Ex Situ Conservation Efforts International Level, International Board Plant Genetic Resources, International Agricultural Research Center

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Biodiversity and its Conservation
Biodiversity and its Conservation Introduction
Current Levels of Biodiversity
Alpha (α) and Beta(β) Biodiversity
Extinction and Endangered Species
Reasons of Concern for Loss of Biodiversity
Ethical and Aesthetic Rewards
Economic Benefits
Essential Services Provided by Natural Ecosystems
Steps to Preserve Biodiversity
In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation Gene Banks
In Situ Conservation
Ex Situ Conservation
Ex Situ Conservation Efforts at International Level
Ex Situ Conservation Efforts by G-15 Countries
Ex Situ Conservation Efforts in USA

	Ex situ conservation efforts at international level. Major efforts in the ex-situ conservation of crop genetic resources also became possible due to support provided to the crop-based research centres of CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research), which is a broad based consortium supporting a world wide network of 17 (seventeen) international agricultural research centres (IARCs).
Most of these research centres Different International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) Supported by Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (GGIAR) Since 1975, these IARCs have built up the world's largest ex-situ collection of crop gene pools, approaching as many as 600,000 individual accessions. These germplasm collections are held in trust for the use of present and future generations of research workers throughout the world. CGIAR system has also helped to ensure conservation of germplasm belonging to more than 140 species in the gene banks of some 450 non-CGlAR institutions in over 90 countries. The CGIAR is also committed to strengthening national agricultural research systems in genetic resource programmes, which have now been established in more than 100 countries.
In 1974, with the support of CGlAR, an international research centre exclusively devoted to plant genetic resources (PGRs) was also established. It was named mPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources). The mandate of this institute was' 'to advance the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations." IBPGR has contributed to (i) the establishment of ex situ conservation facilities in over 100 countries; (ii) training of more than 1700 scientists and technicians; (iii) collection of over 200,000 samples of crops in 120 countries. However, the scope of activities of IBPGR has increased in recent years, so that in 1992-93, it was renamed as IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) with headquarters located at Rome.
This institute will have following four major objectives: (i) to assist countries, particularly developing nations,. to assess and meet their needs for plant genetic resources; (ii) to strengthen and contribute to international collaboration in the conservation and use of plant genetic resources; (iii) to develop and. promote improved strategies and technologies for plant genetic resources conservation; and (iv) to provide an international information service on plant genetic resources. During 1 990s, global interest in conservation was also stimulated by the 'Botanic Gardens Conservation Secretariat' and the 'Centre for Plant Conservation'.