Chitedze

The disappearance of certain plant species, varieties or land races, can be attributed to deforestation, population pressure and the introduction of new crop varieties. To prevent further loss of plant genetic resources, this centre was established in 1992 at the Chitedze Agricultural Research Station. Resources considered for conservation include crop and pasture plants and their wild relatives, forestry plants, flower plants, medicinal and endangered plant species.

Main activities

(i) documenting and updating plant genetic resources inventories.
(ii). evaluating, reviewing and recommending to government, and other organizations, preventive measures to be taken against erosion of plant genetic resources, and
(iii). formulating and executing plant genetic resources activities that are most relevant to Malawi's needs.

Broad areas of conservation

(i) seed multiplication and characterization for bean, guard and pearl millet,
(ii) maintenance of field genebanks for cassava and sweetpotato,
(iii) collection and conservation of indigenous vegetables, and
(iv) variety verification of sorghum.