Experience sharing by participants of a recent training and workshop under Action Learning Project 1 on Resilient and Diverse Seed Systems:
During our recent visit to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Genebank in Addis Ababa, we witnessed firsthand the operations of a world-class genetic resources conservation facility. The experience impacted many of us, sparking discussions about the potential benefits such a facility could offer to agricultural research and development in our respective countries.
The visit was part of a training program on participatory crop improvement organized by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation of Wageningen University and Research, under the umbrella of the ISSD Africa Community of Practice.
Participatory crop improvement can be greatly enhanced through collaboration with international and national genebanks, which can offer valuable genetic resources and related knowledge for testing in farmers’ fields.
Image: Arnab Gupta/WUR
Key insights
One of the core features of the Genebank is the focus on forage crops. The Genebank maintains an extensive collection of more than 1,000 forage species, which plays a critical role in supporting livestock systems globally. As one participant remarked, “The ILRI Genebank is not just an institution, but a global resource. It benefits countries worldwide and seeing how this genebank operates, was an eye-opener.” All participants shared this insight and were equally impressed by the scale and sophistication of the genebank operations.
The impressive long-term and medium-term storage facilities showcase ILRI’s commitment to conserving these vital resources. “We were amazed by the long-term and medium-term storage facilities, and how the Genebank meticulously focuses on different aspects of genetic conservation.” This observation speaks to the meticulous planning and execution of genetic conservation at ILRI, which ensures that valuable resources are available to researchers, breeders, and farmers across the world.
However, sustaining such a facility in regions affected by conflict and fragility has its unique challenges. Genebanks in these areas must constantly struggle with issues such as limited infrastructure, political instability, and disrupted supply chains, which can compromise the conservation of genetic materials. Yet, despite these obstacles, several strategies were discussed to enhance the resilience of genebanks. These include decentralized storage facilities, partnerships with international bodies (like CGIAR) for technical and financial support, and community-driven conservation efforts. ILRI’s experience offers valuable lessons on how to manage such facilities under difficult circumstances.
Besides, the organizational structure of the Genebank stood out. There are specialized departments handling different operations, from molecular diagnostics to serological testing, all working seamlessly without overlap of responsibilities. One participant reflected: “The Genebank is highly organized, with clear roles for each department, ensuring that tasks are managed efficiently.”
Take-Home Messages
For many of the participants, the visit underscored the importance of establishing a similar genebank in their own countries. A participant from South Sudan noted: “This visit has inspired me to advocate for the establishment of a genebank back home. It is clear that the conservation of genetic material is crucial for future agricultural resilience.” Others echoed this, expressing a desire to explore collaboration with ILRI to support the development of a genebank in their respective regions, particularly in areas such as molecular diagnostics and the collection of genetic material. There was a consensus that partnerships with the ILRI Genebank could provide invaluable support for genetic research and conservation efforts in their home countries. One participant summed this up: “The ILRI Genebank has opened up new avenues for collaboration, particularly in molecular diagnostics, and we look forward to exploring these opportunities.”
In addition, participants acknowledged the need to consider the fragile contexts in which some national genebanks operate. The approaches assimilated from ILRI’s operations, such as enhancing technical capabilities and fostering international partnerships, were seen as essential for ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of genebanks in such regions. Some participants planned to explore the possibility of establishing decentralized genebank, coupled with a community seed bank, to balance out risk and ensure accessibility in the event of local disruptions
Another key takeaway was the importance of training. The group agreed that there was an urgent need to train technicians on how to manage genebanks effectively. “We need to ensure that our technicians are trained in handling geneplatforms and the processes of sample collection and storage.”
Images: Trainees at the ILRI genebank seed quality evaluation lab facility learning about the sample intake and viability determination. Image: Arnab Gupta/WUR
Follow-Up Actions
In terms of follow-up actions, several participants indicated that they would share the knowledge gained from this visit with colleagues in their home institutions. They planned to engage in discussions about how best to leverage the resources of the ILRI Genebank for their own research and conservation needs.
They expressed a desire to initiate formal collaboration with the ILRI Genebank. “We intend to collaborate with ILRI, particularly in terms of material transfer and testing, to enhance the capacity of our national genebank.”
Images: ILRI Genebank long-term storage and medium term storage facilities. Image: Bashir Ahmed/ Nugaal University
This kind of collaboration could help address gaps in national genebank operations and bolster the overall effectiveness of genetic conservation efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Conclusion
The visit to the ILRI Genebank was an enlightening experience for all involved. It provided not only a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in genetic conservation, but also highlighted the potential for international collaboration. The insights gained from this visit will shape future strategies for the establishment and management of genebank in the participating countries. As one participant concluded:
“This visit was not just educational, it was inspirational. It has shown us the importance of conserving our genetic resources for future generations.”
For more information: https://www.ilri.org/research/facilities/ilri-genebank
Image: Mach Allier, Dr John Garang University of Science and Technology, South Sudan
Authors (participants of the training and workshop)
| Name | Organization |
| Taban Elizara Joseph | Seed and Biodiversity Research Organization (S-BRO), Juba, South Sudan |
| Bashir Ahmed Mohamed | Nugaal University, Somaliland |
| Opio Aisteen | Manager, Nakaseke Community Seed Bank, Uganda |
| Adam Ahmed Adam | Sanaag University, Somaliland |
| Dr. Beatrice Clarence Misaka Langwa | Univ of Juba, S. Sudan |
| Mach Alier Barach | Dr. John Garang Memorial University, South Sudan |
| Ahmed Bashir Ahmed | University of Burao, Somaliland |
| Mulugeta Tilahun | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
| Dr. Bogale Nigir | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
| Dr. Hailu Terefe | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
| Worku Abera | District Agricultural Office, Addis Ababa |
| Dr. Basazen Fantahun | Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute |
| Dr Dejene Kassahun Mengistu | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
| Arnab Gupta | Wageningen University & Research |
| Ronnie Vernooy | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |