Learning Resources for Genebank Professionals
April 21, 2026
New online courses and the Crop Trust Genebank Academy
The Crop Trust in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has launched three new online courses hosted on the FAO elearning Academy to support capacity development in plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA).
Designed for genebank professionals, researchers and policymakers, the courses focus on practical tools and global frameworks that strengthen the conservation and use of crop diversity.
Introduction to documenting plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
This course introduces the fundamentals of documenting PGRFA, including key data types, management systems, and standards such as MCPD and PDCI. It highlights how high-quality, well-structured data supports genebank operations, data sharing, and informed decision-making. Access the course here.
The Global Information System (GLIS)
This course explores the Global Information System (GLIS) and its legal basis under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It introduces digital object identifiers (DOIs), their registration and citation, and their role in improving traceability and data exchange for PGRFA. Access the course here.
Global Crop Conservation Strategies
This course provides an overview of how Global Crop Conservation Strategies are developed and applied. It covers crop coverage assessments, gap analysis, and approaches to identifying and addressing gaps in global collections. Access the course here.
The Genebank Academy
The three courses are part of the Genebank Academy recently launched by the Crop Trust to provide a central hub for online training in plant genetic resources conservation and use.
The Academy brings together courses developed by the Crop Trust and partner organizations, including FAO, CGIAR Genebanks, BGCI, the Millenium Seed Bank and others, covering topics from genebank fundamentals to data systems and conservation strategies. It is designed for both newcomers and experienced practitioners seeking to build or deepen their expertise. Launched in 2025 with support from the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development (BOLD) project funded by the Government of Norway, the Genebank Academy connects users to a growing ecosystem of online learning resources across platforms.
Together, these initiatives reflect the Crop Trust’s commitment to strengthening global capacity, with capacity building as a core pillar of its mission to support the conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity.