Founded in 1974, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is the world's largest international institute dedicated solely to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. The Institute is staffed by a network of 300 individuals working in 22 offices around the world. Its headquarters are in Maccarese (Fiumicino), Italy, on the outskirts of Rome.

IPGRI supports research on the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, especially genetic resources, to create more productive, resilient and sustainable harvests. Its work aims to allow people to use agricultural biodiversity for sustainable livelihood - one which would entail more food, better nutrition, higher income, and environmental sustainability, especially for those in developing countries.

Its main goals include demonstrating the social, economic and environmental benefits of agricultural biodiversity; ensuring that agricultural biodiversity is conserved, characterized, and used to improve productivity; generating knowledge about agricultural biodiversity through research, and making such knowledge available on the public domain; developing human and institutional capacity to conserve and make effective and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity; analyzing policies and fostering an environment that supports the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity; and raising awareness of the values of agricultural biodiversity and the importance of the conservation of genetic resources.

To date, IPGRI has sponsored over 550 germplasm collecting missions in 136 countries. Many national genebanks have been established with the Institute's assistance, and more than 2000 national scientists have been trained. Over 150 countries now participate in the 50 or so networks whose development has been supported by IPGRI. Through its research, IPGRI has contributed to a better understanding of genetic diversity and to major advances in conservation strategies and methods, especially in such areas as in vitro conservation and ultra-dry seed storage.

Dr. Emile Frison, former director of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), one of IPGRI's three programmes, is IPGRI's current Director General. IPGRI is a center of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

For more information, visit IFPRI at http://www.ipgri.org.

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