Indonesia became the first developing country to make a financial contribution to the Benefit-Sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR).
14 March 2011: Indonesia became the first developing country to make a financial contribution to the Benefit-Sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR). The Fund, established in 2008 in response to the erosion of crop biodiversity, supports farmers to conserve and adapt traditional seeds.
ITPGR Secretary Shakeel Bhatti said the ITPGR would “invest this substantial investment judiciously to provide substantive results that benefit smallholder farmers.” Indonesia’s Minister of Agriculture Ir. Suswono said he hopes the country’s contribution inspires other countries to sustain the fund.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) also announced interest in partnering with or contributing to the Benefit-Sharing Fund. [ITPGR Press Release]