Background

In the last two and half decades, some attempts have been made in mobilizing resources and networking for more effective plant genetic resources (PGR) activities in the region. While these initiatives provided an important base upon which to build collaboration and networking on PGR development in the region, they do not go far enough to ensure that plant genetic resources of the whole region are sustainably managed and utilized into the long-term future. Such were the concerns expressed during several regional meetings and consequently the recommendations made to strengthen capacities and promote sub-regional collaboration and synergy through the establishment of a PGR network in the region.

The Stakeholders' meeting to consider needs and plans for the establishment of an Eastern Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network was held in Kampala, Uganda 3-5 November 1997. The meeting was organized by IPGRI (now Bioversity International) in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda (NARO) with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). At this meeting, representatives from the various countries resolved to establish the Eastern Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network (EAPGREN) with the initial participating countries being Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Sudan and Uganda. The representatives further resolved that the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) be requested to have EAPGREN operating under its umbrella and this was approved by the ASARECA Committee of Directors in December 1997. EAPGREN became operational under the umbrella of ASARECA in May 2003.

Member countries

EAPGREN is a regional joint project of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of the ASARECA member countries viz. Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda. Within these countries, there are the national focal institutions/points for the network and implementation of country level activities. The following are the national focal points for the network:

Burundi
Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU)
Eritrea
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) MOA
Ethiopia
Biodiversity Conservation Institute (IBC)
Kenya
National Gene Bank of Kenya, Kenya Agricultural Research
Institute (KARI)
Madagascar
Centre National de Recherche Appliquee au Development Rural CENRADERU/FOFIFA
Rwanda
Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR)
Sudan
National Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Agricultural Research
Corporation (ARC)
Uganda
Entebbe Botanic Gardens, National Agricultural Research Organization, (NARO)