PROJECT ON THE STUDY AND SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION OF VARIETIES OF LOCAL
PLANTS
The project was implemented by the Plant Health Directorate under the auspices of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change. The overall scope of this project was the sustainable conservation of plant genetic resources in agricultural and natural ecosystems, as well as the reversal of their genetic erosion. With a budget of €2.6 million, the project was co-financed under the Rural Development Plan for Malta 2007-2013, through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
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 being lost. Furthermore, such plants being of traditional, agricultural and cultural importance need to be conserved as they form part of our national identity. Moreover, the project effectively enhanced communication, education and public awareness on the valuable genetic resources of the Maltese Islands together with their sustainable use. This project complemented Malta’s international obligations in promoting the EU Biodiversity Strategy thereby achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by the year 2020.
With the assistance of Nature Trust Malta, a botanical garden for the ex-situ conservation of a selected number of plants of genetic importance was established in Attard. ‘Ġnien il-Pjanti Maltin’, which endeavours in being a showcase of local plant genetic resources, is currently not open to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Visitor’s Centre within the Botanical Garden houses a conference hall and media room with educational and training facilities intended to serve for promoting and strengthening public awareness of the importance of plant genetic resources in fulfilment of priority 18 of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
A seed laboratory was set up as part of the same EAFRD funded project in which testing for seed purity can be performed. As part of this project the existing Diagnostic and Control Laboratories within the Plant Protection Directorate have also been upgraded, including the Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Entomology and Nematology Labs. These labs serve for the diagnosis of different plant pests harmful to local plants.
As part of the same EAFRD project the plant tissue culture laboratory was upgraded with a state-of-the art temperature-controlled growth room and a thermotherapy room for the multiplication and sanitation of plant propagation material. Along the same vein of tissue culture work, the project comprised the clonal selection and sanitation of local varieties of citrus species for conservation and characterisation purposes.
EAFRD Project Leaflets EN | MT
EAFRD Project Posters EN | MT
EAFRD
Project Gallery: Official Opening (20/05/2016)