Objectives : Synthesis and wide distribution of the existing but dispersed information on the
estimated 7,000 useful plants of Tropical Africa. Activities : The PROTA partnership (scientific institutions in Africa and Europe now being identified) intends to establish an Information Base on the estimated 7,000 useful plants of Tropical Africa, by compiling, critically evaluating, summarizing, publishing and widely distributing the existing but dispersed information, in order to contribute
to an equitable access to knowledge, which is essential to achieve food security and

ICLARM (an IARC) in partnership with the Institute of Aquaculture Research, Norway (an ASI), Central
Luzon State University and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines (NARS) undertook
genetic improvement of Nile tilapia and demonstrated for the first time that performance of tropical
finfish could be improved through simple selective breeding methods. NARS from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya
and Senegal collaborated in this effort by supplying wild germplasm from their countries. The 6th

Main results: The programme started in 1994 and is ongoing. Many steps have been taken: research
strategy detrmined, sources of resistance have been identified, crosses with local material
have been made, testing in the trial fields is in progress. In 1999 three new cultivars of
Chrysanthemum for the Indonesian market have been released, more will follow. Likewise,
rose varieties will become available from this year onwards. Gladiolus, tomato and hot pepper
breeding materials will be released during the coming years as well. The commercialisation is

Objectives: i) to describe microbial biodiversity and demonstrate the applicability of this resource;
ii) to introduce newest technology for description and exploitation of microbial biodiversity; iii) to strengthen national capacity for research in and protection of microbial resources; iv) to promote true collaboration between researchers from developing countries and Biotechnological Institute

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is a major agricultural crop in tropical areas. The only hopes for
its asexual propagation lie on in vitro vegetative multiplication of high performance individuals using
in vitro culture techniques and more particularly in somatic embryogenesis, remains the only hope for
a substantial improvement in the productivity of plantations. Unfortunately, however coconut is a

Objectives: The establishment of banks of mushroom germplasm in partners' countries that will
guarantee the conservation of fungal genetic diversity of those countries and at the same time can
function as a source of reliable and stable mother cultures for the preparation of spawn to be used in
local cultivation of mushrooms. The local development of mushroom cultivation industries, that will
generate jobs and income and supply high protein vegetative food.

Objectives: Programme priority is, obviously the training of professionals at different levels.
In a Programme of Cooperation for Development in Agriculture, training is the first step for future
cooperation [¿]. Activities: The three main activities that will be developed in the following sections are: 1) Training of Trainees Courses in different agriculture, breeding, forestry and development
subjects, celebrated in the Iberoamerican Training Centres that the Spanish Agency for

Cooperation among countries belonging to the Ibero american community has strongly been increased
during the last 20 years, trying always to enhance fraternity liaisons established many centuries ago.
INIA has been developing a broad program on Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction and has really
participate in Programs of Selection and Conservation of creole and autochthonous breeds, joining
efforts in this subject with well known Institutions, Associations and Universities in the countries that
conform the Ibero american Community.

The goal is to increase wheat productivity in the countries of the region by developing wheat cultivars
with durable resistance to the rapidly evolving wheat leaf and stem rusts. Activities: Monitoring the present status of leaf and stem rust pathotypes and their frequencies in each country and in the region;

The SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) is a non-profit making Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC) institution whose objectives are to conserve and guarantee safe
conservation of crop and wild plant genetic resources; document the plant genetic resources of the region to ensure their efficient and sustainable use and provide a forum for exchange of scientific as well as cultural, traditional and indigenous knowledge and experiences; to train personnel in plant genetic resources management and co-ordinate plant genetic resources activities in the SADC region.