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National Focal Point
Malawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre is the designated National Focal Point (NFP) for implementing and monitoring the GPA for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA. The Steering Committee of NISM outlined the following roles as roles for National Focal Point for proper implementation of NISM:
- To monitor and implement the whole process of NISM
- To co-ordinate and facilitate in-country activities of PGRFA information exchange
- To present reports on PGRFA at national, regional, and international levels
- To provide technical guidance in the information gathering, sharing, merging and synthesis.
- To design and manage a NISM web-site
- To establish linkages with various and relevant government ministries/departments (including planners and policy makers)
- To provide editorial assistance to ensure compliance
- To conduct public awareness activities on NISM
- To coordinate steering committee activities (Secretariat)
- Prepare and submit work plans and budgets for NISM activities
- To draft State of plant genetic resources report for Malawi
- Revising and completing the Common Tables in the Computer Application, to be used as a reference information by Stakeholders to facilitate data entry
- Distributing the Computer Application and all relevant documents to the Stakeholders participating in the National Information Sharing Mechanism on GPA implementation
The National Focal Point comprises
- Lawrent Pungulani – Curator
- John Kanthungo – In situ & Collection Officer
Malawi Plant Genetic Resources was established in 1992 by Malawi Government with following objectives:
- To promote conservation and utilisation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Malawi.
- To formulate Malawi’s plant genetic resources conservation priorities and strategies
- To handle in situ conservation of plant genetic resources
- To foster cooperation and encourage the development of conservationactivities in Malawi
- To services researchers and farming communities with braod plant genetic resources base
Core functions of Malawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre:
- Inventory and collection of threatened plant genetic resources
- Long-term storage of germplasm in form of seed and live plants
- Characterising and evaluating of conserved germplasm
- Conduct public awareness on importance of conserving plant genetic resources
- Formulation and implementation of policies affecting plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
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