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Collaborative Activities Collaborative activities involving SPGRC are mainly in research activities and capacity building. Collaborations with Bioversity International have been consistent since the inception of the centre while collaborations with others including ICRISAT, IRRI, ODI, and AVRDC-RCA have been on an ad hoc basis. These collaborative partnerships have added to the visibility of SPGRC and the region in the world with regard to genetic resources conservation. Recently, collaboration with The Trust has given SPGRC an opportunity to review in detail specific needs such as seed drying and regeneration of threatened germplasm. Through these activities stronger relations will be possible between the Trust, SPGRC and a number of NPGRCs leading to a greater possibility of getting long term support from The Trust.

In addition, SPGRC have collaborated with other genetic resources networks such as the Eastern Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network (EAPGREN), and European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR), and also other global bodies especially The Treaty Secretariat, on scientific and technical matters. Through these collaborations SPGRC is also visible among leading institutions that contribute to the development of global dialogue access and sharing of benefits arising from the conservation and use of genetic resources. Southern African Network for Biosciences (SANBio) which aims to build and strengthen capacity in biosciences through networking, promotion of scientific excellence and harnessing of the indigenous knowledge for sustainable utilization of natural resources and wealth generation of the people of Southern Africa is currently collaborating with SPGRC to build capacity in the use of biotechnology for conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Collaboration activities with SANBio will attract other networks in the region to base their activities at SPGRC and enhance SPGRC in its bid to be a centre of excellence in genetic resources issues.