Author Description

"From 17 to 19 October 2011 plant genetic resource leaders from more than 17 Asia-Pacific countries gathered in Tsukuba, Japan. Discussions were held on progress in the development of National Information Sharing Mechanisms (NISMs) and how to further sustain this initiative in each country and through regional collaboration. On Day 2 a symposium was held on the topic Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific: Impacts and Future Directions. This publication presents the symposium's papers that highlight issues at the farmers' level, such as participatory plant breeding which has been essential for reintroduction of taro production in Samoa and, at the genomic level, improved productivity of crops such as soybean"--Publisher's description.