Organization : Department of Agricultural Research
Facility : Request For Genetic Material
Country : Botswana
Website : https://www.gov.bw/crop-production/request-genetic-material
How To Request For Genetic Material in Botswana?
The National Plant Genetic Resources Unit in the Department of Agricultural Research of the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security collects and conserves seeds of cultivated crops, their wild relatives and other useful wild plant species. The conserved plant genetic resources provide raw material (traits) for present and future use to improve the quality and productivity of crops.
This also serves as a backup for any incidental loss of species due to wild fires, indiscriminate harvesting and harsh environmental conditions. Researchers, famers and academics or anyone interested in acquiring conserved genetic material can make a request for genetic material.
Steps:
** Submit letter addressed to the Gene Bank Manager of the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC) of the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security making a request for genetic material.
** If the material is available, a sample is prepared, and the applicant is contacted to collect the sample from NPGRC.
Gene Bank Manager
National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC)
Department of Agricultural Research
Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security
Content Farm, Sebele
Private Bag 0033
Gaborone
Botswana
Call Centre: 17755
Email : moa17755 [at] gov.bw
Who Can Give Request For Genetic Material in Botswana?
** Any person interested in acquiring conserved genetic material
** Researchers and academics
** Farmers
Documents Required For Genetic Material Request
** A certified copy of National Identity Card (Omang) for citizens.
** A certified copy of a Passport.
Note:
1. This does not prevent the researchers involved in the collaboration from publishing their research findings on the genetic material provided the local Institute consents.
2. This does note prevent the recipient form releasing or reproducing the material for purposes of making it directly available to farmers or consumers for breeding, provided that the other conditions set out in the MTA are complied with. The material is not to be used for commercial purposes and if this happens, a new benefit sharing agreement has to be entered into.
3. Complete in triplicate: Each original copy with original signatures to: 1. Local Institute 2. Collaborating Institute 3. Department of Agricultural Research
When any of the two parties becomes aware of a possible violation of their MTAs by a recipient of germplasm, the Institute will henceforth voluntarily undertake the following actions in response to the perceived violation.
1. The Institute will request an explanation. Upon failure to receive a satisfactory and timely explanation from the germplasm recipient, the Local Institute and the Collaborating Institute will notify the recipient that a violation is thought to have occurred and request that the recipient cease and desist in its efforts to obtain intellectual property rights over the material, or renounce such right or ownership if they have already been granted or claimed.
2. The Local Institute and the Collaborating Institute will notify proper regulatory body in the relevant country of the possibility that the MTA has been violated, and bring to their attention the fact that the grant of intellectual property right may, therefore, have been inappropriate in the case of the material obtained from the Local Institute.
3. The Local Institute and the Collaborating Institute will notify any competent International Legal Authority, through its relevant organs, of the possible violation of the MTA under the Agreement with the Collaborating Institute.