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Crop Trust – Genebank Platform 2018

Project completed

The Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) safeguards globally important collections of crop diversity critical for improving food and nutrition security. Genebanks require constant maintenance. The Crop Trust Endowment Fund ensures the long-term funding for the maintenance of these genebanks. The unique bilateral contribution by Switzerland contributes to safeguarding (and building up of) the Endowment Fund.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Climate change and environment
Agriculture & food security
Biodiversity
Agricultural development
01.01.2018 - 31.12.2018
 CHF  2’000’000
The project in brief
Background The CGIAR genebanks safeguard some of the largest and most widely used collections of crop diversity in the world, critical to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security. Crop collections in genebanks (ex-situ conservation) require constant maintenance, and even brief disruptions can leave material at risk of permanent loss. The conservation of crop diversity in genebanks is a long-term task with a long-term funding need. The Crop Trusts’ mandate is to ensure stable, predictable and long-term funding to maintaine these genebanks and this is ensured through the Crop Trust Endowment Fund.
Objectives To contribute to safeguard and build the Crop Trust Endowment Fund.
Target groups The final beneficiaries are researchers and breeders within CGIAR, national agricultural research systems, national genebanks, universities and private breeders. The ultimate beneficiaries are farmers who benefit from increased access to improved varieties that are better adapted to their local conditions and specific needs in the face of climate change and other existing pressures.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Withdrawal of the endowment fund reduced
  • Disease-free, viable, documented germplasm made available
  • More effective access and use of germplasm enabled
Results

Expected results:  

  • Crop Trust Endowment Fund built up to USD 230 million
  • Germplasm viability tested: Number of accessions with acceptable viability = 705’000
  • Germplasm regenerated or multiplied in the field = 80’000
  • Germplasm safety duplicated = 30’000
  • Germplasm distributed to users upon request = 100’000 samples


Results from previous phases:  

  • Crop Trust Endowment Fund built up to USD 196 million
  • Germplasm viability tested: Number of accessions with acceptable viability = 677’517
  • Germplasm regenerated or multiplied in the field = 80’000
  • Germplasm distributed to users upon request = 100’000 samples
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Foreign academic and research organisation
  • Other Academic Research North


Coordination with other projects and actors Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’000’000
Project phases

Phase 1 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)

  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
    AGRICULTURE
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Bio-diversity
    Agricultural development
    Cross-cutting topics The project promotes biodiversity as a priority.
    Aid Type Basketpooled multi-donor fund
    Project number

    7F10180

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Last update 08.01.2021