Blogging for Networking

In this issue of ICT Update magazine (Issue 25), Luigi Guarino explains why the Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) launched a weblog to disseminate news and information about plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The basis for this network is to promote regional collaboration in the conservation of the large number of varieties of crops present in the Pacific, often referred to as PGR, which Guarino describes as the "foundation of sustainable agriculture." The need for the network, according to Guarino, is based on the fact that the Pacific is a region made up of small, isolated countries that need to share resources in order to address their common issues - which makes sharing information and networking crucially important.

According to Guarino, PAPGREN was initially set up as an informal, ad hoc email service to alert network partners and other stakeholders about news and events. After this came a weblog entitled "PGR News from the Pacific."

The PGR weblog, according to Guarino, offers an assortment of information. Postings include: 1) an announcement of the Pacific Pest List Database; 2) a newspaper report on the possible introduction of genetically modified taro in Hawaii; and 3) a review of a recent book on sustainable land management with examples from the Pacific.

Click here for the PAPGREN weblog.

Click here for the full article published in ICT Update magazine, a publication of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA).