National PGR Strategy for iran

DRAFT NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PGRFA CONSERVATION AND MANGEMENT

IN I.R. IRAN

TCP/SNO/3401Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

for Adaptation to Climate Change

Regional Workshop “Exchange of Information on National PGRFA Strategies and Development of Regional Collaborative Activities”, Beirut, 22-23 September 2014

Agro-biodiversity and plant genetic resources

1. Sate of PGRFA in Iran

Figure 2. Distribution of Iran’s biomes

Types of in situ

conservation

No. of

sites

Area

(ha)

% of total

conservation

area

%of the

country land

National Park 23 1,943,558 15.18 1.17

National Natural

Monument

30 24,600.77 0.19 0.01

Wildlife Refuge 37 3,774,969 29.49 2.29

Protected Areas 113 7,055,266 55.12 4.28

Total 203 12,798,393.77 100 7.75

Types and the number of areas designated for in situ conservation of biodiversity in Iran, as of 2010.

Type of plantation Crop area(ha)

% of the total

)Field crops (total 12033740 100

Irrigated annual crops 6404084 53.2

Rain-fed annual crops 5629657 46.8

Prenial trees (total) 1631200 100

Fruit trees 1384800 91Ornamental trees and shrubs 146400 9

Types of plantation and crop cultivated area as of 2012

Conservation Institute

Type of plants

No. of accession

s

Type of collection

Place of the collection

NPGBIa Crops >70000 Seed, in vitro

Karaj & Mashad

NPGBI Fruit trees >6250 Field 37 stationsFRRIb Forest,

Rangeland & Medicinal

>31000 Seed, field

Tehran &19 stations

University of Tehran

Cereal & FL >15000 Seed Karaj

Main institutions conserving plant genetic resources in the country and the type and size of collections maintained by them

a : National Plant Gene-Bank of Iran b: Forest and Rangeland Research Institute

No. Accessions Crop17144 Wheat10379 Barley835 Rye and oat4790 Wheat wild relatives2852 Rice11654 Food legumes10254 Vegetables7872 Forages3707 Oilseeds52 Saffron

851 Others70390 Total

State of field crop collections in the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran, 2012

No. accessions Fruit tree760 Pomegranate477 Almond529 Stone fruits666 Apple &pear800 Grape234 Citrus340 Pistachio244 Date palm

1065 Walnut520 Olive140 Fig250 Hazelnut250 Other6275 Total

State of Fruit tree collections in National Plant Gene Bank of Iran, 2012

NPGBI

International agreements relevant to PGRFA in forceRatified:

CBD International Treaty on PGRFA Kartagena Biosafety Protocol

Considering:o Nagoya Protocolo UPOV

National legislations relevant to PGRFA

1. The Fourth and Fifth National Development Plans:o Prohibits transfer of GR to abroad without a permit

2. National Biosafety Law:o Identifies Ministry of Agriculture as National

Authority for Agro-biodiversity3. Draft National Law on Conservation and Use of GR: o Sets regulations for Access, IPR, Commercialization

and Benefit Sharing of GRo Establishes National structure for GR management

Threats and challenges facing PGRFA in the countryo Very High degree of erosion due to:o Environmental fragilityo changing climates (prolonged drought, increasing

temperature) o Intensification of agricultureo Livestock pressure and overgrazingo Unsustainable harvest from the natureo Increasing populationso Fast urbanization and developmento Shrinking government resources (sanctions…)

2.1. Establishment of the National PGRFA Committee2.2. Identification of PGRFA involved stakeholders2.3. Strategy vision statement and goals2.4. National Plan of Action for PGRFA management

2. Establishment of the National PGRFA Strategy

Roadmap to development of National Strategy on PGRFA

Steering Committee

Development of the draft

Steering Committee

Preliminary Endorsement of Steering Committee

Regional Workshop

Steering Committee

National Stakeholders Workshop

Endorsement by the Government

Introduction Legal and policy bases VisionComponents of the national strategy on PGRFA:

I. Conservation

1. Strategies for in situ conservation of PGRFA

2. Strategies for ex situ conservation of PGRFA

II. Sustainable use

III. Institutional policies

IV. Education and capacity-building

V. Information management and monitoring systemVI. Operational component

VII. Financial component

Structure of the Draft

Legal and Policy Bases

Country’s Constitution:

Right to food has been highlighted in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as stated in Article 34

Iran is also among a few countries that the importance of environmental protection has been emphasized in the constitution of the country as stated in Article 50

Upstream LegislationsNational Road Map on Science and Technology, the vision is "to reach sustainable development of agriculture and food security Fourth and Fifth National Developmental Master Plans

VISION and GOALS“….Improving the livelihood of the people through promoting policies and viable programs for the conservation, regeneration and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources."

1.Conservation of PGRFA for present and future use of Iran and the world 2.Promoting sustainable use of PGR for addressing food security and agricultural challenges.3.Conserving and enhancing agricultural ecosystems and their ecosystem services.4. Development of plant variety with adequate high quantity and quality adapted Iran climatic conditions.4.Upgrading, knowledge, technical knowhow and standards of PGRFA conservation, regeneration, evaluation, documentation and utilization of PGRFA5.Developing and/or upgrading necessary infrastructure and national capacities for conservation and use of genetic resources.

Components of the national strategy on PGRFA

Iran's National Strategy on PGRFA is characterized by its six main components. The vision and objectives of such strategy can be achieved by implementing such components including: conservation, Sustainable use, institutional and policy issues, education and capacity building, Operational and Financial components:

I. Conservation II. Sustainable use III. Institutional policies IV. Education and capacity-building V. Information management and monitoring systemVI. Operational component VII. Financial component

3.1. Implementing structure3.2. Convening ad hoc working groups3.3. Enabling capacities3.4. Mobilizing funds and resources

3. Implementing the National Strategy for PGRFA