State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
SoW-Plants
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | Global |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
Geographical scale of the assessment
Global
Country or countries covered
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
To periodically assess the state of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA).
The SoW-Plants includes national, regional and global analysis of the current status and trends of plant genetic resources conservation and use, and analysis of gaps and needs as a basis for global action plans. The themes include the state of plant diversity, the state of in situ management, the state of ex situ conservation, the state of use, the state of national programmes, training needs and legislation, the state of regional and international collaboration. In addition to these states, each report focus on specific emerging themes. For example the Second Report contained a chapter on access to plant genetic resources, the sharing of benefits derived from their utilization and the realization of Farmer's Rights and a chapter on the contribution of PGRFA to food security, and agricultural development.
Mandate for the assessment
The mandate for the preparation of the SoW-Plants is provided by FAO's Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). The report is meant to analyze the current plant genetic resources situation, and describe activities and programmes being carried out by regional, international and non-governmental organizations, with the aim of identifying gaps, constraints and emergency situations.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Other (please specify)
Prepared through a country-driven process under the guidance of CGRFA and its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on PGRFA
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
With regard to the conceptual framework, the preparation of the SoW-Plants is carried out using a country driven process. It provides a critical analysis of the status and trends in conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA globally, based on information provided through country reports, regional consultations and expert meetings. The reports focuses as far as possible on changes, including gaps and needs, that had arisen since the previous report. An Intergovernmental Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources, established under the Commission, guides the preparation of the SoW-Plants.
System(s) assessed
- Cultivated/Agricultural land
Species groups assessed
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Genetic resources
Regulating
- Regulation of water quality
- Erosion prevention
- Pollination
- Pest and disease control
Supporting Services/Functions
- Nutrient cycling
- Soil formation and fertility
- Primary production
Cultural Services
- Traditional farming systems
- Traditional crop diversity
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
Yes
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
Pre 2000
Year assessment finished
Ongoing
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
Repeated
If repeated, how frequently
First report published in 1998, and the second in 2010; Third report due in 2021
Assessment outputs
Report(s)
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Indicators
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
During the report’s preparation, stakeholder involvement was ensured through a participatory, country-driven process under the guidance of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Guidelines for the preparation of country reports were designed and support was provided where required. Regional consultations and expert consultations are also organized.
Key stakeholder groups engaged
National programmes on plant genetic resources
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Country reports
Assessment reports peer reviewed
Yes
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Most of the data for the SoW-Plants were provided through country reports, information systems, regional syntheses and thematic background studies. National Information Sharing Mechanisms (NISMs) and country reports were essential for the involvement of Member Countries and their national stakeholders in monitoring the status and trends of PGRFA in their respective countries.
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
The SoW-Plants is the key assessment process for identifying gaps, constraints and emergency situations in the status of PGRFA, which in turns allow the Commission to recommend priorities activities and update its rolling Global Plan of Action on PGRFA. For example the Second SoW-Plants provided a solid basis for the Second Global Plan of Action for PGRFA that was agreed by the Commission at its Thirteenth Regular Session in July 2011 and endorsed by the FAO Council at its 143rd Session in November 2011
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Concerning policy impact and relevance, the identification of the most significant gaps and needs provides a sound basis for updating a rolling global plan of action for the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, containing priority actions for decision makers and policymakers in this field. The preparation of country reports, as a basis for SoW-Plants, is a country-driven process with positive effects on awareness-raising and on capacity-building.
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
Network and sharing experiences, Sharing of data/repatriation of data, Workshops, Communication and awareness raising
