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Bioversity International

Website: http://www.bioversityinternational.org

Since 1 December 2006, IPGRI changed its name to "Bioversity International". The name echoes the new strategy, which focuses on improving people’s lives through biodiversity research.

Founded in 1974, Bioversity International is the world's largest international institute dedicated solely to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. It has a staff of around 300, in 22 offices around the world.

The Institute is funded mainly by developed-country donor and development agencies, but also by an increasing number of less developed countries.

Bioversity International’s basic aim is to enable people to use agricultural biodiversity to sustainably improve their livelihoods. Meaning:

  • More food
  • Better nutrition
  • Higher incomes
  • Environmental sustainability

Mission

Bioversity International undertakes, encourages and supports research and other activities on the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, especially genetic resources, to create more productive, resilient and sustainable harvests. Our aim is to promote the greater well-being of people, particularly poor people in developing countries, by helping them to achieve food security, to improve their health and nutrition, to boost their incomes, and to conserve the natural resources on which they depend. Bioversity International works with a global range of partners to maximize impact, to develop capacity and to ensure that all stakeholders have an effective voice.

Objectives

The purpose of Bioversity International’s work is to ensure that individuals and institutions are able to make optimal use of agricultural biodiversity to meet current and future development needs of people and societies. To achieve this purpose, and in support of its mission, Bioversity International will carry out a range of activities to meet six broad objectives.

Demonstrating the benefits: Demonstrating the social, economic and environmental benefits of agricultural biodiversity.

Biodiversity for income and food security: Ensuring that agricultural biodiversity is conserved characterized and used to improve productivity.

Researching agricultural biodiversity: Generating knowledge about agricultural biodiversity through research, and making such knowledge available.

Enabling and empowering: Developing human and institutional capacity to conserve and make effective and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity.

Supportive policies: Analyzing policies and fostering an environment that supports the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity.

Getting the word out: Raising awareness of the values of agricultural biodiversity and the importance of the conservation of genetic resources.