; National policy; Environmental education
ERDB and ERDS Field offices
Audio-visual products; Display panels and posters;
Radio; Diversity fairs; Conferences
Scientists; Extension agents; Farmers; School children
PGRFA as part of biodiversity from forest resources; Environmental education
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SEARICE and the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Ikauunlad ng Agham Pangagrikultura are two NGOs involved in public awareness activities in the country. Comments on challenges, opportunities and constraints, and support received and additional support needed from regional and international organizations for increasing public awareness of the value of PGRFA.
CMU believes that additional support from the regional, national and international organizations to increase public awareness of the value of PGRFA in corn is needed. On the other hand, IPB-NPGRL stated that there is low priority given to activities on public awareness of the value of PGRFA. PCA-ZRC, NARC and PhilRice think that sustained funding support will cause increase public awareness of the value of PGRFA. Training on information system is a necessity that SEARICE considers. CHAPTER 5 ACHIEVEMENTS, CONSTRAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR
IMPROVING THE NATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING MECHANISM
Constraints 1. Some of the SHs reported that their existing computers are outdated and
cannot be upgraded. The software for the implementation of NISM requires hardware that some SHs did not have.
2. Most of the data on PGR from the SHs are not in electronic form, and had to be encoded before entry into the needed tables.
3. Lack of manpower and skill to encode the data.
a. There was insufficient communication between the SHs, the NFP and the coordinators on the problems encountered during the data gathering and recording process.
b. All the designated SH representatives have their normal workload and were therefore involved in the development of the NISM on a part time basis.
c. The support provided to the SHs was limited to technical support. 5. The importance of the project’s impact is not well understood by some of the
agency heads. 6. Lack of timely follow-up technical supports given to the SHs by the NFP. 7. Changes in leadership of the project affected the activity. 8. Many SHs did not provide data. As a result, the picture on the state of
PGRFA in the country is still incomplete. 9. The designated representatives of the SHs did not receive on time their
Special Orders which would have officially formalized their involvement in the development of the NISM.
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Achievements 1. Existing PGR collection, characterization, evaluation, conservation and
utilization data from 22 SHs are now in electronic form in the NISM. These data can be used to make an assessment of the the current status of PGRFA in order to fill information gaps and to identify needs and priorities for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA.
2. Close collaboration among SHs was achieved. 3. Based on the information available in the NISM-GPA, a report on the current
status of PGR activities in the country was prepared and the needs and priorities for the future identified.
4. Information available in the NISM-GPA was shared among SHs and is accessible to others.
5. Inspite of changes in leadership, the coordination of activities was sustained leading to the establishment of the NISM in the Philippines.
6. A network of PGR curators and SHs who share the same responsibilities and commitment was established. In addition, cordial professional relationship was also established among SHs which may prove useful in the sustained operation of the NISM.
Feedback on the operationalization and Suggestions for Improving the maintenance of NISM-GPA in the country 1. There should be thorough familiarization of the SH representatives on the use
and operation of the NISM-GPA software. 2. There should be commitment from the participating institutions, specifically
the focal institution, to allocate funding and human resources for this activity. This will insure that the activity is sustained beyond the project life.
3. The National Focal Institution for the NISM, together with the designated representatives of the SHs, should provide feedback on the accomplishments and future plans of the NISM to the leadership of the SH institutions to obtain their continued support for the activity.
4. Each PGR office should be equipped with a computer that could run the software and handle a large volume of data.
5. The NFP should provide a strong leadership to the work and should designate good technical staff to maintain and regularly update the NISM-GPA database.
6. The Steering Committee that was established to guide, advise and oversee the activities for the establishment of NISM-GPA should play a sustained role in assisting the work.
7. DA-BPI should institutionalize the NISM and provide appropriate administrative and financial support.
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Feedbacks and Suggestions to FAO
The FAO should attempt to secure sustained funding and technical support/assistance for the smooth and continuous operation of NISMs. On NISM establishment a. NISM-GPA software
A longer training period for the SHs and the data administrator is recommended on the use and operation of the NISM-GPA software.
The data to be collected must be recorded in accordance to a standardized form for ease of data input and management.
The software should have a search menu to view the contents. This will facilitate data access and retrieval.
Several sessions with the use of guide and actual data are needed to really navigate around the program with ease. This will also facilitate the exact input of the necessary information in every common table. A thorough understanding of how the common tables must be filled is important to actually see the fitness of linking the common tables and the tables within each priority area.
b. Guide Towards the National Information Sharing Mechanism on the Implementation of the GPA and its establishment
The Guide is well written and a good reference during the navigation and input of data using the NISM-GPA program.
c. GPA Implementation in Asia – a compilation of frequently asked questions
using the computer application for the establishment of NISM-GPA
Suggested FAQs:
1. Can any country input their data in the GPA-NISM? 2. If I am just a browser, can I access information? eg. Crops and their
scientific names and their relatives, the countries holding them, etc. 3. Is it possible to put search results from different sections or priority areas
in one table? 4. Can search results be filtered? 5. Is it possible to print the results of the search? 6. Is ti possible to cite GPA-NISM as reference? What is the correct citation?
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7. If am a stakeholder and I am to update/correct the submitted information, should I submit the data to the national focal person or can I directly append/modify data and inform the NFP?
8. Are e-mail addresses clickable if the software is accessed through the internet?
9. Is data migration possible? (eg. from GPA-NISM to MS Excel) d. Indicators and Reporting Format for Monitoring the Implementation of GPA
(CGRFA – 10/04/Inf.5)
A glossary of PGR terminologies used in the indicators should be provided to facilitate data entry and reporting.
Support provided by the project and FAO technical staff and collaborators
The FAO technical staff in Bangkok and IPGRI-APO (Bioversity) provided
excellent technical and logistical support to the project in the Philippines. CHAPTER 6 NEXT STEP AND FUTURE PLANS including plans of
distributing the report and communicating its results Plans and assistance of BPI for the maintenance and dissemination of GPA-NISM 1. Networking
Continue communication with stakeholders who were part of the project but were not able to provide information to the NISM, and encourage them to participate. This will ensure that a more comprehensive information on the PGR efforts in the country is achieved.
BPI will facilitate the issuance of Special Orders signed by the Secretary
of Agriculture that will officially formalize the participation of the designated representatives of the SHs. The BPI will also work for the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between DA-BPI and the participating agencies/universities involved in the project for the sustained sharing of information and implementation of NISM-GPA.
2. As focal agency of the project, BPI will maintain the database and webpage of the NISM-GPA. It will provide two (2) technical staff to be taken from technical divisions to assist in the maintenance and updating of the database and one (1) information technology support staff to update and maintain the webpage content of the project.
3. BPI will support training of stakeholders by providing food and
accommodation. BPI would like to encourage cost-sharing with the SHs
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through provision of travel and incidental expenses incurred during the training of the participants.
4. Present policy allocates at least 5% of an agency’s total budget to the Gender
and Development (GAD) program. Using this as the basis, BPI will try to appropriate funds from its regular budget (MOOE) to support the implementation of NISM-GPA. BPI will develop a Work and Financial Plan as basis for budget allocation.
5. The membership of the Steering Committee that was created earlier by BPI to
act as advisory body for this project would be reviewed and will be tasked to perform the same function to meet the goals of the project.
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Annex 1
First National Consultation-Workshop on ITPGRFA Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
National Anthem Welcome Remarks Introduction of Participants Messages
Ms. Teresita Guevarra Ms. Andrea Inocencio Mr. Ceferino A. Baniqued National Team Leader, NPGRFA Ms. Babylinda Marquez Dr. William C. Medrano Director, BAR Dr. Hernani G. Golez OIC-Director, BPI Dr. N. Quat Ng Chief Technical Advisor GPA Project, FAO-RAP
Master of Ceremonies: Ms. Solita R. Sicat
9:30 Coffee Break 10:00 Introduction of GPA Project Objectives
and Purpose of the Consultation-Workshop
Mr. Ceferino A. Baniqued National Team Leader, NPGRFA
10:30 FAO’s Role in Facilitating the Development of OTPGRFA and the Sharing of the National Information Sharing Mechanism in the Implementation of GPA for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA
Dr. N. Quat Ng Chief Technical Advisor GPA Project, FAO-RAP
11:30 GPA Monitoring Mechanism Pilot Testing in the Americas, Africa and Europe: Lesson Learned and Implications for Pilot Testing
Dr. Percy Sajise Regional Director, IPGRI
Lunch Break
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January 27 (Afternoon) 1:30 IRRI’s Contribution to GPA
Implementation in the Philippines Dr. N. Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton Director, GRC, IRRI
2:30 Demonstration and Practicum on Computer Application on NSIM-GPS (Beta Version 2.0)
Dr. Paul Quek IPGRI
Moderator: Dr. Felipe dela Cruz
3:30 Coffee Break 4:00 Computer Demo (Contuation)
Fellowship sa BPI January 28 (Morning) 8:30 Capacity Assessment for the
Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA in the Philippines
9:30 In Situ Conservation: GEF Experience Dr. Felipe dela Cruz University Researcher IPB-NPGRL, UPLB
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Annex 2
LIST OF NATIONAL SEED INDUSTRY COUNCIL (NSIC) REGISTERED VARIETIES 1994-2005