The Programme shall create the conditions for the collection, conservation and use of local plant genetic resources of agricultural crops, both for the conservation, mitigation and adaptation of biodiversity, for food security and for the preservation of cultural heritage.
The programme was prepared by the Ministry of Rural Affairs with the involvement of the following organisations:
University of Tartu, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Crop Research Institute, Estonian Rural Museums Foundation, Estonian Open Air Museum, Estonian National Museum, MTÜ Maadjas, MTÜ Eesti Seemneliit, Ministry of the Environment and Estonian Agricultural Board.
The programme is carried out in Estonia by research institutions engaged in the conservation of plant genetic resources for agricultural crops:
1. Estonian Crop Research Institute: collection and preservation of genetic resources of grain and legumes, grasses, vegetables and oil crops in the ex situ gene bank, in vitro preservation of potatoes and horticultural crops. Participation in international cooperation on plant genetic resources and coordination of intra-European cooperation;
2. Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences: collection and preservation of the genetic resource of fruit and berry crops in collection gardens.
3. Botanical Garden of the Natural History Museum of the University of Tartu: collection and preservation of medicinal, taste and ornamental plants genetic resources in collection gardens.
The programme has been approved by order of the Minister of Rural Affairs no. 1.1-2/7 of 15.01.2021.
The main objective in the implementation of the programme is to ensure the collection, preservation and study of the genetic resources of agricultural crops of Estonian origin, as a foundation for preservation crop diversity, thereby creating the prerequisites for sustainable development.
The implementation of the programme ensures the preservation and use of genetic resources of agricultural crops of Estonian origin.
Continuing with the activities of the 2014-2020 programme, more attention will be paid to the wave of the use of genetic resources and the preservation of wild related species of cultivated plants.
Link to other strategy documents and international law documents.
The programme fulfils the obligations arising from international agreements for the Republic of Estonia. These agreements include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Second Global Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agricultural Genetic Resources (CGRFA), approved by the Commission for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2nd GPA) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
The programme contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the "Agriculture and Fisheries Development Plan 2030", being directly integrated to the policies "High-quality inputs in agriculture" and indirectly to the integrated policies "Agricultural environment", "Plant health, animal health and welfare", Production, valorisation and marketing of agricultural products" and "Development of rural and coastal areas".
The activities of the program are aimed at achieving the following goal: the range of varieties of agricultural and garden crops and plant propagating material is diverse, high-quality and suitable for local conditions. The programme is also mutually supportive with several sectoral development plans (e.g. Estonian Rural Development Plan for 2014-2020, Estonian Environmental Strategy until 2030 and Nature Conservation Development Plan until 2020).