Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDI)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (BDCOD)

Project Code: 149-500-021	Start Date: 01/04/1993	End Date: 30/11/1998
Commitment: £843,000	Status: Current	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
The project seeks to assist one of the world's key national genetic resources institutions towards efficiency in carrying out its national and international mandate. In aiming to maintain biodiversity by preserving endemic germplasm and making sure such resources are available for future breeding programmes, the project is directly in line with GOI's current policies and the national strategies for conservation and sustainable development. GOI recognises the importance of long-term conservation of life support plant species, especially since traditional agriculture prevails in diverse agro-climatic zones throughout the sub continent and the daily needs of much of the population are supplied by such genetic resources.

Substantial emphasis is placed on plant breeding in the GOI strategy for technology development in the Seventh and Eighth Five Year Plans. ICAR anticipate that the gains from plant breeding will be greater than those obtainable from any other kind of research. The conservation of access to a wide range of genetic resources material of crops and wild species is a prerequisite for successful plant breeding.

The project is consistent with DFID Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) policies and stategies which specify plant germplasm conservation, evaluation and utilisation as a central objective. This project's objective and strategy were endorsed by a recent RNR Research Review.

Project Objectives:
To contribute to increased availability, use and sales of appropriate Indian indigenous seed and other vegetative materials, for crop research, commercial and subsistence farming purposes.

To improve the capacity of NBPGR and eight regional stations (RS) to screen, conserve, collect, store, manage, monitor and evaluate indigenous germplasm resources.

The objectives of the project are: To undertake introduction and exchange of plant genetic resources through effective linkages with concerned organisations abroad To examine the seed and plant material under exchange for various pests and pathogens and to treat and salvage the infected and infested materials, keeping in view all the quarantine requirements To carry out explorations and collect the crop diversity with specific emphasis on native flora To evaluate and characterise the available germplasm and to coordinate such activities with other institutes, coordinated projects and to help prepare inventories and catalogues on available genetic resources To develop data documentation for retrieval of available information on plant genetic resources held by the Bureau and other research organisations To conserve germplasm collections for medium- and long-term storage in the National Gene Bank as well as the National Tissue Culture Repository To conduct research leading to crop improvement of selected medicinal and aromatic plants used in organised sector of industry and to monitor and co-ordinate the research work under the All-India Co-ordinated Research Project on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and constituent centres To carry out research to improve and utilise under-utilised and under-exploited plants and to monitor ant co-ordinate the research work under the All-India Co-ordinated Research Project To conduct and co-ordinate research on guar at national level through All-India Co-ordinated Research Project To impart training in the field of plant genetic resources and associated disciplines.

Intended Outputs:
Upgraded seed storage facilities.

Upgraded laboratory facilities.

Vegetative - propagated storage facilities.

Germplasm management information systems.

Upgraded junior/middle level RS staff.

Upgrading of specialist technical staff.

Improve research and development plans.

Increased level of germplasm stocks.

Increased germplasm research activity.

Germplasm sales revenues.