| Bioversity International | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Improving lives through biodiversity research |
| Formation | 1974 |
| Type | Non-profit research and training center |
| Legal status | International organisation |
| Purpose/focus | Research |
| Headquarters | Maccarese, Rome |
| Location | Italy |
| Region served | 16 offices worldwide |
| Director General | Dr Emile Frison |
| Parent organization | Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research |
| Staff | 300 |
| Website | www.bioversityinternational.org |
Bioversity International is one of 15 agricultural research centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is dedicated to the conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity to improve the livelihoods of poor people. The organization is highly decentralized, with about 320 staff working from 16 offices worldwide. Headquarters is in Maccarese, outside Rome, Italy, with regional offices located in Americas, Asia, Pacific & Oceania, Central & West & North Africa, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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The organization’s various name changes reflect a change in focus. At first it worked on the emergency collection of plant genetic resources. Then came a phase of promoting the conservation of plant genetic resources through use. Now, Bioversity says it is researching agricultural biodiversity to improve the lives of poor people. It has also expanded its focus from strictly plant genetic resources to include animals, microbes and other aspects of agricultural biodiversity.
The organization takes the view that the diversity of plants and animals offers opportunities not only through breeding but also by delivering many other benefits. Some are direct, such as the better nutrition and greater sustainability that come with locally adapted crops. Others are indirect, like the ecosystem services delivered by healthy populations of pollinators, biological control agents, and soil microbes. Bioversity works with partners to provide evidence of the wider benefits of agricultural biodiversity for human well-being and to explore what types of diversity can make the greatest contribution and in what ways this can be done.
Bioversity is governed by a Board of Trustees, including one Trustee nominated by the host country (Italy) and one nominated by FAO. The Board also appoints the Director General who manages the operation of the various programs.
Bioversity does not have any laboratories or field sites of its own. Instead, it works very closely with a wide range of partners to undertake research.