National PGR Strategy for Jordan

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PGRFA CONSERVATION AND MANGEMENT IN

“Jordan”Dr Maha Q. Al Syouf

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

1. Sate of PGRFA in “ Jordan ”2. Establishment of the National PGRFA Strategy

3. Implementing the National PGRFA Strategy

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

Jordan Plant Genetic Resources

1. Sate of PGRFA in Jordan1.1. Country agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources1.2. International agreements relevant to PGRFA in force for the

country1.3. National institutions involved in PGR relevant activities 1.4. Information and data management structures1.5. Draft national legislations relevant to PGRFA1.6. Ongoing activities on PGRFA at the national level 1.7. Threats and challenges facing PGRFA in the country

1. State of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Jordan

Chapter Content

Chapter 1 Value and diversity of Plant genetic resources and future needs

Chapter 2 Ex situ biotechnology & management

Chapter 3 In situ management

Chapter 4 National research programs

Chapter 5 State of use of plant genetic resources

Chapter 6 Regional and International collaboration

Chapter 7 Access to plant genetic resources and benefit sharing

References

1.1. Country agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources

• Jordan is considered a center of origin of wheat, barley, food , forage legumes and many fruit trees such as almond and figs.

• A significant diversity in the country can be found among cultivated land races of grapes, olives, wheat, barley, chickpea and lentils.

• These crops, as well as the products derived from them such as olive oil, , wheat dough, burgul, freeka, play a central role for the food security and livelihood of Jordanian farmers.


Diversity within and between crops• The status of diversity within and between many

PGRFA crop was studied in Jordan and high diversity was encountered, which implies to encourage the use and conservation of our local landraces because of their high adaptation to different agro ecologies of the country and the wide use of these species.


The MOA along with NCARE are aware of making information available on line regarding PGR. Therefore, the established links; the NIAS, FAO and NCARE links can be of great benefit for making information available for the benefit of PGR conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing mechanisms. http://www.pgrfa.org/gpa/jor/welcomepage.htmx , http://nais-jordan.gov.jo/Pages/About.aspx?lang=EN&DId=0&I=0&CId=0&CMSId=7, http://www.ncare.gov.jo).

http://www.pgrfa.org/gpa/jor/welcomepage.htmx



http://nais-jordan.gov.jo/Pages/About.aspx?lang=EN&DId=0&I=0&CId=0&CMSId=7




Table 1 The environmental policies and strategies relevant to PGR in Jordan from 1991-2006

POLICY ISSUED BY YEAR

National Environmental Strategy (NES)Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Environment 1991

National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) Ministry of Planning 1995

Water Strategy and policies Ministry of Water 1998

National Agenda 21 General Corporation for Environmental Protection

2001

National Strategy for Agricultural Development Higher Socio-Economic Council 2002

Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Ministry of Environment 2002

National Strategy for Tourism Ministry of Tourism 2004

National Energy Strategy Ministry of Energy 2005

National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat desertification Ministry of Environment 2005

The National Agenda Royal National Agenda Committee 2006

Policy-Oriented Research, Priorities, Guidelines, Procedures, and Tools to Conduct, Promote and Support the Implementation of Rio Conventions in Jordan

Ministry of Environment 2013

Conservation and sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources a Strategy for the Near East and North Africa region

The Near East and North Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network AARENINA -ICAREA

2011

First global plan of action for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

FAO 1996

1.2. International agreements relevant to PGRFA in force for the country

Treaty Ratified Year

Goals

International convention for the protection of new varieties (UPOV)

1991 protect intellectual property rights (IPR) for new varieties

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD 1992 Conservation BD, Sustainable utilization and Benefit sharing

UN framework convention on climate change 1994 Develop national frame works to face climate change impact

The Cartagena protocol for bio -safety 2000 Adapt protocols and regulations for safe movement and use of GMO

International Treaty on plant genetic resources for food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

2001 Maintain PGRFA, sustainable utilization and equitable benefit sharing

The Nagoya –Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress

2010 Conservation and sustainable use of BD to protect from damage resulting from living modified Organisms

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the CBD

2010 Sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way

1.2. International agreements relevant to PGRFA in force for the countryTable 2. International agreements relevant to PGRFA in force for Jordan

1.3. National institutions involved in PGR relevant activities

Governmental • Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment • The National Center for Agricultural Research and

Extension (NCARE)• Universities• Higher Council for Science & TechnologyNon Governmental & private sector Royal Society for Conservation of NatureRoyal Botanic garden Local farmers

Data Base • Data base for Herbarium and Seed samples are

available at NCARE• Eco- geographic data with GPS is available at

NCARE .• The data base is only accessible by data base

manager not on the web

1.4 Information and data management structure

1.5. Draft national legislations relevant to PGRFA in Jordan

• A new bylaw for nature conservation is underway.• Special regulations for the declaration and management of

SCAs were adopted in 2011.• A new Agriculture bylaw was adapted by parliament this

year 2014• A new bylaw for the regulation of genetically modified

organisms (GMOs) and related products which result from research in biotechnology was issued by MOE in 2009 .

These current bylaws are indirectly related to PGRC

Adapting new regulations and policy directed to conservation, sustainable use and utilization is needed for Jordan .

1.6. Ongoing activities on PGRFA

The National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), established Genetic Resource Unit in 1993.

Ex situ management National Seed Gene Bank The main objective of this unit is conserving plant

genetic resources (in situ and ex situ) from extinction and deterioration, as well as making the material available to users.

Table 3. Collection missions conducted in Jordan

Year Activity Institute

1989-1993 Collection GRU-ICARDA

1991 Characterization GRU-ICARDA

1995 Collection GRU-IPGRI

1996 Conservation GRU-UJ

1996 Characterization GRU-GTZ

1997 Collection GRU- Rain fed program

1999 Exchange plant material GRU-Yarmok university and Jordan University of

Science and Technology

2000 Multiplication GRU- Irrigated crops program

2001 Collection GRU- Royal Botanic Garden ,KEW

2002-2010 Collection GRU- Royal Botanic Garden ,KEW

2011 Collection Medicinal herbal plant project -NCARE

2012 Collection GRU_ICARDA

2013 Collection GRU- NCARE

NCARE National seed Genebank in Jordan

Plant species Number of accessions Number of seeds

TOTAL 1725 76670

Loaned seeds of PGRFA by NCARE


The Herbarium Some Universities established herbarium. The

herbarium at Jordan and Yarmouk Universities are the biggest (60,000 and 20,000 specimens)

and currently the Royal Botanical Garden lunched the virtual herbarium in cooperation with NCARE, RSCN and Yarmok University http://royalbotanicgarden.org/)

Table 4. Herbarium specimens at NCARE

Herbarium specimens conserved at NCARE

Total Number of herbarium specimens at NCARE

Collection period

Historical herbarium specimens

(Dinsmore collection) 2265

1800-1900

New NCARE herbarium specimens 1664 1990-up to date

Total 4929

Table 5. Field gene bank for fruit trees

Mushagar Shobak

Plant species Olive Pistachio Almond Figs Apple Peach Nectarine Plum Apricot

Number of

accessions

47 13 24 7 62 18 8 11 4


Biotechnology • A molecular lab was established in 1997 to study

and estimate the genetic variation and diversity of plant genetic resources conserved at gene bank, currently this lab was separated to help most other institutes and other target species. Biotechnology research activities related to biodiversity studies and tissue culture has been carried out by national researchers

1.6. Ongoing activities on PGRFAIn situ management Table 4. Established in situ conservation sites

In situ conservation

Institute Number

Natural reserves RSCN 7 established 8 are proposed to be established

Range reserves MoA 18In situ Hot Spots MoA- NCARE 12Agro biodiversity sites

MoA-NCARE 6

Farmers land races - -NGOs community - -Research Institutes Jordan Universities 3


The National research programmersNational Center for Agricultural Research and

Extension • The biodiversity genetic resources and

medicinal plant directorate at NCARE had its strategic plans and currently conducting 15 research activity related to plant genetic resources conservation and sustainable use

1.6. Ongoing activities on PGRFAThe Forestry Department/Ministry of Agriculture A seed Center at the Forestry Dept. consists of 4 subunits was established

and it is composed of • Seed collection Unit.• Seed extraction Unit.• Seed testing Unit.• Cold Storage Rooms.• Royal Society of Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and Royal Botanic

Garden (RBG) in cooperation with NCARE are currently focusing in germplasm enhancement through formulating the Red Data List and implementing activities through community based approaches that enhance conservation

• Jordan universities are conducting Academic & Research on PGRFA


State of Use of plant genetic resourcesPlant breeding research for field crops • The conventional breeding program has been

adopted and implemented in Jordan since the early 50's and its principles have been used as an educational material and methodology of research in National Centers.

• Participatory Plant Breeding ( PPB) is being implementation to lead to better adoption and

adaptation in PGRFA utilization.


State of Use of plant genetic resources

Seed production• Jordan has a well-organized seed production system

conducted as a joint project between NCARE and JCC (Jordan Cooperative Corporation) and locally financed

• The system deals only with the seed of released varieties • Therefore,enhancement and reestablishment of local

cross-hybridization activities is an essential step to Jordan


State of Use of plant genetic resources

Utilization of conserved plant genetic resources• Many research activities related to utilization of

plant genetic resources were published on line by FAO in the following link http://www.pgrfa.org/gpa/jor/welcomepage.htmx

this link currently is in need to be updated.




Regional and International collaboration • Jordan has strong relations mainly with most of the

regional and international centers and institutions: FAO, ICARDA, Bioversity, Kew Garden, TWNSO, USDA and others

• The country has implemented and gets benefit from the Treaty of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and it is always aware of following with its link ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0510e/i0510e.pdf


Access to plant genetic resources and benefit sharing derived from their use and farmers rights

• Jordan representative by NCARE has subscribed international agreements relevant to access to plant genetic resources and sharing of benefits

• In 2001 Jordan signed the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• In addition to that the Ministry of Agriculture has signed the Plant Variety Protection Agreement (UPOV).


Access to plant genetic resources and benefit sharing derived from their use and farmers rights

• The issue of benefits sharing and access to genetic resources is not adequately regulated through a package of reinforcing modern policies and legislations to ensure smooth access and balancing right to access and intellectual property rights.

• This issue needs technical capacity development and institutional networking and enforcement.

• Jordan is in need to develop a national legislation on accesses, benefit sharing and Farmers rights on PGRFA.

Hopefully Jordan will start working in this legislation through the national

committee of PGRFA.

1.7 Threats and challenges facing PGRFA in Jordan

Factors influencing the state of plant genetic diversity in the country were as follows .

- loss and degradation of habitats,- over-exploitation of plant species,- extensive agricultural and unplanned developmental activities,- pollution, - Introduced of invasion species,- overgrazing,- water extraction,- intensive use of agrochemicals,- population pressure, - land use legislations, - climatic conditions, - development and urbanization. - Financial constraints have impeded to take appropriate and effective measures

to counter-balance these negative factors

2. Establishment of the National PGRFA Strategy

Chapter Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction & Back ground

Chapter 2 Mission , Vision and main objective

Chapter 3 National Needs for PGRFA

Implementation plan of the PGRCS for Jordan

Chapter 4 National Action plan PGRFACoordination at the national levelElements of the framework of Action

Conclusion References


National Action plan• This strategy is charting tentative actions for

conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources in the country and targeted to implementing institutions to collaborate in strengthening the national related activities in term of conservation and enhancement of use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

2.Establishment of the National PGRFA Strategy

Methodology was as follows:• Review and validate the current national activities

and research related to PGRFA and national needs.• Review and validate the current related national

strategies and managing PGRCS related plans in a harmony manner

• Identifying in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources; genes, species, populations and ecosystems and validating plans of action.


Methodology :• Development of base line study • Development of a national action plan

that will be implemented by national stack holders.

• Endorsement of the national strategy by PGRFA committees.

2. Establishment of the National PGRFA Strategy

Mission• The mission of the strategy is to conserve biodiversity

and plant genetic resources for food and agriculture for future sustainable agriculture development and food security.

Vision• To improve the livelihood of local community by

implementing and improving policies and national programs to enhance sustainable conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.


National NeedsJordan is in need to do the following as

recommended by a number of meetings held by the PGRFA treaty and GPA.

• Formulating national plant genetic resources strategy for food and agriculture

• National PGRFA plans and strategies integrated in the national development and agricultural sector plans.

• Development of appropriate national legislation on PGR


Implementation plan of the PGRCS for Jordan

NCARE was identified as the governmental implementing agency for coordination of PGRFA conservation and use.

• A full program with governmental support was established.- National Seed Bank at NCARE - National research program - National herbarium - National in situ conservation sites - Participatory breeding programs

New crops were targeted and over that last 10 years the gene bank provided appreciable documented information and seed material to local and abroad researcher


Fig 1 Suggested Mechanism of implementing the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Strategy

NCAREBiodiversity Directorate

In situ (RBG, RSCN,MA, NGO. ME

CWR conservation

sites

farmers land races

Ex situ

Genebanks, feild gene banks and herbarium

utilizationbreeding and

biotechnology *

*utilization include all related activities at national level , universities seed companies and research institutes

Table 2 Major plant genetic resources suggested as mandatory to PGRFACrop Plant genetic resource Target Institutes Cereal Wheat & Barley (wild landraces and

newly registered varieties)NCARE, JU

Food legumes Lentil Chickpeas Faba bean NCARE, JU

Forage legumes Vetch Medics Lathyrus Trigonella Trifolium

NCARE,JU , farmers

Vegetable crops Allium Egg plant Cucimus Okra Tomato peans

NCARE, JU

Range crops Atriplexs Salsola Poa Haloxylon etc. MOA, NCARE ,JU

Fruit trees Apricots Cherries Plums Almonds Pistachios Figs &underutilized spp.

MOA, NCARE ,JU

Oil crops Olive , wild medicinal plants MoA NCARE and JU

Wild flora For food and agriculture

Wild floraFor food and agriculture (Top 100 species listed by national socioeconomic strategy,2014)

NCARE,RBG,RSCN

24%29%29%

24%24%24%24%

35%47%

35%41%

29%41%

47%41%

29%29%29%

47%47%47%

29%35%

53%24%

18%47%

59%35%

47%59%

24%12%

6%12%18%

24%24%24%

18%6%

18%12%24%

18%12%18%

35%35%35%

24%24%24%41%

41%24%53%

65%35%24%47%

41%41%

35%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Establishing National Research and Training Center

Establishment of PGRFA biosafety Unit

Endorse local farmers to plant breeding participatory approached

Coordination and exchange of PGRFA

Recruit a separate National web & Link with other web sites

Genetic evaluation of local PGR and gene mapping

Upgrade documentation system to NISM-GPA

Establishment of early warning system on PGR Biodiversity threat

Establishment of Monitoring and evaluation Unit

Establishment of legal office for policy ,property rights and PGRFA material transfer and exchange

Public awareness and training on products derived from PGR and CWR

Ethnobotanical information gathering and local community knowledge on PGR

Link all established databases of MHP and Agro biodiversity

Establishing national breeding Program targeting PGRFA &WCR

Establishing community based approaches to utilize local PGR as income generating sources

Upgrade documentation system to GIS documentation system or find proper link with GIS unit at NCARE

Establishing National Information Sharing Mechanism database for PGR

Evaluation of current established field genebanks for CWR at NCARE, MOA and National Research Institutions

Identification of valuable traits associated with conserved accessions in national genebanks

Establishment of PGRFA fund

Assess eco-geographical distribution and status of target wild PGRFA and CWR (Table 2)

Pre breeding characterization and Evaluation research for plants listed in table 2 as a target crops )

Upgrade documentation system for in situ and ex situ conservation

Establishing of Field genebanks for PGEFA and CWR

Complementation between ex situ and in situ

Upgrade and strengthening the National Gene banks at NCARE and Forestry department infra structure

Establishing National PGR committee

Capacity building for National genebanks

Establishment of long term conservation with backing up system for PGRFA and CWR

Establishment of a multiplication seed unit for PGRFA

Technical Experts board

Conduct Gap Analysis and identify collection missions accordingly

Assess on farm conservation for landraces and CWR status in Jordan

Percentage

Percentage of Those Chosing 5 or 4 on a 5 point Scale (5 being Urgently needed)

Highly needed

Urgently needed

Conclusion •The country is in need to decide on the current strategy and endorse the final adapted one before the end of this year to frame out all national scattered efforts.

•The guide lines for the planned activities as a result of the national workshop and analyzed questioner could be base line strategic Action Plan for the national plant genetic resources stack holder locally.

•The country is in need to draft a special bylaw that is targeting PGRFA conservation use and benefit sharing


THANK YOU

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