.611 The Division's objective is to assist FAO Members to develop sustainable agricultural systems which will improve crop and grassland productivity and create conditions for enhanced food security and general economic development. It does so by promoting policies, strategies and programmes aimed at conserving and sensibly developing agriculture's biological resource base in partnership with farmers and rural peoples.

.612 The Division places particular attention to the conservation of plant genetic resources, their development and utilization through plant breeding and seed production, and their protection from field to market. In this connection, the Division provides policies, strategies and programmes, provides technical support to international agreements, promotes appropriate technologies, and offers information services.