This document discusses the role of information and communication technology in plant genetic resources. It summarizes international treaties related to access and exchange of PGR information. It also discusses documenting PGR knowledge through activities like surveys, collection, characterization and evaluation. Knowledge networking and documentation allows sharing information on conservation and use of PGR. The document proposes establishing an agrobiodiversity knowledge center in Syria to facilitate knowledge sharing between universities, research institutes and other organizations.

1. Role of Information &
Communication Technology in PGR
Future
Kheder Durah, Ph.D.
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, CWANA Regional Office

2. Content
1. International Treaties
2. Documenting PGR Knowledge
3. Agro Biodiversity Knowledge
Center
IPGRI-Aleppo University-Supreme Council of Science WORKSHOP
6-8 July 2003, Aleppo University

3. International Treaties
1. Global Plan of Action – FAO 1996, Activity 17
“Constructing Comprehensive Information Systems for
PGR for Food and Agriculture”, Articles: 12, 13, 17, 258,
260, 261, 262, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271,
273, 274, 275, 276, 278.
2. Convention of Biological diversity, Articles 7, 8, 17.
Can be summarized as ‘Increased access to and better
management and utilization of PGR assembly, exchange
and provision of useful information via data exchange
networks and through the development of PGR information
systems at the National and facility levels’.

4. The way forward
1. Great scope to enhance nutritional security and
income generation through the use of PGR.
2. Ample opportunities exist BUT multi-stakeholder
partnership along the holistic filiere is essential to
move forward the Agenda.
3. Training efforts are needed to enhance capacities at all
levels (from Community members to University
students)
4. Creation of a “Market Intelligence” for PGR in support
of Community-driven initiatives is most strategic.
5. Raising awareness of policy makers on role of PGR is
essential to lobby for needed support in promoting
these species.
6. Education of younger generations in appreciating and
conserving this important component of
Agrobiodiversity is also imperative.
Carob tree By Stefano Padolusi

5. What is Documentation?
• Generic Definition “written things about something”..!!!
• The collection of published and un-published works..
• Recording of the facts about on-going recent events..
• The act of recording information or the act of collecting and
organizing documents.
Documentation Process
* Determining what information is needed;
* Establishing means for acquiring it;
* Recording the discovered information and store such in appropriate
containers (called documents);
* OR collecting existing documents containing the needed information;
* Organizing the documents to make them more accessible;
* Providing the documents to users who need the information.

6. Why Documentation?
To address future needs.
People who need certain
information will need documents
that they can refer back to.

7. How To Document
• Activities in PGR Conservation:
– Survey (Echo-Geographic, Remote Sensing)
– Collection (Seed, Vegetative & IK)
– Characterization (Using Descriptor List, Botanical)
– Evaluation (Deep characterization, yield production and nutrition)
– Documentation (Electronic Format, store, retrieve, disseminate, share
and collaborate)
– Conservation (Ex-situ, In-situ)
– Distribution (By Request and Provision)
– Regeneration/ Multiplication ( to manage variability)
• Activities in PGR Use:
– Use by Breeders (crop improvement);
– Use by Farmers (Growers);
– Use by Crop Consumers.

8. Knowledge Networking
• Knowledge is
“what people Know”.
• Network is
“sharing resources”.
• Knowledge Network is :
“Sharing What People Know”.

9. The Challenge
 Farmers generate and use thousands of
Ideas and Experiences in the course of their
activities.
 Administering This Knowledge and finding the
relevant information when required is time-
consuming and often ineffective and for sure
non sustainable.
 Important experience go missing as
individuals pass away. One African say that
“When a farmer dies, a library is burned”.

10. Having a sustainable knowledge management tool is
the key solution to address the challenge of capturing
Indigenous knowledge, analyzing it and share it in a
collaborative manner.
IPGRI CWANA Regional Office Developed GRIS in the
year 2002, Which is an effective modeling tool to
Capture Indigenous Knowledge , analyze and share
among National Programs.

15. GRIS Network Model and Peripherals

16. Oman Biodiversity National Information System
OBNIS Model
NHM FRC ARC SQU
Intranet Dial-up Network
Bio
Diversity
Dept.
W.W.W.
Oman Telecom

17. The Future Ahead
Establish
AgroBiodiversity
Knowledge Center in
Syria
• Universities
• Research Institutes
• Private Sector
• International Organizations.

18. • Acknowledgment
– Huridocs by Manuel Guzman 2001
– Stefano Padulosi , IPGRI-CWANA 2003
– Thomas Metz, IPGRI HQ 2003
• Useful Web sites
– http://www.huridocs.org
– http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org
– http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/cwana/
– http://cwana.ipgri.cgiar.org