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Biodiversity Conservation and Genetic Improvement of Africa's Indigenous Crops
Project / Program Summary

I.Basic data

Sector(s): Environment, Education, Information, Natural Resources
Title: Biodiversity Conservation and Genetic Improvement of Africa's Indigenous Crops
Donor country / organization: UNU
Other donors / organizations involved: UN/ECA, FAO, UNDP, OAU/STRC; U of Ghana
Beneficiary countries / regions: All African countries networked from a central hub
Implementing agencies in beneficiary countries / regions: UNU/INRA, National Universities and Research Institutes
Duration: 5 years(1998-2003)
Starting Date: (1998)Underway
Project / Program budget: $10,500,000
Finance / Type of cooperation: grant / technical cooperation

II. Project / program description

Africa's several major ecological zones are home to many indigenous multi-use crops and plant species useful for food, medicines, fibre, feed, crafts, and miscellaneous products. Of major concern in Africa today is the rapid deterioration of this genetic inheritance caused in large part by deforestation, overgrazing, incessant bush burning and depleted soil fertility.

  1. Objectives
    To promote activities that focus on the rescue and on site conservation of indigenous African food crops and useful plants to ensure food security and enhance their utilization both within Africa and globally.
  2. Activities / contents
    Phase 1: Institutional Capacity Building, involves development of three regional facilities consisting of; 1. Reference herbarium, 2. Tissue culture laboratory (completed) and 3. Gene banks, for long-term seed storage.
    Phase 2. Research and Training, involves the use of the facilities to conduct research and also train personnel in such areas as taxonomy, systematic botany and techniques for inducing the rapid multiplication of potential afforestation and agroforestry species. A one-month training course on tissue culture techniques has recently been conducted for ten participants from different West African countries in the new facility located at the Department of Botany, University of Ghana.
  3. Expected outcomes / impacts
    1. Multifunctional reference herbarium, tissue culture and gennplam conservation facilities for Africa developed in regional focal point of research training, and demonstrations. These facilities will serve as centers for the development of capabilities of collaborators in the UNU/INRA network.
    2. Detailed programs for research and training in indigenous African food crops and useful plants, in situ and ex situ conservation, study, inventorying, classification and germplasm/information exchange, including list of staff and specifications for facility regular management, maintenance and operation.
  4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
    Regional Cooperation, Strengthening Coordination, Capacity Building, Environment Management, and Agricultural Development.

III. Contact point:

Rector, UNU Headquarters, 5-53 70, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan
Fax: +81(3)3499-2828, Tel: +81(3)3499-2811

(End)

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