Overview/Objectives

This eLesson is designed to provide plant breeders and associated professionals with a basic understanding of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The concepts covered by this section include: the purpose of the ITPGRFA treaty, an understanding of measures that conserve genetic resources, explanation of the multilateral system of accessing genetic resources, and the benefits of the ITPGRFA in promoting genetic diversity in crop species.

Objectives:

After completing this lesson, you will be able to :

1. Explain the over-arching intent or purpose of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

2. Explain the uniqueness of genetic diversity of agricultural and horticultural crop species, and mechanisms to conserve these genetic resources.

3. Explain the Multilateral System of accessing genetic resources, and mechanisms of benefit sharing when using those genetic resources.

4. List the features of a “standard material transfer agreement (SMTA)”, and explain its function

5. Explain key benefits of the ITPGRFA framework that promotes genetic diversity and utilizing those genetic resources in plant breeding, contributing to agricultural sustainability and food security.

This eLesson was supported in part by the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants CAP project 2011-68002-30029 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, administered by the University of California-Davis. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USDA -NIFA.