Why do we keep a genetic resource?

The sustainable use of genetic resources in agricultural crops may include the following measures:

(a) Pursuing a fair agricultural policy to promote the development and preservation of diversified agricultural production in order to improve the sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity and other natural resources;

(b) The promotion of research, which improves and maintains biodiversity by maximising inter-species and intra-species disparities for farmers, in particular for those farmers who breed and use their varieties and apply ecological principles in maintaining soil fertility and combating plant diseases, weeds and plant pests;

(c) the promotion of plant breeding which, in cooperation with farmers and in particular in developing countries, helps breed varieties suitable for social, economic and natural conditions, including in marginalised areas;

(d) Extending the genetic base of cultures and increasing the scope of genetic diversity available to farmers;
(e) Promoting, where appropriate, the wider use of local and intropressed cultures, varieties and less-used species;

(f) Supporting the use of more diversified varieties and species in agricultural production, the preservation and sustainable use of crops and the creation of a close link between plant breeding and the development of agriculture, in order to reduce the sensitivity of crops and genetic erosion and to promote increased world food production in accordance with the principles of sustainable development;

(g) Evaluation and, where necessary, adaptation of strategies and legislation related to the distribution of varieties and seeds.

National Programme

The programme shall be completed by the following authorities:

1. Estonian Crop Research Institute (ETKI) – grain and legumes, grasses, vegetables and technical and oilseed crops, and potatoes and horticultural crops in vitro;

2. Estonian University of Life Sciences, Polli Horticultural Research Centre (EEC PKI Polli) – Fruit and berry crops;

3. Botanical Garden of the University of Tartu (UT BA) – medicinal, flavoring and ornamental plants;

4. Tallinn Technical University, Department of Gene Technology (TUT GTO) – molecular analysis of remains.