New professionalism and governance in plant genetic resource management

Most countries in the world have developed their own national plant genetic resource programmes (NPGRPs). Even though they usually intend to take a complementary approach to conservation, their emphasis is and remains on ex situ conservation. In the introduction to this book Thijssen et al. (Chapter 1.1) indicate that the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992a) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA, 2001) identified in situ conservation through on-farm management as one of the strategies. NPGRPs, however, lag behind in implementing this strategy (FAO, 2010). With this book, we have compiled a vast range of experiences on CBM and its practices, as implemented by conservation and development organizations or sometimes non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are not necessarily associated with their NPGRP. De Boef and Thijssen (Chapter 1.8), as well as a number of other authors, argue that the CBM methodology is instrumental for the implementation of on-farm management. NGOs and their development professionals are key drivers for promoting the CBM methodology. Consequently, on-farm management is implemented by organizations that are not necessarily recognized by, or associated with, the NPGRP. As such, CBM and its practices are not usually part of what constitutes the national framework governing the management of plant genetic resources (PGR), or the normal professionalism associated with those responsible for the conservation in NPGRPs.