Plant genetic resources provide a basis for food security, livelihood support and economic development as a major component of biodiversity. The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture demonstrates the central role plant genetic diversity continues to play in shaping agriculture growth in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. It is based on information gathered from Country Reports, regional syntheses, thematic studie s and scientific literature, documenting the major achievements made in this sector during the past decade and identifying the critical gaps and needs that should urgently be addressed. The Report provides the decision-makers with a technical basis for updating the Global Plan of Action on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It also aims to attract the attention of the global community to set priorities for the effective management of plant genet ic resources for the future. Purchase a print copy.

This genetic resources impact study was commissioned as part of a general impact study on all aspects of agricultural research and development within the CGIAR organization. Since the term genetic resources often means different things to different people, the first part of this report gives a discussion on the subject and attempts to define the terminology in general use. The second part of the report describes the genetic resources activities of the international centres and of the International Board of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR). It also attempts to evaluate the impacts of each stage in the genetic resources chain. The third part sums up the work, assesses its strengths and weaknesses, and makes suggestions for future development. The writer concludes that genetic resources are being made freely available to those who request them. The International Board of Plant Genetic Resources is promoting and developing the use of genetic resources materials, and IARC breeders are taking full advantage of the germplasm available to them, passing breeding lines and selections to national programmes for further trials and, where appropriate, releasing new varieties with better yields, adaptation and resistances than those previously available.