Seeds%20for%20Life%20Project%20

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Seeds for Life Project KenyaWilliam Omondi,
National Co-ordinator, Tree seed Programme Kenya
Forestry Research Institute williamomondi2004_at_ya
hoo.co.uk

• Purpose
• Enhance conservation and sustainable utilisation
  of Kenyas plant genetic resources
• Activities
• Collection of seed and herbarium specimen
• Seed storage in Kenya and duplicates in RBG, Kew
• Seed studies to backstop conservation
• Build capacity of local communities and
  Institutions to conserve PGR

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Destruction of natural forests
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Degradation of drylands
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Endangered species e.g. Osiris lanceolata
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Seed collections based on best practice principles
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Seed studies to backstop conservation
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Material Transfer Agreement KENYA and Royal
Botanical Gardens, Kew

• Ensures Kenya Governments consent to the transfer
  of seeds to the RBG, Kew Seed Bank for safe
  keeping and long-time conservation
• Duplicates in Kew exclusively for long term
  storage
• Research limited to supporting conservation
• Kenya retains ownership of the duplicate at Kew
• Any other research on the material by Kew can
  only be undertaken through a separate agreement

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Emerging issues....

• Climate change, habitat degradation and species
  loss
• Conflict between international conventions and
  National regulations
• Definition of access in relation to ex-situ
  conservation and seed duplication
• Total disclosure of origin and some aspects of IK
• Modalities of costing, negotiating and sharing
  the benefits ...the role of all stakeholders