Conservation and Risk Management of Plant Genetic Resources in Thailand

Abstract

There are many relevant organizations that are active in the conservation of plant genetic resources in Thailand, namely organizations which are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, organizations which are under the responsibility the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and also some academic institutions. The Department of Agriculture has played significant roles as a key national organization which is responsible for agricultural genetic resource conservation, whereas the Royal Forest Department is accountable for forest genetic resource conservation. Examples of universities which are carrying out conservation of plant genetic resources are Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University, Maejo University, and Prince of Songkla University. To maintain good management of plant genetic resource conservation, it is necessary for all sectors to analyze and handle the potential risks which both directly and indirectly affect conservation. This report describes potential risks to plant genetic resource conservation: 1) difficulties of management that are the result of changing policies, insufficient budgets, and retirement of genebank experts; 2) the loss of plant genetic resources that are the result of natural disasters, biotic and abiotic stresses, genetic erosion, and lack of awareness of genetic resource values; and 3) regeneration of mixed genotypes in the same accession which can lead to the loss of minority ones. In order to minimize these risks, some management practices should be carried out; for instance, duplicate collection of both on-farm conservation and genebanks can save genetic resources from unexpected incidents like natural disasters. Some systems should be created to prevent the consequences of changing policies on plant genetic resource conservation. Moreover, building public awareness of the value of genetic resources should be done by promoting their utilization. Finally, human resource development is urgently needed. The staff should attend training sessions and workshops to enhance their expertise and knowledge. Like other countries, Thailand tries to manage and minimize the risks with all its capability even though some factors are out of our direct control.