.661 The Service provides technical advice to FAO Members on seed and planting material improvement and production programmes and policies, including seed security, exchange, testing, processing, quality control, storage and utilization. It assists and advises on conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources.

.662 Organizational Structure

• Office of Chief
• Seed Group
• Plant Genetic Resources Group

.663 Activities

• Assists FAO Members in the development of seed and planting material related activities in:
  • the establishment of global, regional and national policies on seed and planting material production, improvement, quality control, and exchange;
  • the identification and formulation of global, regional and national programmes for seed and planting material production and improvement;
  • the provision of seed and planting material samples for experimental purposes, the development of a related seed information system and support to the establishment of the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources;
  • the organization and implementation of national and regional training programmes and activities on modern seed and planting material improvement techniques;
  • the organization of technical meetings, conferences and symposia on transfer of new technologies to developing countries on seed and planting material production/ propagation, quality control, processing/storage, distribution and utilization.
• Assists FAO Members in the conservation and use of genetic resources for food and agriculture in:
  • the implementation of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture's recommendations on conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources;
  • the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and UNCED's Agenda 21 programme on conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and sustainable agriculture ;
  • the coordination and management of the Special Action Programme on Conservation, Use and Development of Plant Genetic Resources;
  • the development and monitoring of the International Network of ex situ collections and in situ conservation areas;
  • the development of the World Information and Early Warning System on PGR and preparation of periodic reports on the State of the World's PGR, and the rolling Global Plan of Action;
  • the development of specific activities related to collection, conservation, regeneration, genetic diversity assessment, evaluation, documentation and use of plant genetic resources for crop improvement.
• Coordinates the preparations of the Inter-governmental PGR Technical Working Group, where established.
  • monitor the development of the Global System on Plant Genetic Resources, and ensure the implementation of other recommendations and decisions of the Commission by FAO Members concerning PGRFA.