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Broad developmental objectives
This regional project has the overall objective of studying and reviewing national PGR policies and
eventually harmonizing them into a regional comprehensive and appropriate policy framework on
PGRFA. It will become complementary to and build upon all earlier efforts and strengths built over
the years.
Objectives
The specific objectives are to:
- establish the status of PGR and any other policies that impinge on PGR conservation
and utilization (a process towards development of national policy framework);
- build capacity for policy development and implementation; and
- develop regional PGR policy guidelines.
Beneficiaries
National Plant Genetic Resource Centres, research and academic institutions, NGOs, local
communities, students, and community entrepreneurs within the Southern Africa region.
Results
The anticipated long-term Impact of the project is to reduce poverty and improve food and
nutritional security of the people of the Southern African region (SADC).
In the course of implementing the 1½-year project immediately will be enhancement of
understanding and awareness of the status of PGR policies and the project will generate data
that can be useful in planning reduction of biodiversity loss. Through training and
sensitization workshops, the region will improve capacity in PGR policy expertise, awareness
on PGR policy and PGR management.
In short term, the project will lead into increased cooperation in PGR conservation and
utilization as well as catalysis of national PGR policy development that cumulate to
development of regional policy guidelines.
Intermediately, besides having a regional position in PGR conservation and utilization for the
good of the people of SADC, the project will also help improve understanding against
controversies for controlling PGRs and national and regional responsibilities for
implementing international legal agreements.
Sustainability
In order for the project activities to be sustained beyond the donor funding period, the
following as to be done and maintained:
- The Southern Africa region already has a network of national seed genebanks coordinated
by the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC);
- The regional commitment through the SADC Secretariat to support SPGRC and network
activities through Member State contributions;
- The project has been locally designed, developed and will be implemented by people of
SADC who will be privileged to have their expertise further developed in the course of
implementation;
- The existence of good will among the regional Member States to support the initiative as
indicated in the declaration to support the SPGRC Long-Term Sustainability Strategy
Plan;
- Other regional and international partners such as Nordic support, SANBio, Bioversity,
Trust, MSBP will complement significantly to enhancement of regional capabilities in
PGR and related policy development and implementation.
The project is dependent on the availability of well-trained and capacitated human
resource which has an in-built capacity for long-term training and sensitization/awareness
workshops.
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