The Germplasm Health Units (GHU) of CGIAR Research Centers have teamed up to organize the ‘International Phytosanitary Awareness Week’ from 23 – 27 October 2017. The objective is to increase awareness about the phytosanitary challenges and organizational responsibilities in ensuring distribution of healthy seed for food and agricultural research and development.

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) ensures the distribution of clean agroforestry tree germplasm at its Genebanks through efficient germplasm health testing protocols, pathogen control measures and compliance to phytosanitary regulations. ICRAF’s goal is to develop a germplasm health quality management system for its genebank, nurseries and field sites by 2020.

Tree germplasm acquisition and distribution at the country-based genebanks are certified
by the respective national plant protection organizations. ICRAF maintains genebanks in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Senegal Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa; Bangladesh, China, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam in Asia; and Peru in Latin America.

Read more on ICRAF’s Genetic Resources Unit here.

• International Awareness Week Seminar - Report

• Ensuring Distribution of Clean, Healthy Agroforestry Tree Germplasm - Pamphlet

• Tree killers: How pests and diseases can impact crucial tree species - Poster

• Management of eucalyptus SPP pests in kenya forestry systems - Poster

For further information please contact Dr Alice Muchugi, Genebank Manager, ICRAF at a.muchugi@cgiar.org.