3. Crops and Plant Production

Africa Rice Center (WARDA)

Africa Rice Center [updated Sept 2004]
01 BP 4029
Abidjan 01
CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Contact: Savitri Mohapatra, Communication and Information Officer

Tel: +225 22 41 06 06 Fax: +225 22 41 18 07
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Web: http://www.warda.cgiar.org
Geographic coverage: West Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Crop production; Rice

The Africa Rice Center (WARDA) - is an autonomous intergovernmental research association of African member states. WARDA is also one of the 15 international agricultural research centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

WARDA's mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment.

WARDA hosts African Rice Initiative (ARI), the Regional Rice Research and Development Network for West and Central Africa (ROCARIZ), and the Inland Valley Consortium (IVC) with links to International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice for Africa (INGER-Africa).

WARDA-The Africa Rice Centre Library and Documentation Centre collection consist of books, journals, annual reports, theses and dissertations, pamphlets, reprints, microfiches, video - cassettes, maps and CD ROM databases. These collections both print and electronic are mostly rice - related. It provides a range of services to WARDA staff, trainees, visiting scientists, NARS, students from Universities and other higher institutions that constitute the core of its clientele.

A range of its publications including; newsletter, reports etc are available online.

WARDA has its headquarters in Côte d'Ivoire and regional research stations near St Louis, Senegal, at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, and at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) research station at Samanko, near Bamako, Mali.

3.1 African Coffee Research Network (ACRN)

African Coffee Research Network
BPV 210
Abidjan
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Contact: Mpungi Buyungu, Coordinator
Tel: +225 21 61 31
Fax: +225 21 62 12
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Biological control; Coffee; Education/training; Plant diseases; Plant pests

The ACRN was set up in March 1993, in the face of an unfavourable environment adversely affecting the economies of coffee-producing countries, by the Inter-African Coffee Organization and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), and with the support of the European Union, in order to reinforce African coffee rehabilitation programmes.

The Network's objective is to achieve conditions for establishing a viable African coffee sector by concentrating on four main areas:

research: African coffee genetics, flowering, irrigation, fertilisation, soil analysis, effective chemical controls;
development: biological control protection, selected planting materials, disease-resistant cultivars;
studies: plant spacing, mixed cropping, coffee technology, setting up coffee database;
training: of African research scientists, exchange visits between African researchers, dissemination of research results, preparation of audiovisual aids.

3.2 ANSWER - Asian Network for Sweetpotato Genetic Resources

Asian Network for Sweetpotato Genetic Resources
c/o CIP-ESEAP Regional Office
Jl. Raya Ciapus, Bogor
INDONESIA
Contact: Dr Paul Quek, Information and Documentation Specialist
Tel: +62 251 317951
Fax: +62 251 316264
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Web: http://www.eseap.cipotato.org/answer/
Geographic coverage: Asia
Languages: English
Subject areas: Plant genetic resources; Sweetpotatoes
Publications: A Guide to Indonesian Sweetpotato Genetic Resources (CD-ROM); list of publications downloadable from the website

ANSWER is a network of research institutions working on sweetpotato genetic resources in Asia, set up in 1996 in Bogor, Indonesia by its 11 member countries (China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam). ANSWER is supported by the International Potato Center (CIP) and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI).

The objectives of ANSWER are to:

enhance cooperation between participant countries for the conservation and evaluation of sweetpotato collections;
characterise accessions in national collections using an internationally accepted list of descriptors;
secure the long-term conservation of Asian sweetpotato genetic resources;
determine the genetic diversity in Asian sweetpotato collections;
select an Asian sweetpotato core collection to be preserved in a regional gene bank, and to promote its use;
establish an efficient means of exchanging information.

The sweetpotato is one of the major crops of Indonesia, and during the past decade the International Potato Center has been working with Indonesian institutions to collect, conserve and document sweetpotato genetic resources both for long-term maintenance of biodiversity and to help Indonesian farmers improve their production and use of this crop.

From the resulting database, ANSWER has produced a CD-ROM entitled A Guide to Indonesian Sweetpotato Genetic Resources. This contains a catalogue of passport, morphological, photographic and agronomic evaluation data of 1522 sweetpotato accessions. It also presents indigenous knowledge of a large number of these accessions; farmers' indigenous knowledge of the crop and its cultivation; summary information on the crop's biology and genetics; and full supporting texts of 15 scientific articles about sweetpotato and sweetpotato farming.

In addition, lists of publications relating to sweetpotato are available and downloadable in pdf format from the 'Information Exchange' and 'File Library' pages of the ANSWER website.

3.3 Asia - Pacific Banana Research Network (ASPNET)

INIBAP Asia - Pacific Regional Office
Third Floor, Collaborators Center
c/o IRRI
Los Baños, Laguna 4031
PHILIPPINES
Contact: Dr Agustin Molina, Regional Coordinator
Tel: +63 2 845 0563
Fax: +63 2 8911292
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.inibap.org/network/aspaspnet_eng.htm
Geographic coverage: Asia - Pacific Region
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Bananas; Capacity building

ASPNET was established in 1991 to foster collaborative research on this important crop. The Network includes 11 national agricultural research programmes and two research institutes.

ASPNET operates under the auspices of APAARI (Asia - Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutes), and is guided by a Regional Advisory Committee made up of representatives of all the national programmes and institutions that participate in the Network.

The International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) provides the secretariat and coordination for the network. The network helps countries to identify regional Musa research priorities. It encourages the development of collaborative projects, and has fostered a spirit of regional cooperation in agricultural research. The network places particular emphasis on supporting efforts in Musa germplasm collecting, conservation and evaluation. In addition, ASPNET promotes capacity building in the region, providing training, and organising and supporting workshops, meetings and seminars.

Banana research within countries is often carried out by many different organisations. Countries participating in ASPNET are encouraged to develop mechanisms to bring together all the different players in banana research at the national level. As a result, coordinated banana research programmes are now in place in several countries.

Information exchange: a Regional Banana Research Information and Documentation Network (RISBAP) was set up in 1996. RISBAP has 10 member countries and is located at the ASPNET regional office in the Philippines. It coordinates information exchange and communication among Musa researchers in the region. A copy of INIBAP's global database, containing thousands of bibliographic references, has been provided to the region. INIBAP's Information Unit at Headquarters provides technical support and links to other regional information networks.

3.4 Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC)

Asian and Pacific Coconut Community
3rd Floor Wisma Bakri
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kuningan
Jakarta 12920
PO Box 1343, Jakarta 10013
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5221712/13
Fax: +62 21 5221714
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.apcc.org.sg/
Geographic coverage: Asia & Pacific
Languages: English
Subject areas: Coconuts
Publications: COCOINFO International

Coconut palm is essentially a crop of small farmers, and is mainly grown in developing countries where coconut products are important sources of export earnings and contribute significantly to export earnings. Coconut is grown in about 90 countries in the humid tropics throughout the world, with nearly 90 per cent of its production coming from Asia and the Pacific region.

APCC is an organisation concerned with the promotion of the coconut industry. Its objectives are to promote, coordinate and harmonise all activities of the coconut industry, which sustains the lives of millions of small farmers as well as those engaged in industries developed around the production, processing and marketing of coconut products.

APCC is an intergovernmental organisation of 13 full member countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Western Samoa. Republic of Palau is an associate member. It was the first governmental commodity body to be set up in the region.

Information activities: the Secretariat of the APCC functions as the regional centre in a network for collection, analysis, packaging and dissemination of coconut information.

It is linked to coconut information centres of the member countries, and also to others outside the membership. The regional centre packages the information collected from different sources and disseminates them in various forms such as journals (CORD, COCOMUNITY, COCOINFO International), proceedings of technical meetings, country studies, technological sheets, directories, statistical yearbooks and video documentaries.

It disseminates its research through its newsletter and other publications.

3.5 AVRDC - the World Vegetable Center

AVRDC - the World Vegetable Center [Updated June 2004]
PO Box 42
Shanhua 741
Taiwan 74199
TAIWAN
Contact: David Abbass, Office of Publications and Communication
Tel: +886 6 583 7801 x 550
Fax: +886 6 583 0009
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.avrdc.org/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Germplasm; Vegetable crops
Publications: Online databases

The World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC), an international not-for-profit organisation is the principal international centre for vegetable research and development in the world. It is committed to alleviating poverty and improving diets through research, development and training. Its mission is to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables.

Publications and Information

AVRDC provides information on vegetable research through a variety of publications and sources. These include AVRDC Annual Reports, Strategic Plans and Medium-Term Plans. International Cooperator Guides are published and focus on many aspects of vegetable production. The full list of AVRDC publications can be viewed on http://www.avrdc.org/publist.html.

Centerpoint is the AVRDC's quarterly newsletter which highlights the latest research, news and events which are going on with the Center http://www.avrdc.org/whats_new.html

The AVRDC Library http://www.avrdc.org/library.html is home to more than 35,000 books, journals, and vegetable related documents. It maintains in-house electronic databases of bibliographic information and has access to leading research databases such as CAB, AGRICOLA, and AGRIS on CD-ROM. The library also networks with other educational institutions and research organisations to promote sharing of information.

All of the library's resources are explained in the AVRDC Tropical Vegetable Information Service at http://203.64.245.147/

The AVRDC Learning Center is an on-line source for information on vegetable crop production. The Center is a collection of on-line books, bulletins, fact sheets, and tutorials. The site contains over 100 AVRDC publications on tropical vegetable production http://www.avrdc.org/LC/home.html

Regional Center for Asia

ARC-AVRDC, P.O. Box 1010 (Kasetsart) Bangkok, Thailand 10903 Tel: +66 02 942 8686 / 942 8687Fax: +66 02 942 8688 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.arc-avrdc.org
Director: Dr. Meisaku Koizumi

Regional Center for Africa (RCA)

AVRDC Regional Center for Africa, PO Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2553093 / 2553102 Fax: +255 27 255 3125 E-mail: [email protected] Director: Dr. M.L. Chadha

AVRDC-WARDA Project

WARDA S/C ICRISAT, BP320, Bamako, Mali Coordinator: Virginie Levasseur

Hanoi CLV Peri-urban Agriculture Project

RIFAV, Vien Rau Qua, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi., Vietnam. Tel: +84 4831 4675, 876 8287.
CIRAD, Hai Ba Trung Kistrict, Hanoi, Vietnam. Tel: +84 4 972 0625, Fax: +84 4 972 0624.
Coordinator: Ly Boun-Tieng

3.6 Association des Chercheurs du Mais en Afrique [Association of Maize Researchers in Africa]

Association des Chercheurs du Mais en Afrique
BP 6236
Dakar
SENEGAL
Contact: Camara Papa Assane, Président
Tel: +221 832 24 31
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: French
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Maize

The objectives of the Association are to:

bring together all those researchers who are working on maize with a view to exchanging experiences;
promote the growing of maize, the main cereal consumed in Africa;
train African producers to improve productivity and the management of natural resources;
fight against hunger and poverty.

The Association is affiliated to the following organisations and networks:

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria;
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico;
national programmes working on maize in Africa.

From time to time the Association publishes papers on maize-related topics (such as fighting parasites; problems of production and selection).

New August 2004
Banana Link

Banana Link
38-40 Exchange St.
Norwich NR2 1AX
UNITED KINGDOM

E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.bananalink.org.uk/index.htm
Geographical coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Bananas
Publications: Publications can be accessed online

Banana Link is a non-profit company limited by guarantee established in early 1996 to develop the work on the international banana trade started by Farmers’ Link. Banana Link aims to alleviate poverty and prevent further environmental degradation in banana exporting communities and to work towards a sustainable banana economy. It aims to achieve this by working co-operatively with partners in Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa and the Philippines and with a network of European and North American organisations.

Banana Link:

· carries out research, provides educational services and disseminates information on the banana trade. Banana Link provides a specialised research and information service on trends in the international banana trade and on the activities of the companies involved.

· campaigns and lobbies, nationally and internationally, for a more socially and ecologically sustainable banana production and trade.

· works with and supports small banana farmers and plantation workers in producing countries.

· collaborates with other organisations working on similar issues in the rest of Europe and elsewhere.

A range of documents can be accessed from its website.

3.7 Banana Research Network for East and Southern Africa (BARNESA)

Banana Research Network for East and Southern Africa
INIBAP
Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office
PO Box 24384
Kampala
UGANDA
Contact: Eldad Karamura, Regional Coordinator
Tel: +256 41 286213/286948
Fax: +256 41 286949
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.inibap.org/network/esa_eng.htm
Geographic coverage: East and Southern Africa
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Bananas; Capacity building; Musa

BARNESA was established by the NARS under the auspices of ASARECA. It is governed by a steering committee composed of the directors of national, regional and international banana programmes from the region, while the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) provides the secretariat. BARNESA seeks to increase food security and farm incomes for subsistence farmers in the region. In this quest, BARNESA facilitates capacity building and information exchange between banana researchers, while at the same time assisting members of the network to access donor support for regional and national research agendas.

Network activities include:

coordination of region-level banana research activities;
facilitating Musa information exchange between stakeholders;
strengthening NARS capacity to conduct banana research;
assisting NARS to solicit and access donor funding;
facilitating the dissemination of improved banana management technologies.

With financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation, BARNESA countries are collecting information on banana production and research for compilation in a database. This is seen as a first step in developing a comprehensive regional research strategy. The GIS-based database will assist NARS in planning and setting priorities, at same time providing information on the role played by bananas in national economies.

New August 2004

Bureau for the Development of Research on Tropical Perennial Oil Crops (BUROTROP)

Bureau for the Development of Research on Tropical Perennial Oil Crops
34394 Montpellier Cedex 5
Avenue Agropolis
FRANCE

Tel: +33 (0) 4 67 04 75 62
Fax: +33 (0) 4 67 04 75 35
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.burotrop.org/database.htm
Geographical coverage:Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Coconut; Oil crops; Oil palm; Oil crops
Publications: BUROTROP Bulletin

BUROTROP was created as a vehicle for information exchange, consultation and cooperation between all parties involved in the conduct and funding of research activities in oil palm and coconut, and to help, by whatever are the most appropriate means, in transfer of research results to the production sector. Emphasis is given to developments that have the potential to benefit the small scale farmer especially, in the form of improved self-sufficiency as well as through improvement of his capacity to produce a cash crop for local or regional consumption.

Its objectives are to:

promote, and coordinate, an international network for research and development on tropical perennial oil crops;
identify the constraints to production of tropical perennial oil crops, particularly among smallholders, at the international, regional and country levels;
identify the constraints to post-harvest processing and marketing of products derived from tropical perennial oil crops;
formulate, or assist in the formulation of, programmes and projects to address the identified constraints;
identify funds and funding agencies for the implementation of such priority programmes and projects;
be the international body to co-ordinate the global network, providing advice and guidance to donors on priorities, avoidance of duplication, relevance and value for money, and to provide a service for project management, monitoring and evaluation to donors and international, regional or national programmes.

Its Research Projects Data Base is searchable by Project Title, Country, Researcher Name, Subject

BUROTROP Bulletin is available online.

New August 2004

Cassava Biotechnology Network (CBN)

Cassava Biotechnology
Secretariat
Apartado Postal 6713, Cali
COLOMBIA

Fax: +57 2 445 0073
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ciat.cgiar.org/biotechnology/cbn/
Geographical coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Biotechnology; Cassava; Food security

The CBN is a network of cassava researchers and end-users united by the goal of mobilising the development and application of biotechnological tools to enhance the value of cassava in the food security and economic development of the world's poorest rural areas. The Network operates along three major and complementary thrusts:

Priority setting and evaluation through the strategic use of social science to ensure that cassava end-users have a real voice in the development and implementation of biotechnologies;
Technology diffusion by further adapting key biotechnologies, together with small farmers, through public-sector research;
Information to promote awareness building and dialogue among scientists and end-users on biotechnology's inherent opportunities and constraints.

New September 2003

3.8 Centre Africain de Recherches sur Bananiers et Plantains (CARBAP) [African Centre for Research on Banana and Plantain]

Centre Africain de Recherches sur Bananiers et Plantains
PO Box 832
Douala
CAMEROON

Tel: +237 342 71 29
Fax: +237 342 57 86
E-mail: [email protected]
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English, French
Subject areas: Agricultural extension;Bananas; Education/training; Musa; Pest control; Plant diseases; Plantains
Publications: Le courrier du CARBAP; PlantaInfo; Annual reports; Fact sheets

The African Centre for Research on Banana and Plantain (Centre africain de recherches sur bananiers et plantains (CARBAP) was created on January 1st 2001, by an intergovernmental agreement signed by the Ministers of Research-Development of West and Central Africa (Conférence des ministres de la recherche-développement des pays de l’Afrique Occidentale et Centrale (COMRED/AOC).

CARBAP replaces CRBP(Centre regional de recherches sur bananiers et plantains), created in 1998 but pursues the same goals.

Global Objective: To improve the production of plantains and other bananas for local consumption, contribute to food security and poverty alleviation through a sustainable agriculture respectful of the environment.

Mission to:

develop, within a regional research focal point, cooperating activities aiming at improving and diversifying plantain and banana production systems within African Countries;
promote a scientific and technical cooperation within the framework of African and International Banana and Plantain Networks;
reinforce scientific and technical capacities of African Countries through special training adapted to their needs and constraints;
participate in the improvement of productivity and competivity of African export bananas in international markets;
disseminate CARBAP search results and valorise quality products adapted to the evolution of consumers’ needs.
promote scientific, technical and economic information and documentation

Activities:

Development of integrated control strategies for pests and diseases of bananas
Banana improvement for local consumption
Improvement of plantain production and marketing systems
Improvement of post harvest systems and search of new processing methods

To achieve these objectives, CARBAP works in partnership:

- In Cameroon: with IRAD, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce and Industrial development and (MINDIC) and universities

- With research institutes of the Sub-region: CENAREST (Gabon), DGRST (Congo), ICRA, INERA (RDC), INRAB (Benin), CNRA (Côte d’Ivoire)

- With development institutes of Cameroon and the Sub-region: SODECAO, PNVRA, PPDR, NGOs (Cameroon)-AGRICONGO (Congo) and IGAD Gabon)

- With international research centres as CIRAD, IRD, and Belgian and French Universities.

- With other international institute such as IITA, INIBAP, IPGRI.

Regional status of CARBAP:

CARBAP is recognised as the Sub-regional Centre for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain. All results obtained worldwide regarding banana research undergo field evaluation in CARBAP before being disseminated in all countries of West and Central Africa.

3.9 CGIAR System-wide Information Network for Genetic Resources (SINGER)

CGIAR System-wide Information Network for Genetic Resources
c/o International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
Via dei Tre Denari
472/a - 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino)
ITALY
Tel: +39 06 6118235
Fax: +39 06 61979661
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.singer.cgiar.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Genetic resources; Germplasm

SINGER is the genetic resources information exchange network of the international agricultural research centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It provides access to information on the collections of genetic resources held by the CGIAR centres. Together, these collections comprise over half a million samples of crop, forage and tree germplasm of major importance for food and agriculture.

SINGER links the genetic resources databases of the CGIAR centres, and allows simultaneous searches for information concerning the identity, source, characteristics and transfer of the genetic resources in the individual centre collections. SINGER is an activity of the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP) for which the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is the convening centre. Efforts are currently under way to extend SINGER to provide access to centre databases related to animal, aquatic and forest genetic resources.

The CGIAR centre germplasm databases can be accessed through the SINGER website. These can be searched by taxonomy, crop, common names, collecting missions, accession, material transfer and cooperators. Developments are under way to release a new version of SINGER on CD-ROM with the same features as on its website.

3.10 CIDICCO (Cover Crop International Clearinghouse)

CIDICCO
Apartado Postal 4443
Tegucigalpa MDC
HONDURAS
Contact: Milton Flores, Director
Tel: +504 39 5851
Fax: +504 39 5859
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Web: http://cidicco.hn/newcidiccoenglish/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Cover crops; Green manure; Legumes
Publications: Cover Crop News (quarterly); technical reports

CIDICCO is an NGO, founded in 1990 with the objective of identifying, documenting, disseminating, researching and/or promoting research in the use of cover crops or green manures and cover crops for small farmers. CIDICCO's work has been specifically oriented to the use of legume plants. Its website includes several CIDICCO publications, including the bulletin Cover Crops News, technical reports, and other materials and projects.

The Information Network on Green Manures and Cover Crops has an estimated 680 members from 78 countries worldwide. This is an informal network for the exchange of information on green manures/cover crops. Members exchange documents, seeds, field experiences and addresses of contact persons, and are willing to establish local and international relationships to promote the flow of information.

Coberagri-l is a discussion list (in Spanish) on topics related to agricultural systems dealing with cover crops, and provides an opportunity to send questions, debate the use of green manures/cover crops, present ideas and experiences, and locate information on this topic. Members of the list are development organisations, researchers, extension officers and other groups working in Latin American countries.

3.11 CIMMYT (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo) [International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre]

CIMMYT [updated March 2004]
Apartado Postal 6-641
06600 Mexico, DF
MEXICO
Contact: Kelly Cassaday, Head, CIMMYT Information Services
Tel: +52 5 726 7541
Fax: +52 5 726 7559
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cimmyt.org/
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Biotechnology; Maize; Wheat; Natural resource management
Publications: Online publications catalogue

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) is one of the international agricultural research centres affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CIMMYT produces numerous publications on wheat and maize in developing countries, covering aspects of plant breeding, plant pathology, physiology, crop management, natural resource management, socioeconomics, biotechnology, crop modeling, innovation networks, seed systems, crop information systems, and knowledge sharing. These publications take the form of monographs, journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, research reports, abstracts, newsletters and audio-visual materials. Most are sent free of charge to developing country researchers and libraries. An online catalogue is available. Most of the recent publications listed are available in full-text pdf or html formats.

3.12 CIP (Centro Internacional de la Papa) [International Potato Center]

Information Unit
Centro Internacional de la Papa
PO Box 1558, Lima 12
PERU
Contact: Dr Patricio Malagamba, Head, Training and Communications Dept
Tel: +51 1 349 6017/5783
Fax: +51 1 349 5638
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cipotato.org/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Crop production; Mountains; Potatoes; Tuber crops; Sweetpotatoes
Publications: Publication list available online

CIP is a scientific, non-profit institution dedicated to the increased and more sustainable use of potato, sweetpotato and other roots and tubers in the developing world, and to the improved management of agricultural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas. CIP is funded by members of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The library at CIP provides information services to researchers and others involved in the improvement of potato, sweetpotato and Andean root and tuber crop production worldwide. CIP's library collection contains more than 10 400 monographs or theses, 13 000 reprints, and 80 journal titles by subscription. This bibliographic material relates both generally and specifically to potatoes, sweetpotatoes and Andean root and tuber crops throughout the world.

The library database is searchable online. Search results can be displayed, printed or downloaded as text files. A list of CIP publications can be also be viewed through the website.

3.13 Cocoa Research Unit (CRU)

Cocoa Research Unit
University of the West Indies
St Augustine
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Contact: David Butler, Head
Tel: +1 868 662 8788
Fax: +1 868 662 8788
E-mail: [email protected]
Geographic coverage: Caribbean
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Cocoa

The Cocoa Research Unit in Trinidad has played a crucial role in cocoa research throughout the world. Located near the centre of origin of cacao, the Amazon Basin, the Unit has collected a range of genotypes which it has begun to analyse and plans to make available to cocoa producers. These include new material with greater disease, pest and drought resistance, and also early bearing material. Historically, the genetic base of cacao grown in Africa and elsewhere has been narrow, and with various pests and diseases, there has been a major problem in maintaining production. National research programmes have depended on the introduction of new genetic material from Latin America which has often been screened, tested and developed in Trinidad.

3.14 Coffee Research Institute (CRI)

Coffee Research Institute
PO Box 105
Kainantu, Eastern Highlands
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Contact: Jacob Taru, Head, Scientific Liaison
Tel: +675 737 3511
Fax: +675 737 3524
E-mail: [email protected]
Geographic coverage: Papua New Guinea
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Coffee
Publications: CRI Newsletter; PNG Coffee (journal); Coffee Research Reports

CRI is the research arm of the Coffee Industry Corporation in Papua New Guinea. Coffee is the major agricultural export commodity from the highlands of PNG. The research conducted at CRI in the Aiyura Valley of Eastern Highlands Province is aimed at improving yields (and thus livelihoods), breeding for disease resistance, and improving the management of coffee.

3.15 East Africa Root Crops Research Network (EARRNET)

East Africa Root Crops Research Network
IITA Eastern and Southern African Regional Center
PO Box 7878
Kampala
UGANDA
Tel: +256 41223460
Fax: +256 41223459
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cgiar.org/foodnet/workshop/EARRNET/
Geographic coverage: East Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Cassava; Root crops

EARRNET is a regional agricultural research and development network implementing a range of activities to strengthen the cassava sector in Eastern Africa.

The network has six research themes, plays a catalytic role in the delivery of new technologies with a range of public and private sector partners, and also provides research training and information about cassava. EARRNET is seeking partnerships with a range of public and private sector partners to undertake market-driven cassava research in Eastern Africa.

The goal of EARRNET is to contribute to food self-sufficiency and socio-economic development and growth by promoting production, and to facilitate utilisation and commercialisation through developing acceptable technologies for use by different stakeholders.

Its main objectives are to:

conduct surveys on the cassava subsector in order to establish production, utilisation and marketing constraints, and to monitor the adoption rate and impact of disseminated technologies;
develop post harvest technologies with the aim of increasing labour-use efficiency, minimising food losses and improving the quality of food products for sustained food security through identification, development and adaptation of post harvest technologies at the household, village and industrial levels, and the establishment of food processing and demonstration centres;
train stakeholders, expand the product range and encourage entrepreneurs;
introduce improved cassava populations with a high frequency of desirable genes for adaptation to lowland and mid-altitude cassava-growing ecologies of the ECA subregion, suitable to the required processing and to the market;
establish effective plant health activities and encourage an ecologically sustainable approach to managing disease and pest problems;
study crop and natural resource management systems that will improve and sustain productivity in major cassava ecologies;
establish multiplication, distribution and monitoring systems in all collaborating countries in order to hasten the distribution and adoption of improved technologies by stakeholders;
develop effective mechanisms for linking research, extension, producers, consumers and markets.

International mailing address: EARRNET, c/o Lambourn and Co., 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon CR3 9EE, United Kingdom.

3.16 Eastern and Central Africa Bean Research Network (ECABREN)

Eastern and Central Africa Bean Research Network
ECABREN
SADC/CIAT
PO Box 2704, Arusha
TANZANIA
Tel: +255 27 2502268
Fax: +255 27 2548557
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Web: http://www.asareca.org/ecabren/
Geographic coverage: Eastern and Central Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Beans; Food security

Mission: to contribute to poverty alleviation and the economic growth of the people of the region through increased productivity and commercialisation of beans while conserving the natural resource base.

Goal: to increase income of farmers and household food security, especially protein availability, for rural and urban populations.

Purpose: to increase productivity and commercialisation of the common bean in the region through the development and adoption of sustainable production and processing technologies, in partnership with national and international research institutions, farmers and farmers' associations, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders.

ECABREN is committed to improving income generation and food security (especially protein availability) for rural and urban populations through the development and adoption of sustainable production and processing technology appropriate to the bean crop, catalysing its transfer to producers and the promotion of market opportunities.

The Network generates considerable information research and technology exchange activities for its major stakeholders. This information is disseminated through publications, interviews in print and electronic media, farmer field days, announcements and drama. Think tanks are often assembled to develop specialised documents such as strategies and project proposals, and to deliberate on critical issues. These documents are distributed to members, subject matter specialists and relevant scientists for peer review before publication as occasional papers or journal articles. The network also receives information from non-network researchers, journals, libraries and participation in meetings. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) has been a major source of such information. The main channel of communication is through E-mail.

3.17 GRAIN (Genetic Resources Action International)

GRAIN [Updated June 2004]
Girona 25, pral.
E-08010 Barcelona
SPAIN
Contact: Amelia Foraster
Tel: +34 3 3011381
Fax: +34 3 3011627
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.grain.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Biodiversity; Farming systems; Food security; Genetic resources
Publications: Seedling (quarterly newsletter); Biodiversidad: cultivos y culturas (quarterly)

GRAIN (Genetic Resources Action International) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge. It is governed by a Board composed of representatives of the network of non-governmental organisations working in these areas, and is funded by a variety of third world development agencies, independent foundations, and government and intergovernmental sources.

GRAIN currently works toward:

promoting and strengthening grassroots approaches to genetic resources management;
ensuring that global legal arrangements on biological diversity and intellectual property schemes will
effectively reduce genetic erosion and promote sustainable development;
creating operational mechanisms to recognise and enforce the rights of farmers to enhance their role
in conserving genetic diversity;
monitoring developments in biotechnology and its impact on genetic resources and third world
farmers, while encouraging appropriate research of relevance to low-input farming systems.

GRAIN's activities revolve around networking (GRAIN provides a permanent contact point for information exchange), monitoring and research (GRAIN follows the latest trends in biotechnology, intellectual property rights legislation, and the implications of all this for developing countries), lobbying, campaigning and developing alternatives.

GRAIN produces a number of publications including:

Seedling - its quarterly newsletter, which is available free of charge to groups and individuals in the South, as well as to the NGO community at large.
Biodiversidad - is an independent Latin American quarterly magazine, produced jointly by GRAIN and REDES (Friends of the Earth - Uruguay ). Biodiversidad is written in Spanish, with some articles translated from Seedling and other contributions from collaborators in the region.
Semences de la biodiversité - is a concise two-page monthly bulletin providing news & analysis on intellectual property rights and agricultural biodiversity relevant to Francophone Africa. Each issue focuses on one subject.
Briefings - GRAIN produces several briefings each year. They are substantial research reports, providing indepth background information and analysis on a give topic.
Against the grain - is a series of short opinion pieces on recent trends and developments in the issues that GRAIN works on. Each one focuses on a specific and timely topic.

Regional offices
PHILIPPINES: GRAIN, Aurora Apts, Unit 1, Pearl St, Umali Sbd College,
Laguna 4031, Philippines. Tel: +63 49 536 39 79 Fax: +63 49 536 55 26
E-mail: [email protected]
URUGUAY: GRAIN, Calle San José 1423, CP 11100 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Tel: +598 2 902 42 01 E-mail: [email protected]

3.18 International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology [updated March 2004]
PO Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
KENYA

Contact: Dr Annalee N Mengech, Head, Information and Publications
Tel: +254 20 861680-4 +254 20 861689 (Direct line)
Fax: +254 20 860110/803360
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.icipe.org
Languages: English
Subject areas: Animal pests; Insect control; Pest control; Plant pests
Publications: Insect Science and its Application (journal)

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)'s prime concerns are research and development of methods of managing arthropod (insects, ticks, mites, etc) pests and disease vectors of plants, livestock and humans. ICIPE also looks at ways of conserving the biodiversity of arthropods to help maintain their important environmental functions and to serve as a natural resource for income generation. ICIPE works within the paradigm of promoting the `4Hs' for improved human and livestock health and productivity, food security and maintenance of a healthy environment. This is done by developing integrated pest and vector management (IPVM) components and integrating these with other environmentally sound and sustainable approaches suitable for use by the resource-poor of the tropics.

The `4Hs' include:

plant health: concerning horticultural pests of fruits, vegetables, flowers, bananas; locusts and other migratory pests; staple food crop pests of cereals (especially stemborers) and legumes; termites;
animal health: concerning tsetse, ticks and biting flies;
human health: concerning malaria mosquitoes, tsetse vectors of sleeping sickness, and filth flies;
environmental health: concerning biodiversity and conservation of arthropods; commercial insect farming and technology (silkworm and honey bees); bioprospecting for new insect-active and medicinal products from plants and animals; environmental conservation in threatened areas through medicinal plants farming;environmental impact of genetically modified organisms.

Capacity building in the `4Hs' is done through ICIPE's Africa Regional Post-graduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), a collaborative MSc and PhD-level training programme conducted in partnership with 28 African universities. The Dissertation Research Internship Programme (DRIP) offers Msc research projects to students worldwide.

Through its Information and Publications (IPU) unit, ICIPE maintains an active publishing programme under the imprint of ICIPE Science Press, which includes:

official documents and reports; publication lists
tertiary level textbooks and technical manuals on insect science and its applications;
scholarly works, especially those by African scientists and academics;
various public relations and promotional material.

ICIPE's information and publications unit also hosts the secretariat of the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (formerly Insect Science and its Application), the international journal of tropical insect science, now in its 24th volume, which from Volume 24 is being co-published quarterly with CABI. The IPU, like other ICIPE departments, is active in training student interns in information science, editing, graphics and publishing from local institutions and from international organisations in the Africa region. The publishing activities are supported by an editorial department, science illustrators, imagesetters and a small printshop. Limited publishing is done for external (third-party) clients. The information resources centre (library), a part of the IPU, aims to enhance these R&D and capacity building activities through the following services: reference services; library and interlibrary loans; literature searches; selective dissemination of information (SDI); photocopying; donation and exchange of publications; and on-line database and bibliography development and dissemination. The Pest Management Database (PMD) is available to library users; the library catalogue is distributed quarterly by email to interested parties and appears periodically on ICIPE's website at http://www.icipe.org. The library also holds archival copies and reprints of staff publications and the MSc/PhD theses of ARRPIS graduates.

Several of ICIPE's research programmes and departments also generate information in the form of databases, educational CDs (for limited distribution to collaborators), and information networks. For instance, ICIPE together with partners, is developing the African Insect Database, a registry of all the insect species found on the continent. Information networks on integrated pest management (http://informatics.icipe.org/IPM Africa, the Africa Remote Sensing Data Bank on climatic data (http://informatics.icipe.org/databank), stemborers (http://stemborer.icipe.org), molecular biology (http://mbbu.icipe.org). Home pages on commercial insects, fruit flies and other horticultural pests, mosquitoes and neem are being established, as are many other topics of special interest. The bioinformatics and information technology units assist in facilitating these activities.

3.19 International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT)

International Coconut Genetic Resources Network
IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania
PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
43400 Serdang, Selangor
MALAYSIA
Tel: +603 8942 3891
Fax: +603 8948 7655
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/networks/cogent/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Coconuts; Germplasm; Plant genetic resources
Publications: COGENT Newsletter (irregular); publications list available online

Established in 1992 by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), the goal of COGENT is to improve coconut production on a sustainable basis and to increase incomes in developing countries through improved cultivation of the coconut and efficient utilisation of its products. The objective of the Network is to function at national, regional and global levels to strengthen the capacity of national programmes to conserve and utilise coconut genetic resources.

Specifically, COGENT will:

establish and maintain an international database on existing and future collections;
encourage the protection and use of existing germplasm collections;
identify and secure additional threatened diversity by developing and adopting suitable technologies and conservation strategies;
promote greater collaboration among research groups in producer countries and advanced technology sources in the exchange of germplasm and the development of new technologies;
conduct appropriate training and information dissemination, and secure funding for Network activities.

There are currently 38 member countries from five regions (subnetworks): South East and East Asia; South Asia; South Pacific; Africa and Indian Ocean; Latin America and Caribbean. Membership is free to appropriate government entities in all coconut-producing countries. Benefits include access to germplasm information from member countries; access to coconut germplasm; access to new technologies; opportunities for coconut researchers to attend training courses, conferences and workshops organised by COGENT; opportunities to join collaborative research activities; and increased security of germplasm collections through collaborative conservation efforts.

It publishes the Cogent Newsletter which is downloadable in pdf format from the website, and other publications can also be accessed online.

3.20 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics [updated Nov 2004]
PO Patancheru
502 324
Andhra Pradesh
INDIA
Contact: V Balaji, Head, Information Resource Management Office
Tel: +91 842 224016
Fax: +91 842 241239
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.icrisat.org/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Crop production; Drylands ecosystems; Technology transfer

ICRISAT is one of the 16 centres under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Its aims are to:

serve as a world centre for the improvement of grain yield and quality of sorghum, millets, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut, and to act as a world repository for the genetic resources of these crops;
develop improved farming systems that will help increase and stabilise agricultural production through more effective use of human and natural resources in seasonally dry and semi-arid tropics;
identify constraints to agricultural development in the semi-arid tropics and evaluate means of alleviating them through technological and institutional changes;
assist in the development and transfer of technology to the farmer through cooperation with national and regional research programmes, and by sponsoring workshops and conferences, operating training programmes and assisting extension activities.

ICRISAT's publications (including bibliographic publications) are made available free of charge to suitable institutions in developing countries. ICRISAT also offers database search services and selective dissemination of information (SDI) services in its fields of interest through the provision of its semi-arid tropical crops information service (SATCRIS).

It maintains:

ICRISAT Sahelian Center (ISC);
ICRISAT Eastern Africa Regional Cereals and Legumes Program (EARCAL);
ICRISAT Latin American Sorghum Improvement Program (LASIP);
ICRISAT West African Sorghum Improvement Program, Mali (WASIP - Mali);
ICRISAT Western and Central Africa Program, Nigeria (ICRISAT Nigeria);
SADC/ICRISAT Sorghum and Millets Improvement Programme.

Projects:

ICRISAT/ICARDA Chickpea Project (with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, ICARDA);
SADC/ICRISAT Groundnut Project (with the Southern African Development Community, SADC);
SADC/ICRISAT Pigeonpea Project (with SADC).

3.21 International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Sahelian Centre (ISC)

ICRISAT Sahelian Centre
BP 12404
Niamey
NIGER
Contact: Director
Tel: +227 722529/722626
Fax: +227 734729
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.icrisat.org/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Agricultural production; Drylands ecosystems; Sustainable agriculture; Technology transfer
Publications: List of publications available online

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) works to help developing countries apply science in order to increase crop productivity and food security, reduce poverty, and protect the environment. It focuses on the semi-arid tropical areas of the developing world, where low rainfall is the major environmental constraint to agriculture. Special emphasis is placed on five crops that are particularly important in the diets of the poor: sorghum, millet, groundnut, chickpea and pigeonpea.

The Sahelian Centre in Niamey, Niger is ICRISAT's principal research base for the Sahelian region of West Africa. Its prime areas of focus are the improvement of pearl millet, the area's principal crop, and the development of farming systems suited to sustainable agriculture in the harsh conditions of the semi-arid tropics. ISC also serves as the administrative centre for ICRISAT's Western and Central African Region which includes two smaller research stations in Mali and Nigeria, where research focuses on sorghum and groundnut.

The objectives of ICRISAT's programmes at the Sahelian Centre are to:

serve as a regional centre for the improvement of grain yield and quality in pearl millet;
develop improved and sustainable farming systems that will increase and stabilise agricultural
production through the more effective use of natural and human resources in the Sahelian zone;
identify constraints to sustainable agriculture and evaluate means of alleviating them through technological, institutional and policy changes;
assist in the development and transfer of technology to the farmer, e.g. extension activities and training, cooperation with national and regional research programmes, and dissemination of information.

Other ICRISAT offices in Africa

ICRISAT Bamako, BP 320, Bamako, Mali
Tel: +223 223375, 227707, Fax +223 228683, E-mail [email protected]

ICRISAT Kano, IITA Office, Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road, PMB 3491, Kano, Nigeria
Tel: +234 64 662050,
Fax: +234 64 669051 or 663492
E-mail: [email protected]

Southern and Eastern Africa Regional Programme

ICRISAT Bulawayo, Matopos Research Station, PO Box 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 83 8311 to 8314, Fax: +263 83 8253, E-mail: [email protected]

ICRISAT Lilongwe, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, PO Box 1096, Lilongwe, Malawi
Tel: +265 707297, Fax: +265-707298, E-mail: [email protected]

ICRISAT Nairobi, PO Box 39063, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 2 521450, Fax: +254 2 521001, E-mail: [email protected]

3.22 International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)

International Network for Bamboo and Rattan
Beijing 100102-86
Beijing 100102
CHINA
Contact: Dr Ralf Kwaschik, Senior Information Specialist
Tel: +86 10 6470 6161
Fax: +86 10 6470 2166
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.inbar.int/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Bamboo; Rattan; Technology transfer
Publications: Journal of Bamboo and Rattan; INBAR News Magazine

INBAR is an international organisation, created in 1997 by 27 member states of the United Nations, and has its headquarters in Beijing, China with subsidiary offices in South Asia (India, Philippines), Europe (the Netherlands) and South America (Ecuador), and Africa (Ghana). Through a growing network of participating organisations and individuals from all continents, INBAR develops and assists in the transfer of appropriate technologies and solutions to benefit the peoples of the world and their environment. It is dedicated to improving the social, economic and environmental benefits of bamboo and rattan.

INBAR's outreach activities focus on technology transfer and assist in concentrating existing knowledge, facilitating South - South communication, disseminating knowledge about successful solutions, and raising the profile of these crops. INBAR offers comprehensive web-based and conventional information services. INBAR's means of information dissemination and communication with stakeholders include:

publications - manuals, proceedings, technical reports, working papers, Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, INBAR News Magazine, web links;
databases - bibliography, country facts, species-site matching, trade, etc.;
INBAR interactive knowledge networking - INBAR-IKON is a decentralised international repository for bamboo and rattan research resources. It collects information about the institutions/organisations related to bamboo and rattan research and development, and the projects and experts operating in these institutes, and makes it accessible on the Internet;
technology transfer modules - TOTEMs are comprehensive multi-media technology information packages targeting policy makers, technical intermediaries and beneficiaries;
regional technology information centres - TICs aim at making available technical information in local languages;
electronic discussion groups - INBAR's consultative groups on bamboo and rattan (CGBAR) and bamboo and rattan science and technology links (BARSTOOL) aim at promoting communication between stakeholders to develop a demand-driven agenda, and providing technical advisory services to INBAR clients;
workshops, conferences - INBAR is involved in several training workshops (e.g. housing, handicraft) and conferences/congresses annually, and participates in trade fairs and exhibitions.

INBAR outputs target intermediaries and multiplicators for effective and efficient information dissemination, and aims to assist rural poor people who typically cannot afford to pay for information and technology.

3.23 International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP)

International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain
Parc scientifique Agropolis II
34397 Montpellier cedex 5
FRANCE
Contact: Claudine Picq
Tel: +33 4 67 61 13 02
Fax: +33 4 67 61 03 34
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.inibap.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Bananas; Musa; Plantains
Publications: INFOMUSA (newsletter)

INIBAP was established in 1985 as an international organisation with a mission to sustainably increase the productivity of banana and plantain grown on smallholdings for domestic consumption and for local and export markets. Using networking as its modus operandi, INIBAP has a small headquarters staff in Montpellier, France, and regional offices in the four major banana-growing areas of the world. INIBAP is a programme of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), a Future Harvest centre.

In order to disseminate information on the banana (Musa), INIBAP publishes a range of publications:

annual report;
trilingual serials;
INFOMUSA, the international magazine on banana and plantain;
Musarama, the bibliographic abstracts journal on banana and plantain;
MusaDoc, a CD-ROM on Musa;
technical documents;
fact sheets on Musa diseases and pests;
technical guidelines;
Musalogue: catalogue of Musa germplasm;
descriptors for banana;
proceedings of seminars and workshops;
monographs;
Bananas (English, French), an illustrated brochure on bananas and plantains;
INIBAP Factsheets.

Those wishing to receive a printed copy of these publications should contact INIBAP.

To ensure a continuous flow of updated information and documentation on Musa, INIBAP maintains and updates regularly several databases:

MUSALIT: a trilingual bibliographic database, which contains more than 6000 comprehensive abstracts about banana and plantain and covers several subject areas such as agronomy, breeding, crop protection, micropropagation, diseases and pests, fruit physiology, post harvest, agro-economics, etc.;
BRIS: the Banana Research Information System provides data on 823 researchers working on bananas and plantains;
MGIS: the database of the Musa Germplasm Information System contains 3655 records of accessions held in 11 collections, providing passport data and information such as photographs, morphological characteristics, agronomic performance and susceptibility to diseases or stress.

INIBAP also provides the secretariat for regional programmes:

BARNESA (Banana Research Network for East and Southern Africa), PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 41 286213, Fax: +256 41 223503, E-mail: [email protected]

MUSACO (Réseau Musa pour l'Afrique Centrale et Occidentale, BP 12438, Douala, Cameroon
Tel: +237 429156, Fax: +237 429156, E-mail: [email protected]

MUSALAC, Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office, c/o CATIE, 7170 Turrialba, Costa Rica
Tel: +506 556 2431, Fax: +506 556 2431, E-mail: [email protected]

ASPNET (Asia and Pacific Regional Network for Banana and Plantain), c/o IRRI, Third Floor, Collaborators Centre, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Tel: +632 8450563/8127686, Fax: +632 8911292/8178470, E-mail: [email protected]

PROMUSA (Global Programme For Musa Improvement), c/o INIBAP headquarters.

3.24 International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)

International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
Via dei Tre Denari 472/a
00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino) Rome
ITALY
Contact: Paul Neate, Head of Communications Services
Tel: +39 06 61181
Fax: +39 06 61979661
E-mail:[email protected].
Web: http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Plant genetic resources
Publications: Publications accessible in PDF format online

IPGRI is an autonomous international scientific organisation, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IPGRI's mandate is to advance the conservation and use of genetic diversity for the wellbeing of present and future generations.

IPGRI's headquarters are in Rome, Italy, with offices in a further 20 countries worldwide. It operates through three programmes:

Plant Genetic Resources Programme - supports the efforts of national, regional and international systems to conserve and use plant genetic resources. This is IPGRI's largest programme;
International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) - works to increase and sustain the productivity of bananas and plantains grown on smallholdings;
CGIAR Genetic Resources Support Programme - provides advice and services to the CGIAR in the area of genetic resources policy, and enhances the system's work on genetic resources through the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme.

The institute furthers the study, collecting, conservation, documentation, evaluation and use of genetic diversity of useful plants for the benefit of people throughout the world. It also sponsors and originates research that is of immediate or fundamental use to plant genetic resources activities.

IPGRI publications are available free of charge to the libraries of gene banks, university departments and research institutions. On request to the head of the editorial and publications unit, titles may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of a publication. A considerable number of IPGRI publications are also available for downloading from its website in pdf format.

3.25 International Program for Arid Land Crops (IPALAC)

International Program for Arid Land Crops
Institute for Agriculture and Applied Biology
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
PO Box 653
Beer Sheva 84105
ISRAEL
Contact: Arnie Schlissel, Administrative Coordinator
Tel: +972 7 461971/2
Fax: +972 7 4729/98469
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.bgu.ac.il/IAR/IPALAC.htm
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Crop production; Dryland ecosystems

IPALAC was launched in Israel in 1994 with the aim of promoting the use of plant species that are adapted to semi-arid lands to combat desertification. IPALAC acts as a catalyst for maximising the potential of plant biodiversity for the rural development of the world's drylands. Its main focus is in trying to help resource-poor countries, particularly in Africa.

It aims to bring together existing national and international research institutions, NGOs and other parties to form research coalitions. These are designed to develop, evaluate and implement plant-based environmental and development projects, centred largely on sharing Israel's successful experience in introducing drought-resistant plants.

3.26 International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

International Rice Research Institute [Updated June 2004]
DAPO Box 7777
Metro Manila
PHILIPPINES
Contact: Mila M. Ramos, Librarian
Tel: +63 2 580 5600 x2768
Fax: +63 2 580 5699
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.irri.org
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Germplasm; Rice
Publications: Publication list available online

One of every three persons on earth depends on rice for more than half of his or her daily food. Ninety per cent of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia, where more than half the world's people and about two-thirds of the world's poor live. Rice is also an important staple in Latin America and Africa. IRRI was established to help farmers in developing countries grow more rice on limited land with less water, less labour, and fewer chemical inputs, and to do so without harming the environment.

Today, IRRI's interdisciplinary research programmes concentrate on the four major rice ecosystems: irrigated, rainfed lowland, upland, and flood-prone. A fifth, the cross-ecosystems research programme, focuses on research that will generate knowledge applicable to all, or several, programmes.

Current projects include developing new plant types for the major rice ecosystems, rice genome studies, sustainability and biodiversity in rice, soil and nutrient management in different rice-growing environments, integrated pest management, rice and global warming trends, and many others that hold the key to enough rice for the 21st century.

IRRI's international services and projects aim to strengthen the rice research capability of national systems and to improve the Institute's services to the international rice research community. These programmes are:

germplasm conservation;
dissemination, and evaluation;
information and knowledge exchange;
training;
crop and resource management network.

Much of IRRI's research is done in collaboration with national rice research programmes and with advanced laboratories all over the world through complementary projects.

IRRI is a centre under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It specialises in rice and rice-based cropping systems, genetic evaluation and utilisation, control and management of rice pests, irrigation water management, climatic environment and rice, cropping systems, and machinery development and testing.

Copies of IRRI publications are sent out to selected institutions as either gifts or exchange materials. Recipients are usually agricultural libraries, documentation centres, research stations, and institutions that are actively engaged in rice research or are disseminating information about the crop.

3.27 International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)

International Society for Horticultural Science [updated March 2004]
W. Decroylaan 42 (01.21)
3001 Leuven
BELGIUM
Contact: Jozef Van Assche, Executive Director
Tel: +32 16229427
Fax: +32 16229450
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ishs.org/ or http://www.actahort.org
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Horticulture
Publications: Acta Horticulturae; Chronica Horticulturae (quarterly)

The International Society for Horticultural Science - in short ISHS - originated in 1864 and drafted its modern constitution in 1959. With members in more than 130 countries, ISHS is the leading independent organisation of horticultural scientists in the world. Membership is open to all interested horticultural scientists, educators, students and organisations.

Today the ISHS has more than 5,500 Individual Members, some 50 Country/State Members, and about 200 Organisation Members. Through the activities of its 8 Sections, Commissions and 90 Working Groups, ISHS promotes research and education in support of all components of horticultural crop production, crop biochemistry and physiology, on exploration and preservation of plant genetic resources, and on the profound importance of gardening within a healthy human ecology. ISHS meetings and resulting publications are a major source of up-to-date information on global horticultural research. The Society encourages international co-operation by bringing together science and technology professionals to stimulate, facilitate and co-ordinate research and scientific activities on a global scale.

English is the official language of ISHS used at meetings and in its publications.

Activities, Publications and Membership

The success of the ISHS as a facilitator of international networking within horticultural science is achieved with more than 30 specialized symposia held every year, usually in as many countries. Each involves a convener, local organizing committee, international scientific committee, and editorial board drawn from the Working Group. Invited keynote lectures and contributed papers are combined with discussion sessions and a Working Group business meeting. Most symposia include a tour with both scientific and cultural components. The editor and editorial board compile and review the papers for the Proceedings published by the Society as a volume of Acta Horticulturae. This publication, available at cost to all those attending the symposium, is sold to academic/research libraries around the world and to others interested in the subject. The entire Acta library is available online at www.actahort.org. Tens of thousands of researchers all over the world use this resource to stay in touch with advances in horticultural science.
Chronica Horticulturae, the quarterly publication of the Society, contains diary dates, announcements, news items and details of forthcoming events. Chronica also features reports on the activities of the Board of Directors, Sections, Commissions and Working Groups and discussion of major issues affecting horticulture.
There are many benefits of ISHS membership. All members receive Chronica Horticulturae. All members can participate at reduced cost in the international symposia organized by Working Groups, Sections and Commissions. All members are entitled to a number of free full-paper downloads each year from the more than 650 searchable Acta at www.actahort.org and both Individual and Organisational Members are entitled to substantial discounts when purchasing books (Acta) from the Secretariat. All members can stand for leadership positions and participate in the election of Section, Commission and Working Group leaders.
A major benefit of ISHS membership is the privilege of attending the International Horticultural Congress at discounted rates. These Congresses, held every four years and attended by 2,000 or more delegates, are carefully planned to cover all specialisations within horticultural science.

Details on ISHS membership, including an application form, are available from www.ishs.org/members (reduced rates are available for students and members from developing countries).

3.28 IPMEurope

IPMEurope Secretariat [updated Sept 2004]
Rural Development Division
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5
Postfach 5180
65726 Eschborn
GERMANY

Contact: Petra Schill, Secretary

Tel: +49 6196 791424
Fax: +49 6196 797173
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ipmeurope.org/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Pest control; Sustainable agriculture

IPM Europe, the European Group for Integrated Pest Management in Development Cooperation, is a network for coordinating European support to integrated pest management (IPM) in research and development. It involves institutions of the European Commission, European Union member states and associate states (Norway and Switzerland), with an interest in promoting IPM in developing countries. The raison d'être of the Group is concerted European effort on IPM policy and implementation in development cooperation.

In the context of developing countries, IPM Europe aims to:

improve availability and access to IPM and sustainable agriculture-related information;
enhance the European contribution to sustainable agricultural development;
promote collaboration between member and partner country institutions in projects and programmes relating to pest management;
demonstrate the competence and comparative advantage of the European professional skill base in IPM and provide European, developing country and other institutions with improved access to those skills;
contribute to the harmonisation of European IPM policy, research and implementation;
promote and enhance the use of sustainable agriculture and IPM.

Its database, IPMIS (Integrated Pest Management Information System), provides information on ongoing research projects in the field of IPM with relevance for developing countries.

3.29 MUSACO (Réseau Musa pour l'Afrique Centrale et Occidentale)

MUSACO (Réseau Musa pour l'Afrique Centrale et Occidentale)
INIBAP
West and Central Africa Regional Office
BP 12438, Douala
CAMEROON
Contact: Ekow Akyeampong, Regional Coordinator
Tel: +237 429156
Fax: +237 429156
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Geographic coverage: West and Central Africa
Languages: French
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Bananas; Musa; Technology transfer

In 1997, at the invitation of CORAF (West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development), 10 NARS along with representatives from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Nigeria, the Regional Centre for Banana and Plantain Research (CRBP) Cameroon and the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), met and agreed to form MUSACO. INIBAP provides coordination and the secretariat for MUSACO.

The goal of MUSACO is to improve income and food security through sustainable increase in production and productivity of banana and plantain.

Its objectives are to:

strengthen and coordinate regional cooperation;
strengthen the capacity of NARS;
facilitate the production, gathering and exchange of information;
facilitate transfer of technologies to stakeholders;
facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of banana research and development and assess its impact in the region.

New November 2003
PestNet

PestNet
AUSTRALIA

Contact:Grahame Jackson, Chair
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.pestnet.org/
Geographical coverage: South East Asia/ Pacific
Languages: English
Subject areas: Crop production; Pests; Plant pests; Plant production

PestNet is an email network that helps people in the Pacific and South East Asia obtain rapid advice and information on plant protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. It links the Pacific and South East Asian regions with plant protection specialists worldwide and is free to members.

PestNet has hundreds of members worldwide from government and non-government organisations, universities, and the private sector, as well as farmers and students. Any organisation, group or individual can join. All they need is access to email, a question to ask, information to give, or just an interest in plant protection and being part of a worldwide network.

Topics include pest identifications from digital images, pest outbreak alerts, pest management (biological, cultural, and chemical), and quarantine interceptions.

Those wishing to join can do so by email (Email: [email protected]) or via the Yahoo!®Groups website.

3.30 Pesticide Action Network Africa (PAN Africa)

Pesticide Action Network Africa
BP 15938 Dakar - Fann
Dakar
SENEGAL
Contact: Dr Abou Thiam, Coordinator
Tel: +221 825 49 14
Fax: +221 825 1443
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.pan-africa.sn/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English; French; Spanish
Subject areas: Pesticides
Publications: Pesticides & Alternatives (three issues per year)

PAN Africa is an information and action network, and a member of the Pesticide Action Network International, a global coalition of voluntary groups, NGOs, research institutes and similar organisations working towards the adoption of sound ecological practices instead of using hazardous chemical pesticides. It coordinates activities of its members on the African continent and sets out to:

inform and sensitise on hazards and problems related to pesticides used in agriculture and disease vector control;
work towards the understanding of complex questions and issues related to the indiscriminate use of pesticides;
at all levels of society, work towards the consolidation and dissemination of methods, techniques and adapted local technologies as alternatives to hazardous and expensive chemical pesticides;
promote protection of the environment and sustainable agriculture based on sound management and development of local resources.

PAN Africa publishes three issues a year of Pesticides & Alternatives, a newsletter on pesticide news, alternatives to chemicals, integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture.

3.31 Pesticide Action Network Latin America (PAN Latin America)

Pesticide Action Network - Latin America
c/o Red de Acción en Alternativas al uso de Agroquímicos
Apartado Postal 11-0581, Lima
PERÚ
Tel: +51 1 4257955
Fax: +51 1 3375170
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.rap-al.com/
Geographic coverage: Latin America
Languages: Spanish
Subject areas: Agronomy; Pesticides

PAN's Regional Center for Latin America is coordinated by the Action Network for Alternatives to the Use of Agrochemicals (RAAA). RAAA is an organisation of diverse groups and people interested in reducing the use of agrochemicals in Peru. RAAA promotes diverse strategies such as ecological soil management, ecological management of pests, the implementation of ecological small businesses, as well as understanding the toxic effects of pesticides on health and the need to implement adequate legislation.

3.32 Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK)

Pesticide Action Network UK
Eurolink Business Centre
49 Effra Road
London SW2 1BZ
UNITED KINGDOM
Contact: David Buffin, Coordinator, UK and Europe Programme Editor, Pesticides News
Tel: +44 20 7274 8895
Fax: +44 20 7274 9084
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.pan-uk.org/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Pesticides; Sustainable agriculture
Publications: Pesticide News (quarterly); Current Research Monitor

PAN UK is a charity concerned with the health and environmental problems of pesticides. It was formed as the Pesticides Trust in 1987 to respond to worker, environment and developing country pesticide concerns. PAN UK is funded by a variety of trusts and foundations, as well as some government and European Union funding. Subscriptions, public donations and some consultancy fees augment funding. The Network provides information and policy guidance on pesticides problems and on sustainable agricultural alternatives at national, European and international levels. PAN also develops research with participants in developing countries. It has initiated fieldwork, supporting conversion to organic cotton with farmers in Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe through non-governmental liaison in Africa. Another project supports the development of three resource centres on pesticides and alternatives in Africa (Ghana, Senegal and Benin).

The Network has an extensive publishing programme which includes Pesticide News, its quarterly journal; Current Research Monitor, which lists up-to-date publications, papers and articles selected from numerous scientific, toxicological, medical, environmental and specialist journals; and in-depth briefing papers and reports.

An alternative contact at PAN is Barbara Dinham, Director, International Programme.

3.33 Plant Resources of South-East Asia Foundation (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Foundation [Updated June 2004]
c/o Herbarium Bogoriense, RDCB - LIPI
Jl. H. Juanda 22
PO Box 332
Bogor 16122
INDONESIA
Contact: Dr Made Sri Prana, Director
Tel: +62 251 322859/377762
Fax: +62 251 370934
E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected], / [email protected]
Web: http://www.proseanet.org/proseaf/index.cfm / http://www.prosea.nl/
Geographic coverage: Southeast Asia
Languages: English
Subject areas: Plant resources
Publications: PROSEA Handbook; PROSEA Bibliography series; PROSEA Newsletter

PROSEA, (Plant Resources of Southeast Asia) is an autonomous, non-profit, international agency governed by a Board of Trustees. It is an international programme focusing on the documentation and dissemination of information on plant resources of Southeast Asia. PROSEA consists of a Network Office in Bogor, Indonesia co-ordinating six Country Offices in South-East Asia, and a Publication Office in Wageningen, (The Netherlands).

Its objectives are to:

document the existing wealth of information on plant resources of Southeast Asia;
make operational a computerised databank on the plant resources of Southeast Asia;
publish the results in the form of an illustrated, multivolume Handbook in English;
disseminate the information for education, extension work, research and industry;
promote the dissemination of the information gathered.

The main publication of the PROSEA programme is the illustrated multivolume PROSEA Handbook (1-20). This publication is distributed by Backhuys Publishers in the Netherlands for industrialised countries, and the low-price paperback edition by the Network office and its country offices in developing countries. Other publications include: PROSEA Bibliography series and PROSEA Newsletter

PROSEA Electronic, or e-PROSEA for short, is the online/web-based version derived from the PROSEA databank being developed by PROSEA Network Office. Its main objective is to distribute and disseminate the PROSEA information widely for the purpose of education, extension, research, and decision/policy making. e-PROSEA offers free access the general public to basic information on useful plants in South-East Asia. Access to the complete information requires User Registration where users are provided with User IDs and passwords freely.

3.34 Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa [updated March 2004]
PO Box 341
6700 AH Wageningen
NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 317 484587
Fax: +31 317 482206
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.prota.org/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Plant resources

PROTA is an initiative of Wageningen University, the Netherlands. In cooperation with institutes in Africa and Europe, its programme intends to survey, compile, edit, publish and disseminate knowledge on some 7000 useful plants of tropical Africa. It builds on the experience gained by its twin programme, PROSEA, (Plant Resources of South East Asia) (1985 - 2002).

The preparatory phase of PROTA took 3 years (2000-2003). During this phase a network of scientific institutes in Africa and Europe was built, the editorial and publication activities were tried out, and international consensus was reached on the organisation of the programme (First PROTA International Workshop, 2002). The 'prototype' publications are available in print and electronically through a Webdatabase on www.prota.org. The core publications will appear in the course of the implementation phase of the programme running from 2003-2012.

3.35 PNG Cocoa and Coconut Extension Agency (CCEA)

PNG Cocoa and Coconut Extension Agency
PO Box 1227
Madang
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Contact: Uron Salum, Director
Tel: +675 852 1379
Fax: +675 852 1381
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Geographic coverage: Papua New Guinea
Languages: English; Tok Pisin
Subject areas: Cocoa; Coconuts; Copra; Extension/advisory work

CCEA was established to work with growers and producers in the coconut and cocoa industry to improve the productivity, incomes and livelihoods of the tens of thousands of families dependent on these two commodities. In this endeavour, it cooperates closely with the PNG Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute (CCRI) and provincial departments of primary industries in relevant provinces.

3.36 PNG Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute (CCRI)

PNG Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute
PO Box 1846
Rabaul, East New Britain
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Contact: John Duigu, Head, Scientific Liaison Unit
Tel: +675 983 9108
Fax: +675 983 9115
E-mail: [email protected]
Geographic coverage: Papua New Guinea
Languages: English
Subject areas: Cocoa; Coconuts; Agricultural research; Extension; Research; Training
Publications: Extension publications on coconut and cocoa agronomy, pests and diseases, and processing

CCRI is the leading research institute for two of Papua New Guinea's major export commodities, copra and cocoa. It has an extensive research programme and operates from two research stations, the main one on the Gazelle Peninsula and the other at Madang on the PNG mainland. Training of extension officers in new technologies is carried out by the CCRI Scientific Liaison Unit in association with the PNG Cocoa and Coconut Extension Agency (CCEA); training of farmers is also undertaken.

3.37 PRAPACE/CIP (Programme Regional d'Amelioration de la Pomme de Terre et de la Patate Douce en Afrique Centrale et de l'Est) [Regional Potato and Sweetpotato Improvement Network]

PRAPACE/CIP
PO Box 22274
Kampala
UGANDA
Tel: +256 41 286209
Fax: +256 41 286947
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.asareca.org/prapace/
Geographic coverage: Eastern and Central Africa
Languages: French
Subject areas: Crop production; Potatoes; Sweetpotatoes

PRAPACE developed out of PRAPAC, a network established in 1982 by the national research institutions of Burundi, Rwanda and DR Congo to link their potato programmes. Currently PRAPACE collaborates with potato and sweetpotato programs of 10 ASARECA (Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa) member countries in the region. These countries are: Burundi, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The network operates under the auspices of ASARECA, and is affiliated to the International Potato Center (CIP), which provides backstopping for the flow of improved germplasm, scientific information, training and administrative support.

The PRAPACE network was conceived to link and strengthen national programmes on potato and sweetpotato in East and Central Africa in order to solve common problems at regional level.

The overall goal of the PRAPACE network is to alleviate poverty by increasing and improving productivity of potato and sweetpotato (production, processing, distribution, marketing and utilisation) for improved food security, nutrition and income as part of agricultural transformation to accelerate economic growth in the region.

The main objective of the network is to develop sustainable technologies which will promote economic growth as well as increase food security and nutrition, and help conserve natural resource base. The specific objectives are to:

improve mechanisms for reaching farmers, processors, consumers and other users of improved technologies, and foster linkages with diverse extension and development institutions for effective technology transfer and dissemination;
improve the capacity for effective monitoring and evaluation within the national programmes to facilitate impact assessment and improve future priority setting and research planning;
improve the flow and exchange of advanced germplasm, scientific knowledge and technology relevant to a particular problem or research theme;
accelerate the process of technology development in similar agro-ecologies through collaboration among member programmes in regional coordinated trials;
facilitate the spill-over from technology development efforts from one country to another and therefore reduce duplication of effort among national programmes;
provide a forum for peer review of research proposals and technical findings, and improve the performance and productivity of scientists and technicians in national programmes through a combination of regional, in-country and on-the-job training.

3.38 Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific (CGPRT Centre)

CGPRT Centre
Jl. Merdeka 145
Bogor 16111
INDONESIA
Contact: Fetty Prihastini, Distribution Officer
Tel: +62 251 343 277
Fax: +62 251 336 290
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cgprt.org.sg/index.html
Geographic coverage: Asia and Pacific
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Coarse grains; Pulses; Root crops; Tropical agriculture; Tuber crops
Publications: Palawija News (quarterly)

Established in 1981, the CGPRT Centre works towards reducing poverty through enhancing sustainable agriculture in Asia and the Pacific.

Objectives:

to provide members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) with expert technical services and facilities required for the development of production, utilisation and trade of CGPRT crops by strengthening national research and development activities;
to solve food problems, increase employment opportunities, achieve better income distribution and a balanced diet, as well as accelerate close linkages with livestock and other industries.

Functions:

provision of assistance for the development of an agricultural research network;
preparation of agro-economic studies, including social aspects;
training of national research and extension workers;
collection, processing and dissemination of information.

Programme and activities: the Centre, in cooperation and collaboration with its partner countries and related institutes, initiates, provides and coordinates programmes for research, training and dissemination of socio-economic information on CGPRT crops in Asia and the Pacific.

Information Services: the Centre provides and distributes socio-economic information and data related to CGPRT crops to the member countries and relevant institutes.

The library has a collection of approximately 5600 titles consisting of textbooks, papers, research reports, statistics, directories, bibliographies, and journals of more than 400 titles. It offers a photocopy service, literature search using CDS-ISIS and card catalogues, and an inter-library loan and exchange programme.

Database: the Centre has a large database containing specific and wide-ranging agricultural data focusing on major cereals, coarse grains, pulses, roots and tuber crops in the region of Asia and the Pacific, and its Database Online can be accessed on http://www.cgprtstat.org/.

Publications: CGPRT Centre publishes working papers, monographs and proceedings, project reports, bibliographies and statistics. Palawija News is a quarterly newsletter distributed free of charge to interested individuals and institutions. It also publishes data releases electronically, and digital maps on diskette. A publication catalogue is available on request.

CGPRT crops:

coarse grains - maize, sorghum, millet, barley, etc.;
pulses - soybean, mungbean, chickpea, pigeonpea, lentil, groundnut, etc.;
roots and tubers - taro, yam, cassava, potato, sweetpotato, etc.

3.39 Reseau Maghrébin de Recherche sur Feve (REMAFEVE) [Faba Bean Research Network of the Maghreb]

REMAFEVE
BP 6358
10101 Rabat-Instituts
MOROCCO
Contact: Dr Mustapha Malki
E-mail: [email protected]
Geographic coverage: Northern Africa; Maghreb
Languages: French
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Faba bean

REMAFEVE was set up in 1992 by the national agricultural research systems of the Maghreb region of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Today the Network includes 50 researchers from 12 institutes in the region. Its objective is to reinforce faba bean research in the Maghreb by promoting intra-Maghreb cooperation and establishing a self-sustaining and innovative research process.

3.40 SeaweedAfrica

Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute
National University of Ireland
University Road, Galway
IRELAND
Contact: Professor Michael D. Guiry
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.seaweedafrica.org/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Seaweed; Marine sciences

SeaweedAfrica is a 3-year project initiated in November 2001 to expand AlgaeBase (a biodiversity database of seaweed information) to include ecological, commercial and technology data from the whole of Africa. The project aims to bring together leading marine scientists from nine countries spread throughout Europe, Africa and South America.

The SeaweedAfrica website of the AlgaeBase online database is currently being developed and hosted at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa in conjunction with the AlgaeBase team based in the Martin Ryan Institute, Ireland. Ecological, commercial and technological information on seaweeds and their uses internationally will be added to AlgaeBase and made available via the Internet.

Production and distribution of an information pack regarding this project is under way. This pack will contain:

CD-ROM version of the SEAWEEDAFRICA section of the database;
CD-ROM containing checklists of the seaweeds of Africa and of the south Atlantic Ocean (these lists will include all species recorded, as opposed to just the commercial ones that are the basis of the SEAWEEDAFRICA section);
a short guide to the CDs, and the Internet version of the database including details of where to go for more information.

The pack will be distributed internationally, free of charge, to specific target end-users, the major focus being on countries that have coastlines on the south Atlantic or western Indian Oceans.

The website is continually being developed and updated, its primary purpose being to serve the people working on the project. To access most of the information on this website, users will need to register and log in. For up-to-date taxonomic, nomenclatural and distributional information on over 25 000 currently accepted species of seaweed, they should consult http://www.algaebase.org/.

3.41 Southern African Root Crops Research Network (SARRNET)

Southern African Root Crops Research Network, SARRNET Secretariat
Chitedze Research Station
PO Box 30258, Lilongwe 3
MALAWI
Contact: Dr Nzola Meso Mahungu, Coordinator
Tel: +265 707014
Fax: +265 707298
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.iita.org/sarrnet/sarrnet/asanet.htm or http://www.iita.org/sarrnet/
Geographic coverage: Southern Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Cassava; Crop production; Germplasm; Root crops; Sweetpotatoes
Publications: Roots Newsletter

SARRNET was launched in 1993 as a follow-up from an earlier network for Eastern and Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network (ESARRN). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is executing the project, with responsibility for coordinating the network. Twelve Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are part of the network: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The SARRNET grouping works under the umbrella of the Southern Africa Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Natural Resources (SACCAR) Board which ensures compliance to legal requirements on property rights and biosafety in the international exchange of germplasm.

The major goal of SARRNET is to increase income and improve household food security for resource-poor farmers in southern Africa. Its main objectives are to increase cassava and sweetpotato production and utilisation by smallholder households in the resource-poor areas of southern Africa through the adoption of improved varieties and practices.

As part of its programme of information exchange and dissemination activities it publishes the Roots Newsletter and reports, and organises workshops and meetings.

3.42 Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL)

Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands [updated April 2004]
Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew
Richmond
Surrey TW9 3AB
UNITED KINGDOM
Contact: Mr Stephen Davis

Tel: + 44 20 8332 5772/5773
Fax: + 44 20 8332 5768
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.kew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English; French; Portuguese; Spanish
Subject areas: Dryland ecosystems; Plant ecology
Publications: Kew Newsletter and other newsletters available online

The Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) is a major online database and advisory service on useful wild and semi-domesticated plants of tropical drylands. It currently has information on more than 6,300 species, drawing together a wide range of information on, for example, uses, morphology, geographic distribution and ecological data, from widely scattered sources and disseminating this knowledge to help support sustainable dryland development programmes. Users of SEPASAL range from governmental departments, non-governmental organisations, aid agencies, development organisations and individual researchers.

SEPASAL can provide lists of species suitable for a given region and/or use, or provide detailed species profiles giving a wide-range of data. Whilst the scope of SEPASAL is international, it has a particular focus on Africa, with "nodes" recently established in Kenya (at the Kenya Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, part of the National Museums of Kenya), and in Namibia (at the National Botanical Research Institute, Windhoek). A project (African Wild Harvest) is also underway to collate information on the nutritional contents of African wild food plants and, with international partners, aims to promote the sustainable use of wild food plants for diet diversification and food security.

3.43 Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK)

Tea Research Foundation of Kenya
PO Box 820
Kericho
KENYA
Contact: J. K. Ruto, Director
Tel: +254 0361 20598/9
Fax: +254 0361 20575
Web: http://www.tearesearchkenya.org/
Geographic coverage: East Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural research; Crop production; Tea
Publications: Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (newsletter)

The main objective of the Foundation is to promote research into - and investigate all problems relating to - tea and associated crops and systems of husbandry in Kenya, including productivity, quality and suitability of land in relation to tea planting. TRFK is concerned with the production and manufacture of tea, with a special emphasis on the agronomic, botanical, environmental, physical and chemical aspects, and pests and diseases management, biochemistry and engineering of black tea processing.