GIGA Project Launched

Access to information on germplasm stored in genebanks in various parts of the world – this is the goal of the Global Information on Germplasm Accessions (GIGA). Researchers particularly in resource-poor countries will benefit from consolidated information about agricultural diversity. “Bioversity and its partners are contributing to the development of a global system of information and exchange for agricultural biodiversity. This will facilitate the wider use of biodiversity, which in turn is the key to agricultural development in a time of increasing food and fuel prices, climate change and water scarcity,” said Emile Frison, Director-General of Bioversity International.

GIGA will develop common information standards to describe key characteristics of genetic resources to facilitate communication among users. Michael Mackay, coordinator of the project from Bioversity, adds that GIGA will also deploy a new version of a genebank data-management software being developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture and will build a user-friendly system to help people find information or samples from the genebanks.

Additional information on GIGA is available at http://www.bioversityinternational.org/news_and_events/news/article/article/giga-project-to-ease-access-to-global-genebanks/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=323&cHash=45815b1e86