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    • The e-learning series on data management for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) introduces essential concepts, tools, systems, and best practices for documenting and sharing PGRFA data.   

      Across four courses, you will explore the Global Information System (GLIS) on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, digital object identifiers (DOIs), the GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) genebank management system, with its origins in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), the Genesys portal, and global crop conservation strategies, including how diversity coverage assessments and gap analyses help guide conservation priorities. 

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      Introduction to documenting plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

      Plant genetic resources are most valuable when supported by accurate, complete, and accessible data. In this e-learning course, you will learn the principles and best practices of documenting plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The course explores the role of accurate, complete and well-structured data in enhancing the conservation, management and use of germplasm held in genebanks. You will be introduced to data standards, documentation systems and global information platforms that support informed decision-making and contribute to global goals, including food security.

      40 m

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      The Global Information System

      This e-learning course aims to introduce the Global Information System (GLIS) on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) and explore the legal foundations of GLIS under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Moreover, this course aims to unpack the basic features and advantages of using digital object identifiers (DOIs) and their application to PGRFA in the context of GLIS.

      Finally, this course aims to inform participants about key value-added services offered by the DOI system that benefit actors involved in the conservation, development and research of PGRFA.

      1 h 10 m

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      Data management for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

      This course introduces two complementary systems that support the management of ex situ data on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA): GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) and Genesys.

      GGCE is an open-source genebank management system with its origins in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). It helps genebanks capture, organize, and use PGRFA data to support consistent workflows and informed decision-making. Genesys is a global portal that publishes accession-level data from participating institutions, enabling users to search, analyse, and request germplasm. The course helps learners develop a practical understanding of how both systems are used and how data quality principles and standards support effective data sharing and use.

      1 h 35 m

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      Global crop conservation strategies

      This e-learning course introduces you to global crop conservation strategies, explaining how they are developed and how they support the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). It also covers crop coverage assessments, the identification of gaps in global collections, the data and methods used for gap analysis, and how to apply the results to strengthen conservation efforts.

      1 h 40 m

    • Depending on the interest of learners, the self-paced course series can be completed as a whole, or as individual courses, taken independently.

      Throughout the course series, references are made to specific courses or lessons where certain subjects are covered more extensively. Each course is complemented by exercises and links to additional material, instructive videos and websites for further reading.

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