National Strategy for Conservation and Management of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Lebanon 2015-2035.

The present National Strategy for Conservation and Management of Plant Genetic Resources For Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) defines is long term Visions as being of great importance for the people of Lebanon in terms of food security, agricultural and rural development and management of natural resources.
The Strategy addresses the national development planning for agriculture, environment and socio-economic sectors. It aims to create, strengthen and rationalize coordination among stakeholders and players within the Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment for an efficient management in the country with respect to the priority areas of the second Fao Global Plan of Action (second GPA) relevant to conservation, sustainable use, policy, and building capacities. It will align the relevant activities of the Plan with other long-term national development plans, e.g. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The main goals of the strategy are the following: a) to ensure the conservation of PGRFA as a basis for food security, sustainable agriculture and poverty reduction by providing a foundation for current and future use; b) to promote sustainable utilization of PGRFA as well as to provide options for adapting to and mitigating climate change and responding to food, feed and other needs; c) to promote the exchange of PGRFA and relevant data between holders, users, seed producers and farmers; d) to foster economic development through PGR value chain products; e) to set the conceptual bases for the development and adoption of national policies and legislation, as appropriate, for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA; f) to assist relevant stakeholders in identifying priorities for action; g) to strengthen national programmes including research, education and training on the conservation and use of PGRFA and to enhance institutional capacities; h) to promote information sharing and cooperation on PGRFA among national stakeholders and institutions, to ensure cost efficiency, complementarities, and effectiveness in efforts to conserve and sustainably use PGRFA; i) to promote information sharing and partnerships within the region and with international organizations; j) to strengthen the implementation of the ITPGRFA and other international tools.
A National Plan of Action for PGRFA conservation and management is formulated for Lebanon for the coming 20 years addressing the national development planning for agriculture, environment and socio-economic sectors. Four main thematic components are stipulated in order to ensure the further implementation of the Plan of Action. A set of specific objectives are convened for each component reflecting the continuum process to the management of PGRFA, interlocking relevant activities from conservation, use, to seeds delivery, through a coordinated alliance and partnerships between national institutions. These specific objectives should be fully integrated into the national programmes within the relevant ministries and addressing the country’s priority crops including cereals, vegetables and fruit trees. The specific objectives are: 1) To ensure reliable on-farm and in situ conservation of PGRFA: 2) To ensure ex situ conservation of PGRFA and improve their access and usefulness; 3) To make available PGR and information on their potential use; 4) To enhance farm diversification and improve farmers livelihood; 5) To enhance utilization of inter- and intraspecific diversity; 6) Policy measures to support PGRFA management; 7) Implementing the PGRFA; 8) Promoting farmers’ rights; 9) Networking; 10) Education and research; 11) Capacity building; 12) Raising public awareness.
The text consists of 3 Parts as follows: State of PGRFA in Lebanon (1); The National PGRFA Strategy (2); Implementation of the National Plan of Action for PGRFA (3). One Annex is enclosed.