DIRECTORATE OF GENETIC RESOURCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Until the end of 1986, the conservation of plant genetic resources at the National Agricultural Research and Promotion Institute (INIPA) was an activity that was included in the National Research Programs – NIPs at that date (Rice, Maize, Grain Legumes, Andean Crops, Potato, Cereals, Tropical Crops and Livestock).

On November 12, 1986, INIPA, through Resolution No. 576-86-INIPA, created the National Genetic Resources Service – SENARGEN, as part of the structure of the Agricultural Promotion Division, and responsible for providing support to the National Programs by product, the Agricultural Research and Promotion Centers – CIPA’s, the Agricultural Experimental Stations-EEA’s and the producers in those aspects related to genetic resources. With the creation of SENARGEN, the role of conservation of genetic resources is organically incorporated into INIPA.

In 1987, the restructuring of INIPA gave way to the National Institute of Agrarian and Agroindustrial Research (INIAA), and SENARGEN became the National Program of Genetic Resources – PRONARGEN, whose objectives were to collect, introduce, preserve, characterize, evaluate and document the genetic resources of current and potential importance of Peru, with emphasis on native species. In 1989, PRONARGEN changed its name to the PROIRGEN-Genetic Resources Research Program, which would support and coordinate work on genetic resources at home and abroad, to establish national and international collaborations.

In 1993, a new restructuring of the Institution took place, changing its name to the National Institute of Agricultural Research – INIA, in turn PROIRGEN changed to National Program of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology – PRONARGEB with the mission to protect and conserve biological diversity through the collection, characterization, evaluation and documentation related to the genetic resources of domestic animals and related wild species, to collect the germplasm representative of the genetic diversity of the species in danger of genetic erosion, to contribute to control the genetic erosion of the species, to characterize genetically the germplasm of species and varieties of cultivated plants, species and races. At the end of 1999, PRONARGEB had 127 species and 12,395 accessions conserved. In 2001, the INIA Manual of Functions (MOF) was approved and the PRONARGEB became the National Research Program on Genetic Resources and Biotechnology – PRONIRGEB, which continues the activities of conservation, characterization, evaluation and documentation of germplasm, and implementation of software for the Generation of a database mainly for Andean tubers. PRONIRGEB changes its name to the National Directorate for Research in Genetic Resources and Biotechnology – DNIRGB (2003), continuing with the management of the Germplasm Bank, new collections of germplasm, as well as the execution of in situ conservation and Genetic Information Systems (GIS) projects. Between 2004-2006, the Germplasm Bank continued its efforts, the DNIRGB returned to its previous name PRONIRGEB and in 2005 the Subdivision of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology – SUDIRGEB, whose functions included ensuring conservation, preservation and management of the genetic resources of cultivated plants, medicinal or nutraceutical plants, domestic animals and wild relatives under ex situ conditions – in situ, at the national level to promote their rational and sustainable.

Currently, the National Institute of Agricultural Innovation has one of its General Directorates, the Directorate of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology which has the Subdivision of Genetic Resources and the Subdivision of Biotechnology, and presents 44 collections in it’s Germoplasm Bank which is represented by 256 species and 15,102 accessions.