Seed Info 30, January 2006

S E E D I N F O

Official Newsletter of the WANA Seed Network

No. 30, January 2006

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In this section we invite national seed programs, projects, universities, regional or international organizations to provide news about their seed related activities.

Afghanistan Approves National Seed Policy
In the last issue of Seed Info we reported about the National Seed Policy Forum held from 13-14 April 2005 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The workshop was organized by FAO under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food as part of a consultative process with stakeholders of the seed sector to discuss the draft national seed policy. A total of 82 participants attended the Forum, representing various stakeholders including the Agricultural Research Institute of Afghanistan, the public sector Improved Seed Enterprise, seed producing NGOs, new private sector seed enterprises, farmers and international agricultural research centers.

The English version of the final draft from the Forum was translated and presented to the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food. The draft national seed policy document was approved during signing ceremony chaired by H.E. Mr Obaidullah Ramin, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food on 13 September 2005 in Kabul, Afghanistan. The policy is consistent with a draft prepared by the Future Harvest Consortium and ICARDA in 2002. Sam Kugbei, FAO, Kabul, Afghanistan; E-mail: samuel.kugbei@fao.org
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Ethiopia Establishes Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute and Endorses Bills on Breeder's, Genetic Resources and Community Rights
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute
Ethiopia, with a cost of $1.8 million, will establish the first Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRI), aimed at exploiting the region's biological resources, and providing sustainable economic development. The institute is expected to provide long-term solutions by improving plant products through modification, thereby boosting agricultural production and exports.

The ABRI is part of the overall agricultural research capacity building project funded by a World Bank loan, and will be located at Holeta Agricultural Research Center, about 45km from Addis Ababa. Its main goal is to train African researchers, and provide them with resources for experiments. In addition, ABRI will serve as a central facility for research in molecular biology, genetic transformation, diagnostics, genomics and bioinformatics-in turn, advancing agricultural biotechnology development and protecting plant genetic resources. The advantage of having a biotechnology institute in Ethiopia is its location, known to be rich in biological diversity.

ABRI research programs are expected to include a variety of fields, including propagation of local plants using plant cell and tissue culture technology, production of improved local crops using genes isolated from natural resources, investigations into animal health and reproduction, and the production of bio-fertilizers and biological controls. ABRI could also help the region with bioeconomy, or developing and commercializing new biotechnology products. Source: The Scientist 15 No 2005 http://www.the-scientist.com

Plant Breeders' Rights and Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge and Rights
The Ethiopian parliament endorsed two bills, providing for Plant Breeders' Rights and Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge and Rights. The proclamation providing for Plant Breeders' Rights would enable the private sector to play its role in developing and releasing new plant varieties suitable for various ecosystems in the country. Moreover, the proclamation would encourage investment and pave the way for utilizing new plant varieties released abroad.

The bill providing for Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge and Rights would have significant importance in the protection of the country's genetic resources, as well as the equitable distribution of the benefits of the resources. The proclamation would encourage farmers to use their genetic resources. For the full story, please visit: http://www.ena.gov.et/default.asp?CatId=6&NewsId=191992. Source: CropBiotech Update 6 January 2006.

Australia Releases Chickpea Varieties
The Western Australia Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Kim Chance, formally released two new chickpea varieties in August 2005. The ceremony took place at the Mingenew-Irwin Farmer Group's Heavy Land Field Day in Western Australia. The event was attended by over 250 farmers and industry personnel which represented another landmark in ICARDA's long-time collaboration with Australia in agricultural research.

The two high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties of chickpea, namely, Almaz (FLIP97-530-CLIMAS) and Nafice (FLIP97-503-CLIMAS), were derived from ICARDA chickpea breeding lines. Nafice and Almaz were developed through collaborative efforts between the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); the Aegean Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Turkey; and the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), Australia. Funds for the project were provided by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Council of Grain Grower Organizations (COGGO) Limited.

Hon. Kim Chance (right), Dr R.S. Malhotra (middle) and Prof. K. Siddique of CLIMA

'Nafice', Arabic for very precious, has bigger seeds than 'Kaniva' (Australian variety highly susceptible to ascochyta blight) and 'Almaz'; while 'Almaz', Arabic for diamond, is higher yielding. The two new varieties are well suited for winter sowing in regions of medium to high annual rainfall (400-700mm) with neutral to alkaline soils, while mild spring conditions are favorable for seed filling. They have a semi-erect growth habit, with 'Almaz' approximately 5cm taller than 'Kaniva'; produce attractive beige-colored seeds with good cooking quality; and possess significant resistance to ascochyta blight.

The new ascochyta resistant kabuli chickpea varieties, with improved yield and large seed size, would provide greater confidence and a profitable pulse option across Australia and are expected to increase chickpea production to 150,000ha, equivalent to USD 100 million.

Both varieties have been tested in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and West Australia and will be available to growers through the Council of Grain Grower Organizations Limited and the Australian Wheat Board during the 2006 season. Source: The Week at ICARDA No 887/888, 8/15 September 2005.