Genetic Resources Unit Annual Report 1989

Abstract

Germplasm exploration, preservation, and utilization have been drawing the attention of international comity in the last two decades. The growing interest in gene banks shown by national authorities throughout the world was recently reflected in the inauguration of the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources in 1985. At its annual meeting held in October 1988, the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) adopted a policy statement on plant genetic resources. Subsequently, ICARDA developed its position paper on genetic resources availability which was approved by the Program Committee Meeting in October 1989.

The objectives and strategic guidelines have been clearly formulated in the ICARDA's Medium-term plan 1990-1994: The main objective of the Genetic Resources Unit is to explore, safeguard and enhance the utilization of diverse germplasm collections of crops for which ICARDA has either a global or regional responsibility. The FIANA (West Asia and North Africa) region includes the primary centers of diversity of its mandated crops - wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, faba bean, and a number of forage species. The genetic resources originating from the region have global importance for crop improvement and related research as well as for providing basic material for the .development of improved germplasm adapted to the farming systems in the region.