The Indian Experience in Establishment of National Information Sharing Mechanism for Monitoring the Implementation of GPA

The Global Plan of Action (GPA) for conservation and sustainable utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) is an initiative of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), signed by ISO countries at Leipzig, Germany in 1996. The GPA is a framework of activities encompassing development of in situ conservation of PGRFA, sustaining existing collections, enhancing utilization and increasing capacity of countries regarding education, public awareness and training on these aspects. FAO has developed a monitoring process of implementation of GPA in different countries through a mechanism called National Information Sharing Mechanism (NISM) for monitoring the implementation of GPA. The Indian experience in implementation of this mechanism and its outcome is discussed in this article.