state of pgr in trinidad and tobago - cardi · a.beekham ministry of food production -trinidad...

State of PGR in Trinidad and Tobago

Albada Beekham Research Division

Ministry of Food Production

Collections in the Country

• Ministry of Food Production- • University West Indies (St. Augustine) • University of Trinidad and Tobago- Rice, Sugar

cane (16 accessions) • Private plant producers, farmers • CARDI-T&T

A.Beekham Ministry of Food Production -Trinidad & Tobago 12/4/2012

Objectives of the collection

• To conserve, characterize/evaluation and store for present and future use

• To supply other divisions in the Ministry responsible for multiplication

• To supply farmers • Encourage farmers to conserve local crop

diversity


Crop # of accessions


Bodi 19 Pepper 40

Cucurbits 15 Pigeon pea 12

Corn 8 Seim 17

Jack Bean 2 Sorrel 5

Lima Bean 2 Tomato 3

Melongene 1 Urdi 2

Mung Bean 1 Winged bean 1

Ochro 13 Yam beam 6

State of Conservation- Vegetables


150 accession of vegetables

State of Conservation- Fruits Crop # Accessions

Mango 25

Citrus 21

Banana 13

Plantain 4

Carambola 6

Gauva 10

Cashew 5

Coconut 5

Avocado 2

Tamarind 15

Minor fruits

50


State of Conservation- Root Crops

Crop # of accession

Sweet potato 54

Cassava 44

Yam 38

Dasheen and eddoes 2

Minor root crops 6


State of Conservation- Herbs and Spices

Crop # of accession

Medicinal plants

48

Herbs and spices

38


State of Conservation- Cocoa


Trinidad Selected Hybrid 200

Trinidad Selected Amazonia- 5

Other Imperial College 20

International 19

Coffee 5


University of the West Indies- T&T Crop # of

accessions

Sweet potato

77

Cassava 42

Yam 30

Breadfruit 34

Hot Pepper 260

Cocoa 2400 International Genebank

Fruit 52

Banana 16

Jackfruit 2

Chataigne 1

Reference: 1) Trinidad and Tobago 2nd Country Report on PGR compiled in 2008 2) http://sta.uwi.edu/ffa/foodprod/UniversityFieldStation.asp Accessed 9:30am 8/10/12


http://sta.uwi.edu/ffa/foodprod/UniversityFieldStation.asp

12/4/2012 A.Beekham Ministry of Food Production -Trinidad & Tobago

• EMA given the mandate to update the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan - UWI contracted to compile report

Chapter on Agrobiodiversity

Method of conservation

• Field • Seed • Tissue culture


Projects-MFP • Collection and conservation of Underutilized crops • Evaluation of locally grown corn varieties • Evaluation of 21 accessions of bird pepper • Development of an improved Crapaud back variety of pumpkin for

the local market • Evaluation of 2 year round varieties of Pigeon pea (UW2-6-3, UW2-

5-5) • Evaluation of 2 year round varieties of Blackeye (UW34, UW38) • Evaluation of 10 varieties of cassava from Colombia • Safety duplication of 15 varieties of sweet potato at CIP • Developing a protocol for germination testing of Shado beni

(Erygium foetidum) • Characterization of 11 accessions Dolichos sp • Characterization of 6 varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa


Climate readiness • UWI (St Augustine)- •Funding recently approved for Climate change projects on : 1) Heat tolerance in Tomato 2) Drought and waterlogging impacts on Cocoa • Public Sector Investment Programme- “Implementing a Comprehensive Crop Biodiversity Conservation Programme for T&T” - Construction of Conservation centre - Conservation of minor fruit (museum) - Collection, characterization, - Ex- situ conservation - In-situ conservation of Farmers’ collection - Database development - Maintenance of genebank and facilities - Public awareness programme


Party to treaty and conventions

• ITPGRFA- acceded Oct 2004 • CBD-ratified 1st August 1996 • UPOV-1978 (11 TSH varieties protected) • International Plant Protection Convention • Plant Protection Act- 13 of 1975 • TRIPS/WTO • Cartegena Protocol on biosafety – acceded 5th

Oct 2000


Policy mechanisms for sharing and use

• Draft Material Transfer Agreement based on SMTA of the International Treaty on PGR

• National Biosafety Policy drafted- (managing risks associated

with modern biotechnology by providing a transparent and safe environment for development and use)

Sharing and exchange issues (locally and internationally)


Are objectives being met?

• Support to the Ministry’s 2012-2015 Action Plan (evaluation of Corn varieties, root crops)

• Research division has supplied seeds/planting material of improved varieties for commercial multiplication and distribution (pumpkin (CES STARZ), seim, sorrel)


Needs • National policy on PGR with specific strategies and actions

• Comprehensive inventory of germplasm in T&T

• Software for compiling a database (GRIN Global) and training in use

• Assistance in design of Conservation Centre (inclusive of staff needs,

equipment) • Dedicated staff, land infrastructure and funding for PGR activities • Training in PGR management, climate change strategies • Legal assistance (Material Transfer Agreement) –exchange from foreign

private and public institutions, or from local institutions working in partnership with foreign research interests A.Beekham Ministry of Food Production -Trinidad & Tobago 12/4/2012


Thank You

state of pgr in trinidad and tobago - cardi · a.beekham ministry of food production -trinidad...

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