• maintain the SPGRC base collection for the SADC Member States at Chalimbana Research Station;
• develop and maintain the SPGRC Documentation and Information System (SDIS) to ensure the smooth running of the system at all NPGRCs;
• publish an annual report and a biannual SPGRC Network Newsletter;
• promote the establishment of field genebanks and in situ/on-farm conservation in the Member States;
• provide technical backstopping to NPGRCs on germplasm collection, multiplication, regeneration, characterisation and documentation;
• train staff at different levels;
• compile and publish various documents arising out of the Regional Crop Working Groups (RCWGs) activities.

SPGRC having been established through a 20-year Nordic-funded project that commenced in 1989, enormously benefitted from the support that ended in 2010 time after which SPGRC has mainly operated on funds provided by the SADC Member States. However, SPGRC has continued and strengthened relations with Bioversity International, FAO and the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT) who have in different magnitudes supported it in building capacity in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Likewise, CGIAR and other IARCs (like AVRDC) with strong SADC or African programmes on crops that also form important components of SPGRC’s collections and work have remained essential to work with in making the current and future accessions of SPGRC and the NPGRCs useful to the region. The NEPAD Southern African Network for Biosciences (SANBio) whose designated Regional Node for Plant Genetic Resources is at SPGRC has contributed in strengthening capacity in conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources through funding some activities and is expected to support it further in the next phase(s) of the programme.

• Five scientists from the SADC Member States who are specialists in their mandate species;
• Researchers from the SADC Regional Programmes, Projects and scientists from IARCs as required;
• Staff of SPGRC will provide the secretariat; and
• NGB scientists will provide the technical backstopping.

• Strategies;
• Priorities for plant species to be collected and conserved ex situ;
• Priorities for plant species and areas for in situ conservation;
• Guidelines for acceptance of material for inclusion in the collections;
• Standards for seed quality and quantity of samples to be stored in the collection;
• Methods and techniques for regeneration and multiplication of accessions in order to ensure genetic integrity; and
• Any other issues relevant to conservation and utilization of the species presented to the RCWGs by SPGRC or the Board.
• The Regional Crop Working Groups will meet at least once a year.

The National Plant Genetic Resources Committee (NPGRCom)

The National Plant Genetic Resources Committee for each country will have the following mandate:

1. Coordination and provision of policy guidance on national conservation and use of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA);
2. Facilitation and fostering strategic partnerships and mobilizing funds from National, Regional and International Cooperating Partners to support the conservation and use of genetic resources;
3. Development and serving as a forum for coordination and implementation of a national plant conservation programme, consisting of public education and outreach, research, conservation and restoration actions, traditional plant materials development coordination including local seed collection, database coordination and information exchange,;
4. Programme monitoring and evaluation of NPGRC activities and may periodically and where necessary, review Terms of References of the NPGRCom members;
5. The NPGRCom shall elect a chairperson from among its members for a one year term with eligibility for re-election. Chairperson of the NPGRCom shall represent the country at the annual and other SPGRC Board meetings;
6. The NPGRCom shall hold at least one regular meeting in a year. The time and place of the meeting shall be communicated to Members at least a month before;
7. A member department (agriculture-related) may designate one official (with an Alternate) to serve as its representative to the Committee, who will attend scheduled meetings. Each member department will inform the Committee, in writing, of the name and position of its representative and alternate, or of any changes of same;
8. Representatives of the SADC Executive Secretary (Director of FANR) and donor community, and the NPGRC Curator (acting as Committee Secretary), shall be ex-officio members of the Committee, with no voting privileges;
9. Constitute National Working Groups which will report regularly to the Committee may be formed or disbanded as needed, at the discretion of the Committee, consistent with the applicable requirements for conservation of PGRFA; and
10. The NPGRCom may appoint a Sub-Committee for any of the purposes of the Committee which in its opinion would be better regulated or managed by means of a Sub-Committee, and may delegate any of its functions to a Sub-Committee or to any officer or servant of the Committee, as it thinks fit.