Phase 2

Center for Genetic Resources, Netherlands (CGN)
and  Center for International environment and development studies (NORAGRIC)

Reduced proposal

The first phase of the CBDC programme contained two so called international programmes, the International Technical Programme (ITP) and the International Policy Programme (IPP), in addition to the three regional programmes. Both CGN and NORAGRIC participated in the ITP, which had as its main objective to support the national projects through specific technical expertise to which the national projects had no direct access themselves. Additional objectives were to facilitate information and expertise exchange between the partners through organising global workshops, and to enable formal-informal linkages. Major activities in the first phase were the organisation of two global workshops, the production of readers with extracts from literature, the production of a tool kit on breeding methods, advice of CBDC partners on reporting, bilateral support of various nature, the management of an internal e-mail listserver and the production of a website www.cbdcprogram.org 

The second phase will have these activities integrated in the T-lines, except for the listserver and the website management, which will be covered through the administrative unit.

A major feature of CGN and NORAGRIC inputs is that for most part these will not form autonomous activities, but directly relate to plans, questions and activities in the T-lines which require specialist attention and technical expertise not readily available to the national partners, or which requires a synthetic analysis throughout the programme. Activities will be undertaken upon request of the T-lines, whereby a pro-active position of CGN and NORAGRIC is assumed to optimise their functioning.

CGN does have a focal point role in the development of the T-line on mainstreaming.

Both partners plan to be closely involved in developing the work plans of the T-lines on Seed supply systems, PVS/PPB, mainstreaming and policy. They will pro-actively consult the CBDC partners on their role in strengthening the technical quality of project implementation and reporting.

This approach will involve close collaboration with all T-line focal points in an early phase and specific support of national partners in the implementation phase.

Furthermore, CGN will actively engage in collecting docuemnts and non-documented experiences for the development of course and teaching materials as described in the T-line on mainstreaming. About two thirds of the total input of CGN will be devoted to the T-line on mainstreaming.

The position of these partners in the formal sector -with easy access to specialist expertise and facilities and with participation in formal networks- gives background to the inputs of these partners in the programme. CGN and NORAGRIC seek to strongly contribute to novel experiences in collaboration between partners in the North and the South, and from the formal and informal sector, taking advantage of the value direct access to the formal sector may have to achieve the overall goals of the CBDC programme towards participatory management of agrobiodiversity in general and plant genetic resources in particular.

General Objectives

  1. To provide complementary technical expertise and facilities to the national partners on various topics of the programme, with emphasis on those in the PPB/PVS, Seed supply systems and Policy T-lines
  2. To contribute to mainstreaming the CBDC approach through the partners’ networks as well as their own networks
Specific objectives

  • To provide support in project formulation, project planning, data analysis
  • To coordinate mainstreaming activities of the CBDC programme under the T-line on mainstreaming
  • To promote an active publication strategy of the CBCD programme
  • To provide technical support in improving seed production, handling and storage
  • To provide support in the cost/benefit analysis of different seed technologies accessible to the farmer
  • To provide facilities for back-up black-box storage of genetic resources collections under the management of CBDC partners
  • To provide expertise in genetics and (conventional) breeding methods in various crops
  • To provide facilities and expertise for molecular analysis of crop genetic diversity where this may contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of genetic diversity in general and the role of the farmer in selection and breeding in particular
  • To provide support in studying the impact of PVS/PPB practices on genetic diversity
  • To provide technical expertise in predicting and valuing novel technologies in plant breeding, in particular in relation to their potential impact on autonomous farming systems
  • To contribute to exposing a wider audience to the conceptual approaches and experiences in the CBDC programme, in particular professionalists in genetic resources conservation and plant breeding
  • To contribute to developing tools (curricula, modules) to incorporate the CBDC approach and experiences in Wageningen UR, the University of Norway and other Universities
  • To closely follow related on-farm conservation activities led by the formal sector and to report on experiences and approaches useful for the CBDC programme
  • To explore options for students to gather experience in CBDC activities
Outputs

  • Collaboration in and support to national project activities on technical issues, including through 4 visits annually and other forms of communication
  • 1 Workshop per year (co)organised on specific requests from the T-line focal points
  • Other responses to requests for support in technical issues from the focal points
  • Number of back-up collections stored
  • Working visits from CBDC partner staff related to molecular analysis of local genetic diversity
  • Modules and materials developed for use by community organsiations, extension services and various university courses
  • Updates of CBDC website
In comparison with the original proposal and accompanying budget the inputs of CGN and NORAGRIC will be severely reduced, and amount to only 0.3 fte total/year, equivalent to 60 working days. It is expected that 40 working days will be spent for the planned visits, leaving 20 days as office hours for the coordination of the T-line on mainstreaming.