The Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research seeks to improve the maintenance and use of agrobiodiversity by synthesizing and sharing existing knowledge, identifying areas where research is needed and stimulating the development of new and innovative research partnerships to address knowledge gaps.

We now have a website running http://www.agrobiodiversityplatform.org

where you will find information on the Platform's objectives, guiding principles, and governance. It also will have interactive features in the near future.

If you are interested, we will offer you the opportunity to register and become a member of the Platform, provide information on yourself and your area(s) of expertise.

By registering you will show your support for the Platform and its work. We hope that, with your help, the Platform and its website can become an effective way of accessing information, developing new ideas and building new partnerships to strengthen the maintenance and use of agrobiodiversity.

From the Platform's home page you can sign up to receive newsletters which we plan to deliver to your inbox on a regular base describing the activities in which the Platform and its members are involved. We are eager to hear any news, information and links that you would like us to include, just let us know!

Current activities and plans

With support from the Christensen Fund, the Platform is undertaking a project on "The use of agrobiodiversity to manage climate change - charting experiences from rural communities and indigenous peoples"

More information can be found at www.agrobiodiversityplatform.org/climate_change/

We have set up a blog and we are compiling information through a social book marking system which you are welcome to consult. You are also very welcome to contribute and increase the shared knowledge base we are building.

Future newsletters will give more information on the progress of this project.

Over the next few months we plan to hold 2 electronic discussions. The first of these will be on agrobiodiversity and climate change and will be particularly concerned with helping to identify major knowledge gaps and research needs in respect of the use of agrobiodiversity as part of climate change adaptation strategies. More later.

The Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research will depend for its success on the active participation and involvement of the many different individuals and groups who work with different aspects of agrobiodiversity. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact the Secretariat (see here for contacts) with your suggestions, interests and ideas.