SEARICE, a partner university and 15 farmers’ groups are set to establish a gene bank that farmers can easily access, with support from the Benefit Sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, or the Plant Treaty.
To be located in Negros Occidental province, in the Visayas region of the Philippines, the gene bank will be a micro-model of a “farmer-friendly” gene bank, and will be the first of its kind in the province.
A two-year plan to set up the gene bank were discussed at the Central Philippines State University (CPSU), SEARICE’s partner institution, last 8 to 10 March. The meeting was participated in by SEARICE executive director, Normita Ignacio, and SEARICE program officers; officials of CPSU, including Production and Enterprise Development Office Director Dr. Maryvic P. Pedrosa, College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) Dean Dr. Hanzel L. Pedrosa, Mr. Noel S. Dayono, and the CAF faculty; and local farmers.
Ms. Ignacio provided an overview of the work of SEARICE, including its advocacy for farmers' rights, the implementation of which remains challenged in a number of countries.
She cited SEARICE’s partnership with CPSU, and its importance in reaching out to the youth.
Ms. Ignacio said: “We would like to engage the youth with the hope that the future generation of development workers will promote sustainable food systems.”
CPSU also has a direct link with communities which is very important for SEARICE. [Ends]
