ABSTRACT
The recognition of in situ conservation as a strategy by the Convention on Biological Diversity inspired a number of global programmes. In 1995, Bioversity International (then known as the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute), together with partners in nine countries – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, Turkey and Vietnam – began to implement a global programme entitled ‘Strengthening the scientific basis of in situ conservation of agrobiodiversity’. The programme aimed to contribute to achieving a better understanding on where, when and how in situ conservation of agrobiodiversity can be successful; what factors influence in situ conservation; and how this information both directly and indirectly adds value to diversity in terms of social, economic, environmental and genetic benefits (Sthapit and Jarvis, 2005).
