SPGRC Seychelles mission to enhance plant genetic resources documentation |26 February 2025
The SADC delegation with PS Nancy and his team
The SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) has successfully concluded a technical mission in Seychelles aimed at strengthening plant genetic resources (PGR) documentation.
The week-long initiative, held from February 16 to 23, 2025, provided specialised training to officers from the Seychelles Agriculture department to enhance their knowledge and capacity in genetic resource management.
The mission focused on equipping the Seychelles National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC) with the tools and expertise required for effective documentation and conservation of plant genetic materials. The training centered around WebSDIS, an advanced digital platform used across the SADC region for PGR data management.
Leading the mission were Kasonde Mubanga, international senior programme officer, and Mike Daka, technical officer for documentation and information, both from SPGRC Zambia.
The experts collaborated with local agricultural officials, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and practical implementation.
During their visit, the SPGRC team engaged in various strategic activities. A courtesy call was made to Keven Nancy, principal secretary of the Agriculture department, where the team discussed the long-term vision for PGR documentation in Seychelles.
Visits to local farms and the national field gene bank were conducted to evaluate conservation efforts and identify areas for enhancement.
Practical training sessions at the Anse Boileau Research Centre covered system setup, data synchronisation, accession registration, passport data management, germination test documentation, and distribution tracking, alongside general management and security of plant genetic resources.
The mission concluded on February 21, 2025, with a debriefing session reviewing training outcomes and outlining future actions for Seychelles’ genetic resource management.
The training led to the successful registration of 27 new accessions in the WebSDIS system. Several key recommendations were put forward to ensure sustainable genetic resource management in Seychelles. A dedicated chiller facility should be installed to store seed accessions of crops such as chili, eggplant, and tomato, extending their viability from annual planting to a five-year regeneration cycle.
To safeguard valuable genetic material, backup collections should be maintained at an alternative site. All nursery plants should have corresponding parent material plantations to sustain conservation efforts. Proper labelling of genetic accessions should include planting dates, accession codes, scientific names, and variety details.
The SPGRC delegation commended Seychelles’ proactive approach in distributing planting materials to farmers and backyard gardeners, highlighting its potential to be a regional leader in plant genetic conservation.
The department of Agriculture remains committed to leveraging SPGRC expertise to continuously improve PGR management. By adopting best practices and integrating digital documentation tools, Seychelles is poised to become a key player in regional genetic resource conservation within the SADC network. The collaboration with SPGRC is expected to foster innovation, resilience, and sustainability in agricultural biodiversity conservation.
Contributed
Caption:
The SADC delegation with PS Nancy and his team
Courtesy visit and meeting with PS Nancy
Farm visit
