Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources with reference to the Pacific Island Countries

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are indispensable for tackling agricultural challenges including limiting the impacts of climate change, enhancing food and nutritional security, and developing a sustainable and green bioeconomy. The Pacific Island countries (PICs) are considered the centre of origin and diversity for some important root, fruit, and nut crops. The staple food crops of the region (Colocasia taro, cassava, sweet potato, cocoyam, breadfruit), in varying degrees, are expected to be more resilient to climate change and climate variability than cereals. However, decreasing availability of local food and land coupled with increasing reliance on nutrient-poor imported food has imposed a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and obesity. The displacement of traditional cultivars, introduction of novel crops, and changes in food habits are key drivers accelerating the erosion of genetic diversity in the region. Additionally, most genetic resources in the region have been used to improve biotic rather than abiotic stress resilience such as shifting precipitation patterns and rising temperatures. Regional initiatives (Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT), Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), Pacific Seeds for Life (PS4L), South Pacific Regional Initiative on Forest Genetic Resources (SPRIG), Pacific Islands Tree Seed Centre (PITSC)), National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC)), and farmers’ organisations (Kastom Gaden Association (KGA)) have played crucial roles in germplasm conservation in the PICs. Among the key PGR conservation strategies for the region are ex situ and in situ conservation, complementary molecular tools, systematics and phylogenetic studies, niche areas and neglected and underutilised species (NUS), bioinformatics, geographical information system (GIS), and Internet of Things (IoT). A parallel strategy is exploring the vast genetic diversity in the Pacific to identify valuable traits for improving abiotic stress resilience. Additionally, strengthening the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) initiatives in the Pacific can go a long way in ensuring farmer participation in decision-making processes and valuing their indigenous knowledge systems.