The Study and Sustainable Conservation of Varieties of Local Plants

The Study and Sustainable Conservation of Varieties of Local Plants

The overall objective of this project, which was completed in 2015, was the sustainable conservation of plant genetic resources in a​gricultural and natural ecosystems, and the reversal in the trend of their genetic erosion. 

The project specifically focused on a number of local landraces and varieties of cultivated plants and indigenous wild species which are under a high threat and at risk of disappearance. Being of traditional, agricultural and cultural importance, such plants need to be preserved as they form a part of our national identity. Moreover, the project contributed to enhance communication, education and public awareness on the valuable genetic resources of the Maltese Islands and their sustainable use. 

This project also complemented Malta’s international obligations in promoting the EU Biodiversity Strategy and achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by the year 2020. 

The project had a value of c. €2.6 million and was co-financed under the Rural Development Plan for Malta 2007 - 2013. Some of the activities of this project included:

 

·         Upgrading of the diagnostic and micro-propagation laboratories;

·         Establishment of a botanic garden ‘Ġnien il-Pjanti Maltin’;

·         Building of a visitors’ centre including a media centre and a conference hall;

·         Setting up of a new seed laboratory;

·         Sanitation of farmer’s varieties of citrus;

·         Creation of a database to establish an inventory of Maltese plant genetic resources.