GENETIC RESOURCES OF (Country Report)

Paramaribo June 2012

COMPILED BY: Patricia Y. Milton Agronomist / Seed Technologist Suriname E-mail: [email protected] LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ABS Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek ACT The Amazon Cooperation Treaty ACT Suriname Amazon Conservation Team Suriname ADEK Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname ADRON Anne van Dijk Rijst Onderzoeks Centrum Nickerie - The Anne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie ATM Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment AVRDC Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre BBS National Herbarium Suriname BGVS Bureau Geneesmiddelen Voorziening Suriname - Suriname's national pharmaceutical company CARDI Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute CARICOM Caribbean Community CATIE Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CELOS The Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname CEVACU Campo Experimental Valle de Culiacán CI Conservation International CIAT Centro International de Agricultura Tropical CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research CIMMYT The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre CIRAD/FLHOR Cirad - Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement Flhor - Département des productions fruitières horticoles CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CMO Center for Environmental Research CSNR Central Suriname Nature Reserve DMR Diary of Materials Received EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESA Office Office of Environmental and Social Assessment at NIMOS EMBRAPA Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria - The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations FFS Farmer Field School GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Fund GIS Geographic Information Systems GNP Gross National Product GOS Government of Suriname ICBG International Cooperative Biodiversity Group's ICRAF The International Council for Research in Agroforestry ICRISAT International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics IGSR Institute for Graduate Studies IICA The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture INGER International Network for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice IPGRI The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute IPM Integrated Pest Management IPPC International Plant Protection Convention IRRI International Rice Research Institute ITPGRFA The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture ITTO International Timber Organization

1 IUD Division of Import, Export and Foreign Currency Control from the Ministry of Trade and Industry LBB The Suriname Forest Service LMO Living Modified Organism LON Agricultural Research Nickerie MAAHF Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries MC Moisture Content MNR Ministry of Natural Resources NBSC National Biodiversity Steering Committee NCD Nature Conservation Division of the Suriname Forest Service NGO Non Governmental Organization NHS National Herbarium Suriname NIMOS National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname NISM National Information Sharing Mechanism on PGR NWFP Non-Wood Forest Products NZCS National Zoological Collection Suriname PGR Plant Genetic Resources PPO Praktijk Onderzoek Plant en Omgeving PROCITROPICOS Programa Cooperativo de Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnología para los Trópicos Suramericanos - The Cooperative Program on Research and Technology Transfer for the South American Tropics SBB Foundation for Forest Management SBBS Stichting Behoud Bananen Sector SCF Suriname Conservation Foundation SML Stichting ter bevordering van de Machinale Landbouw (Foundation for Mechanized Agriculture) SNRI Foundation National Rice Research Institute STINAPA Foundation Nature Parks STIPRIS Foundation Experimental Gardens in Suriname TOR Terms of Reference TREC Training Resources for the Environmental Community UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme USA United States of America USDA/TARS United States Department of Agriculture - Tropical Agriculture Research Station UWI University of the West Indies WFS World Food Summit

2 Acknowledgement

This amended report is one of the outcomes of the project "PR 45708 - The establishment of a National Information Sharing Mechanism on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“Global Plan of Action”) and the preparation of a Country Report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (“Country Report”).

For the execution of the project, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAHF), a project coordination team was formed comprising of: ­ the PGRFA Focal point, Mrs. Patricia Milton; ­ the head of the Division Experimental Gardens of the Research Department, Mrs. Sunita Bipat; ­ the head of the Division Fruit Crops of the Research Department, Mrs. Soesila Ramautar; and ­ the head of the Seed Unit of the Research Department, Mrs. Esther Doelahasori. We express our appreciation to the organizations/professionals in Suriname that provided information on plant genetic resources for updating the report. These organizations include: - The Anne van Dijk Rice Research Centre (ADRON) of the Foundation National Rice Research Institute (SNRI) - The Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS) - National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) - The National Herbarium Suriname (BBS) - The Amazon Conservation Team Suriname (ACT Suriname) - The Ministry of Environment, Technological Development and Labour for granting permission to use information from a survey regarding aspects related to the “Biosafety Framework”, carried out on behalf of this ministry. - Mrs. Soesila Ramautar, Head of the Fruit Crops Division, for providing updated information on the status of ex-situ germplasm collections at the experimental gardens

We would also like to express sincere appreciation to Mr. Stefano Diulgheroff, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for his extensive contributions during the execution of the project.

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report portrays an updated and detailed assessment on the status of conservation, sustainable use and development of plant genetic resources (PGR) for food and agriculture and forestry in Suriname. It reflects, among other, the capacity needs and constraints related to the current contribution of plant genetic resources to food and agriculture and forestry in Suriname.

Important developments have occurred since the last report was produced and submitted to FAO in 2009. Even though a specific national policy for the management of plant genetic resources in Suriname is a shortcoming, progress in this direction has been made through the establishment, in December 2011, of a National Committee for the coordination of the activities on plant genetic resources. This has been one of the positive results of the process that also led to the establishment of the National Information Sharing Mechanism on plant genetic resources. Its portal and database1 are essential supporting tools for the Committee to operate.

For agricultural and horticultural crops there is need for coordinated national programmes in Suriname with focus on well-organized plant genetic resources activities. For these crops elements related to plant genetic resources exist, but linkage between these elements is lacking. Different organizations conduct conservation activities to a certain extent. However, these activities do not occur according to standardized protocols and procedures. With regards to forestry species, the Government of Suriname has a long-standing commitment to nature preservation and biodiversity conservation. Forest genetic resources comprise timber species, medicinal and non-timber forest species. The Suriname Forest Service gives high priority to conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Suriname's strong tradition of nature conservation with regard to forestry crops, its protection of biodiversity and its preservation of primary tropical forest is indicated by a nature conservation system comprising 13 protected areas, ranging from 100 to 1,600,000 ha, covering about 12% of the total land surface. These protected areas encompass a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical forests to coastal formations, making Suriname's nature conservation system one of the most representative in South America.

Several organizations are either responsible for or managing genetic resources: The Research Department of The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAHF), the Suriname Forestry Service, two national institutes of the Anton de Kom (ADEK) University of Suriname (the National Herbarium Suriname and the National Zoological Collection Suriname), Conservation International, Suriname Conservation Foundation, the Amazon Conservation Team and The Anne van Dijk Rice Research Centre (ADRON).

Suriname’s knowledge on genetic resources is best known for the coastal plain and savannah belt. Ex situ collections are scarce and the situation regarding the conservation of agricultural crops is unsatisfactory. Conservation is constrained by the lack of financial means and human capacity.

Except for rice, seed production practices are inadequate, Not well regulated import of new varieties, lack of proper testing by the MAAHF or other research institutes (except

1 www.pgrfa.org/gpa/sur

4 for ADRON), inadequate storage facilities, and no conservation programmes may result in loss of valuable genetic resources.

Regulations regarding management of genetic resources can be found dispersed in several laws and other parts of legislation. Suriname has not yet passed specific legislation regulating Farmers’ Rights with respect to sharing of benefits deriving from PGR.

There are restrictions to entry of plant genetic resources. The Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries is the regulatory body that ensures the safety of planting materials coming into Suriname. Prior to the import of plants, plant parts, or seed approval is needed from the Plant Quarantine Division of the MAAHF.

The threat for introduction of alien invasive species is great, especially in the interior, where hardly anything is known about our genetic resources, and the fact that there is poor control at the borders (rivers, the southern border). The quarantine service at airports (Zanderij, Zorg en Hoop) and the harbour needs to be upgraded. Knowledge on impacts of alien invasive species is inadequate, except for the impact of pests on agricultural crops.

Much information regarding Suriname’s biodiversity exists outside the country (The , USA). Over the past years the situation has improved somewhat, since many expeditions and surveys are now conducted in close cooperation with local institutes (University of Suriname, MNR, MAAHF).

Databases scarcely exist for genetic resources. NZCS and NHS have a relatively well organized database. Most of the ministries do not have a database, or it is not updated. The Rice Research Station, ADRON, has a database system for rice lines and varieties.

Suriname is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD (1992), and consequently benefits from the international agreement with respect to access of genetic resources and sharing of benefits arising out of their use. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), which became operational in 2004 and counts with the participation of more than 125 countries worldwide, is in harmony with the CBD. Under the Treaty a Multilateral System for access and benefit-sharing regarding plant genetic material for food and agriculture has been established together with a funding strategy. The Nagoya Protocol adopted in 2010 recognizes the ITPGRFA and its Multilateral System as the international instrument addressing access and benefit sharing for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Suriname still needs to ratify the ITPGRFA and become a contracting party eligible to benefit from its provisions and funding strategy.

In brief it may be stated that in Suriname systematic germplasm management has a number of shortcomings. Aspects that are important for adequate germplasm management and need attention include:  availability of reliable funding;  good public awareness about the importance of germplasm management;  adequate policy to ensure that PGR becomes a fundamental part of agricultural programmes;  sufficient capacity in germplasm management;

5  adequate facilities;  a well coordinated national and regional system. All the listed aspects for adequate germplasm management are limited in Suriname.

The following 16 points summarize urgent priorities:  A clear policy with regard to genetic resources needs to be developed;  A national and regional inventory of plant genetic resources is required. A thorough inventory needs to be made of the plant genetic resources occurring in the interior of Suriname. Useful results of the inventories and of germplasm research should be communicated to farmers in order to increase sustainable use of biodiversity;  Capacity to explore the biodiversity (in the less accessible southern part or interior of the country) needs to be strengthened;  Proper conservation programmes should be developed, as ex situ and on-farm conservation of agricultural crops and in situ conservation of crop wild relatives need improvement;  Adequate documentation and dissemination efforts of PGR information needs to be strengthened;  There is need to ensure sustainability to the recently established National Committee on PGR management for it to be able to ensure adequate coordination of the management of genetic resources, and to its tool, the National Information Sharing Mechanism;  Training courses to qualify scientists and researchers in the area of PGR management are essential;  Crop improvement programmes in partnership with regional and international institutions and quality seed production programmes leading to the availability of adapted varieties with specific, desired characteristics are necessary;  Adequate storage facilities need to be established;  Exchange of information related to plant genetic resources between national and regional institutes needs to be improved;  In order to prevent loss of PGR (genetic erosion) it is necessary to create awareness on their importance, promote their use and monitor threats for PGR;  Measures should be taken to protect endangered plant species by establishing additional nature reserves and to secure threatened germplasm under ex situ conservation facilities within and outside the country. This to reduce the risk of loss of germplasm in case, by accident, collections in one gene bank are lost;  Institutional strengthening of the Plant Quarantine Division of the MAAHF is an essential requirement;  Sufficient funds for adequate PGR management, capacity building and improving facilities should be made available;  Legislation on Intellectual Property Rights should be developed and enforced.

Maintaining or improving access to Plant Genetic Resources is important as it contributes to food security and poverty alleviation, and to the conservation of biodiversity and the environmental stability.

6 1. INTRODUCTION TO SURINAME AND THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF SURINAME

1.1. Geography

Map of Suriname (Source: Bosatlas)

The Republic of Suriname is situated on the northern coast of South America, between 2O and 6O North Latitude and between 54O and 58O West Longitude. In the East it is bordered by French Guyana, in the West by Guyana, in the South by Brazil and in the North by the Atlantic Ocean, The total area is 163,265 square kilometres (63,064 square miles). The country has many rivers and some mountains (highest point 1280 meters). The larger part of the country consists of uncultivated rain forest. Suriname is divided into ten districts. The capital of Suriname, Paramaribo, is situated about 20 km south of the coast at the west bank of the .

1.2. General Information about Suriname

The total population amounts to 531,000 (ABS, 2010). Over 265,000 inhabitants live in Paramaribo. The population of Suriname consists of several ethnic groups such as: Afro- Surinamese 40%, Indians 38 %, Javanese 15%, Amer-Indians 3%, Chinese 2% and others 2%.

The native inhabitants, the Amer-Indians, were driven out of the coastal area during the period of colonisation. They populate the interior part of the country as do the descendants from runaway negro slaves, the Maroons. The major part of the Surinamese population, about 87%, is concentrated in the coastal area (about 50% residing in the capital, Paramaribo). About 13% of the population lives in the interior in villages along the rivers and comprises mainly Maroons and Amer-Indians.

Large areas of biological diverse, tropical rain forest with some areas of savannah cover Suriname, formerly known as Dutch Guyana. The official language is Dutch, but many other languages are also spoken.

7 Suriname can rely on a solid basis for sustainable social-economic development. The relatively low demographic pressure, the availability of several natural resources and the potential of fertile land and fresh water provide a solid foundation for the economic development of the country. Besides this there is a reasonable health care system, adequate educational possibilities, reasonable infrastructure and a relatively well educated population.

For decades the pillars of the Surinamese economy has been the mining of bauxite and the production of aluminum, and the production of agricultural crops such as rice, bananas, vegetables and fruits.

About 8% of the labour force is employed in the agricultural sector, 10% in industry and mining, and 10% in trade. Of the labour force 38% works for the Government.

The northern coastal plain is farmed, mined and logged, and the area along most rivers is heavily used for subsistence agriculture in the interior.

The backbone of Suriname's economy is the export of alumina and small amounts of aluminum produced from bauxite mined in the country, gold and oil. In 1999, the aluminum smelter was closed. However, alumina exports accounted for 72% of Suriname's estimated export earnings of $496.6 million in 2001. Suriname's bauxite deposits have been among the world’s richest.

Suriname, a member of CARICOM, has the following natural resources: timber, hydro- electric potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, gold, iron ores and small amounts of nickel, copper and platinum. The most important export products are:  Aluminum, gold, unrefined petroleum and crude oil;  Rice;  Bananas, other fruits and vegetables;  Shrimp, fish and fish products;  Timber and timber products.

Since 2003 the economy is back on track in terms of development; the inflation rate has declined from 3 - 2 digit rates in the ‘90s and first years of the new millennium, consequently the exchange rate has stabilised and the perspectives for further growth of the economy are promising in view of the strong international demand for raw materials. Some investments in large-scale projects, that have been in the pipeline for quite a while, commenced in 2003 (expansion of alumna production, gold mining (Cambior), investments in expansion of the petrol industry, bauxite exploration in West Suriname). This inclines a possible growth of the economy.

1.3. Climate and Geomorphologic land division

Suriname has a tropical climate. The average temperature is 27 0C with daily deviations between 23 0C and 33 0C. The average annual rainfall in Paramaribo is about 2200 mm. In the entire country the rainfall varies from less than 1750 mm to over 3000 mm. In Suriname four seasons can be distinguished viz.:  The main rainy season - from April until August  The main dry season - from September until November  Small rainy season - from December until January  Small dry season - from February until March

8 The rivers of the country flow from the south to the north and two of the biggest rivers form the border; in the west the Corantijn river and in the east the Marowijne river. The ecological diversity of the country is not formed by the climate, but more by the geomorphological differences, for which 4 areas can be distinguished:

1. The young coastal plain – Demerara formation The distance across the east of this area is 8 km and across the west 50 km and is situated between 0 and 4 degrees above sea level. It consists of swampy soil, deposited by the sea. Suriname has a coastal line with a length of about 350 km that consists of large mud banks with a few small strokes of sand beaches. The coast line is not stable. This because of the rapid deposit of clay by the sea, forming land and destroying land. The mud derives from the Amazon River and is deposited by the Guyana stream. Sand and shells are deposited from the bottom of the sea. The brackish water area is covered with Mangrove.

2. The old coastal plain – Coropina formation This area lies between 4 – 11 m above sea level and covers a width of 20 – 70 km. It consists of swampy soil and sand ridges of sea and river origin. This area is covered with different types of swamps and grass; swamp forests, dry land forests and large areas with swampy turf swamps.

3. The savanna belt – Zanderij formation This area covers a acreage of about 12,000 square km and lies about 10 m above sea level. The coarse bleached and unbleached sandy soils vary with regard to clay content and are of poor structure and quality. The area is covered with xerofytic and mesofytic dry land, swamp forest vegetation, dry till swampy grass and brush savannas.

4. The Interior The interior comprises 80 – 85% of the total land area of Suriname. It consists of hills, mountains and rock formations. The area is covered with primary, tropical rain forest. Suriname is part of the Amazon Province. The Amazon Province is sub-divided in 15 districts; one of them is the Guyana district of which the Suriname forest represents a part.

1.4. Brief description of the agricultural sector of Suriname

Suriname constitutes an area of 16.4 million ha of land, 1.5 million ha of these is considered suitable for agricultural purposes and approximately 120,000 ha is currently being utilised. The agricultural potential of the interior is about 400,000 ha. Agricultural activities are concentrated in the coastal plain.

Agriculture is an important sector of the . Within the agricultural sector rice and bananas are the main commodities, followed by vegetables and fruits. The contribution of the agricultural sector over the period 1990 - 1995 to the GDP was about 9%, to employment 12%, and to foreign exchange earnings 17.5%.

The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP over the last eight (8) years was about 7%. In spite of the fact that large-scale agriculture has declined, the contribution of agriculture to foreign exchange earnings is still about 15%. During the past decennium there has been a downward trend in both contribution to the in GDP and foreign

9 currency income. In the Agricultural Sector Plan of Suriname (March 2004) it is stressed that the agricultural sector is the only renewable sector in the economy and that the current raw materials like bauxite, that are currently important foreign exchange earners, will be exhausted some day.

The agricultural sector consists of about 10,000 – 12,000 smallholders, of which 85% live in the coastal area, where modern and market oriented production technologies for rice and bananas are practised. The remaining 15% farmers (Amerindians and Maroons) live in the interior, where subsistence farming is carried out.

Rice is the most important staple food. Rice constitutes the basic component in the diets of . This commodity is an important export crop and foreign exchange earner. Rice production is an activity of medium and large scale farmers using modern and market oriented production techniques.

The current situation in the rice sector of Suriname can be summarized as follows:  High soil tillage cost (25%)  Inadequate seed supply system  Improper Irrigation and Drainage  Inadequate pesticide use  Inefficiencies in processing  Inefficiencies in export facilities  Poor/inadequate organization  Inadequate marketing.

Rice producing areas (two crop seasons) include:  Nickerie (15 areas planting average 11,000 ha)  Saramacca (3 areas planting average 1,200 ha)  Coronie (planted 750 ha)

Rice farms can roughly be divided into: - Small farms 1 – 24 ha - Mid-level farms 25 – 250 ha - Large-scale farms > 250 ha

The most important Banana producer is the State owned company “Stichting Behoud Bananen Sector” (SBBS). This enterprise comprises two estates, located in the Saramacca and , and covers a total area of about 2,000 ha. At the SBBS 1,900 persons are employed. Bananas are mainly exported to the European market.

In Suriname vegetable crops are mainly grown by some 3,000 - 4,000 full-time and part-time, small-scale farmers. Women play a crucial role in vegetable production in our country. The main vegetable producing areas are: the area (), the Wayombo area in the Central Region, The , The area in the and Alkmaar, and Sinabo in the . Over the past 15 years an average of about 1,000 ha was destined for vegetable production. This comprises less then 0,1% of the total acreage. Farm sizes vary between 0.08 and 2.0 ha. Vegetable Farms consist most of the time of a small variety of crop kinds. The production technology is predominantly labour intensive. The importance of the vegetables sub-sector of Suriname encompasses:

10  Income generation for many rural families  They complement the staple food rice to contribute to the nutritional needs of the local population  This commodity is a foreign exchange earner.

Remarkable characteristics of the vegetable crop sub-sector of Suriname are:  small sizes of the individual plantings  the production technology is predominantly labour intensive  large consumption of artificial fertiliser and pesticides  great risk of harvest failure due to seasonal effects. This mainly caused by lack of suitable irrigation and drainage facilities in times of drought or heavy rainfall.

The quantity of locally produced vegetables does not always meet the demands. The supply of demanded vegetables is not always guaranteed or sufficient because of seasonal effects. The main vegetable crops produced include:  Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)  Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)  Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)  Yard long beans (Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis)  Tanya (Xanthosoma sp.)  Chinese cabbage (Brassica sp.)  Egg-plant (Solanum melongena)  Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)  Hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens)  Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)  Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)  Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)  African egg-plant (Solanum macrocarpon)

Vegetable crops produced in smaller quantities include:  Bitter greens (Cestrum latifolium)  Celery (Apium graveolens)  Amaranthus (Amaranthus sp.)  Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)  Broccoli, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)  Sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum)  Spinach (Basella alba).

Approximately 10% of the amount of vegetables produced over the past years has been exported. Vegetable crops exported include: bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), eggplant (Solanum melongena), yard long beans (Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis), vegetables [Bitter greens (Cestrum latifolium); spinach (Basella alba)], hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens), pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo). The export market for these commodities is mainly the Dutch market.

To sustain the diversification efforts of the Government of Suriname (GOS) increasing vegetable crop production and improving productivity of this commodity group is considered to be an important activity as a means of reducing the reliance on rice and bananas as sources of foreign currency and for improving nutrition of the population. Improving vegetable production technology is therefore incorporated into the diversification efforts of the GOS.

11 For data on production and export of agricultural commodities refer to Annexes 1 – 5.

Policy The Government recognises that development and diversification of the agricultural sector is important in ensuring adequacy in food and nutrition, in improving rural incomes and standard of living, and in elevating the economic well-being of the population. Diversification in the agricultural sector is also of importance for risk spreading and for achieving the possibility to generate more incomes from other agricultural commodities.

The current agricultural policy of the GOS is therefore aimed at "diversification and at providing consumers with a wholesome and safe diet at reasonable prices, and having an environment within which an efficient and dynamic agriculture can provide for domestic food needs and larger foreign exchange earnings".

GOS currently identifies three goals with regard to the agricultural sector:  Self-sufficiency: to guarantee the availability of sufficient healthy and safe food for all residents;  Income: the achievement of a successful agro-sector that generates employment and adequate income to those active in the sector and contributes to poverty alleviation;  Foreign exchange: to encourage and facilitate the orientation of the exports of the sector and through this the growth of the export value.

Agricultural development is guided by the Multi Annual Development Plan. The current plan is prepared for the period 2012 - 2016.

1.5. FOOD SECURITY

As defined by the 1996 World Food Summit (WFS), food security “…exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. This definition integrates access to food, availability of food and the biological utilization of food and the stability of these. These factors are interrelated.

Over the past years the following activities related to Food Security took place in Suriname:  Establishing the Seed Inspectorate at the MAAHF in 1999 (Seed Quality Control, seed training, seed research);  Approval of the Seed Law in April 2005 in Parliament (Encompassing regulations for the production, quality and sale of seed);  Collaboration between the Research Department of the MAAHF and the Dutch Research Institute PPO (“Praktijk Onderzoek Plant en Omgeving”) in the area of quality standards for vegetable crops exported to The Netherlands. This year activities will commence, in collaboration with PPO, on improved vegetable seed production;  Sub-project “Improved Vegetable Production” (part of Regional Project GTFS/RLA/141/ITA - “Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food Security). The components comprised:  setting up 5 greenhouses with hydroponic system in the coastal area  training in greenhouse and hydroponic operation

12  a two-week training course on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for vegetables (May, 2006).  Sub-project “Improved Rice Production” (part of Regional Project GTFS/RLA/141/ITA - “Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food Security). The components comprised:  8 Minimum tillage production demos  8 Hydro-tillage production demos  3 IPM/FFS production demos (FFS = Farmer Field School)  A one-week IPM training for Rice (December 2006).  3-days training on “Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis” (November 2006), under Project GTFS/RLA/141/ITA - “Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food Security  Participation in project IICA/MAAHF/Educons project on production of agricultural instruction CD’s. Target group: pupils from the 4th and 5th grade of Elementary Schools.

Under the Regional Food Security Programme three projects were executed in Suriname over the past years:  Introduction of Aquaculture and Other Integrated Production Management Practices to Rice Farmers  “Food Security in CARIFORUM – Market information and Institutional Development Strengthening”  Components of Regional Project GTFS/RLA/141/ITA - “Promoting CARICOM/ CARIFORUM Food Security”.

Currently Suriname participates in two regional projects:  TCP/RLA/3313 – “Establishment of a Food and Nutrition Security Information and Early Warning System for the CARICOM Sub-region”  TCP/RLA/3314 – “Preparation of National Food and Nutrition Security Policies and Action Programmes in the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)”. Recently a draft food and nutrition security action plan (RFNSAP) for the CARICOM Region was developed and distributed in member countries (October 2011). The RFNSP seeks to provide a clearly articulated, holistic policy framework for the period 2011-2025. This because the Region, In the quest for food and nutrition security, faces challenges, ranging from climate change to energy security, population growth and youth unemployment, global land acquisition, migration and urbanization, water scarcity, decrease of remittances, bio-fuel demand, the decrease of investment in research over the past two decades.

As part of Regional Project “Promoting CARICOM/ CARIFORUM Food Security” a food security assessment was carried out in Suriname in 2006. From the Food Security assessment the following information was obtained: Key factors in vulnerability to food security in Suriname include:  Limited quantity and quality of livelihood assets  Weak access to, and the poor quality of, privately-owned and publicly-held physical capital;

13  Vulnerable farmers tend to have inadequate privately-owned physical capital (including agricultural land, livestock, kitchen gardens) to support their main occupation;  Limited access to diversified fishing gear and adequate boats;  Households that are most vulnerable to becoming food insecure have few if any other physical assets (such as home gardens or livestock) with which to supplement their income or food supply in case of adverse unexpected shocks;  Access to water and electricity services;  Inadequate sanitation services contribute to high rates of diseases;  Vulnerable households have very limited financial capital (cash, savings, jewelry and access to credit).  Low education level (Limited knowledge and skills, and poor education are core contributing causes to vulnerability)  Adverse trends erode the risk management capacities of vulnerable livelihoods (Population growth and unsustainable production practices lead to increased pressure on available land, forest and fishery resources)  Sudden shocks drive vulnerable households into food insecurity (e.g. death or serious illness of the household head, floods).

Floods in 2006 and in 2008 in large parts of the interior, due to unexpected excessive rains, turned out to be catastrophic. While no lives were lost the social and material damage was considerable. The Government and local and international NGO’s provided substantial aid in terms of food, medical supplies and basic hygiene articles during the periods of flooding.

14 2. THE STATE OF DIVERSITY

2.1. Agricultural plant genetic resources

At the MAAHF, the Research Department is one of the institutes responsible for agricultural research. Conservation activities are principally located at several experimental gardens. The most important of these experimental gardens are La Poule and Dirkshoop. A number of relevant agricultural species, such as citrus, mango, coffee, cacao and coconut, are being grown and used in field trials or are kept for future research activities. Species that are currently present at Dirkshoop and La Poule are presented in Annex 6.

2.2. Indigenous Plant Genetic Resources

Forestry genetic resources About 90% of the country is covered with forest. The major part is covered with rain forest (78%). Other types also occur such as Mangrove forest and swamp vegetation (10%) and savanna vegetation (about 1%). The major part of the forest is not accessible. This because of the mountainous country side and the bad navigability of the rivers. For this reason timber production is mostly carried out in the northern part of the Surinamese rain forest, the so called forestry belt. This belt is an economic zone of high forest and varies in distance across from 10 to 40 km. This area constitutes 1.5 million ha of forest trees, of which about 60,000 ha is suitable for sustainable timber production. In this area about 10,000 ha comprises man made forest. This forestry belt is accessible through about 2,000 km of good roads. The rain forest consists of more than 300 forest species, of which less than 10% is suitable for timber harvest. In Suriname the emphasis has been on commercial timber production for a long time. The other functions and products of the forest are still under-valued, such as the genetic potential, medical plants, ornamentals and fauna in all their diversity.

Under the Timber Act of 1996 the following tree species are listed as protected and are not permitted to be harvested:  Bolletrie (Manilkara bidentata);  Hoepelhout (Copaifera guianensis);  Inginoto (Bertholletia excelsa);  Man rozenhout (Aniba mas)  Rosenhout (Aniba rosaeodora);  Sawari noot (Caryocar nuciferum)  Tonka (Dypteryx odorata, D. punctata).

A list of commercial forestry wood species was compiled according to a FAO report of 1974 (FO. DP/SUR/71/506 – Technical Report 6 – Forestry Development Suriname). See Annex 7.

Palmae Palms of economic or potential economic importance include:  Elaeis guineensis (African oilpalm)  Elaeis oleifera (“Sabana obe”)  Astrocaryum vulgare (“awarra”)  Maximilliana sp. (“maripa”) Astrocaryum vulgare and Maximilliana sp. are used by inland tribes for the production of edible oil. The pulp of Astrocaryum vulgare is also used fresh. The

15 pulp of this crop is rich in vitamine A, vitamine C and carotene. The pulp can also be used to give flavour to ice-cream.  Euterpe oleracea (“palmito”)  Bactris gasipaes (“paripoe” or peach palm). The “paripoe” is not indigenous.  Attalea spp. This palm type is suitable for the production of strips for parquet floors.

Medicinal plants About 600 indigenous plants are used for medicinal purposes. Amog these, a famous medicinal plant used over a great part of the world is Quassia amara (“Kwasibita”). Duramen (the older inactive central wood of a tree or woody plant) of this species contains quassin, the bitterest substance found in nature. Extracts from Kwasibita’s bark are also used as insecticides against aphids.

Other medicinal plants include:  Bixa orellana (“koeswe”);  Cecropia surinamensis (“Oema boesi papaja”);  Ruellia tuberosa (“Watra kanoe”);  Hura crepitans (“Possentrie”);  Phyllantus amarus (“fini bita”);  Lippia geninata (“Blakka tiki minti”);  Piper marginatum (“Anesi wiwiri”).

Ornamentals Many plants that are present in the forest of Suriname can be used as ornamentals and could become of economic importance for local growers of ornamentals. These plants include: Orchid species, fern species, and varieties of the Bromeliaceae, Araceae and Musaceae family.

Other species of economic importance, that are grown by local producers and of which relatives are present in the forest, include:  Ananas comosus (pine apple);  Manihot esculenta (cassava);  Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato);  Xanthosoma spp. (“tanya”);  Theobroma cocao (cocao);  Oenocarpus bacaba (“koemboe”);  Anacardium occidentale (cashew);  Bertholletia excelsa (“Para noto”);  Caryocar nuciferum (“Ingi noto”);

Indigenous species that could become important with regard to agricultural production include:  Spondias mombin (“mope”); for the processing industry;  Ananas soides and Ananas nanus (Wild pine apple); could be used in breeding programmes;  Manihot spp. (wild cassava); The vegetables:  Talinum triangulare (“postelein”);  Amaranthus lividus and Amaranthus dubius (klaroen);  Solanum oleraceum (“agoema wiwiri”);  Caladium bicolor (“jaba foetoe”).

16 3. POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGEMENT OF GENETIC RESOURCES

At present Suriname does not yet have a coordinated genetic resources program, or a coherent national policy regarding genetic resources. However in December 2011 a National Coordination Committee on Plant Genetic Resources was installed by the minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries to ensure adequate coordination of the management of plant genetic resources.

In Suriname activities regarding management of genetic resources fall under the responsibility of a number of ministries, namely The Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAHF), and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Several institutes of the University of Suriname are also involved in the areas of plant and animal genetic resources namely The National Zoological Collection of Suriname (NZCS), the Center for Environmental Research (CMO), the National Herbarium Suriname (BBS / NHS), and CELOS (Center for Agricultural Research in Suriname). The Anne van Dijk Rice Research Institute (ADRON) is responsible for rice research (breeding, testing of new lines, conservation etc). In the past LON (Agricultural Research Nickerie) of the “Stichting ter bevordering van de Machinale Landbouw” (Foundation for Mechanized Agriculture - SML) was responsible for these activities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries is responsible for the management of plant, animal and fish resources. Several units of this Ministry (Seed Unit, the Quarantine Office, The Plant Protection Divisions, the Fruit Crops, Vegetable Crops and Ornamental Crops Division) are involved with plant genetic resources.

The MAAHF conducts all agricultural activities in terms of production and the necessary research in this field. The management of plant (especially agriculture and horticulture), animal (except wildlife), and fish resources is also the responsibility of this ministry. The main institute responsible for cultivar introduction and evaluation is the Sub- directorate Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing. Several units are involved with plant genetic resources namely the Seed Unit, the Quarantine Office, The Plant Protection Divisions (insects, fungi, bacteria, and nematodes), and the Divisions Fruit Crops, Vegetable Crops and Ornamental Crops. Two foundations that also fall under the MAAHF, namely STINAPA (Foundation Nature Parks) and STIPRIS (Foundation Experimental Stations in Suriname), have a number of ex situ collections of exotic trees and agricultural crops. The botanical garden, which is situated in Paramaribo, falls under the responsibility of STINAPA. With regard to introduction of farm, pet, and other type of animals the Sub-directorate of Animal Husbandry is the responsible authority, namely the Veterinary Inspection Division.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) controls the exploitation and management of all energy and natural resources, except fish. The Suriname Forest Service (LBB) is responsible for the implementation of the laws regarding the country’s natural resources. It places a high priority on conservation and sustainable development (Dupaix, 2001). The Nature Conservation Division of the Suriname Forest Service is in charge of nature conservation including the management of wild flora and fauna, management of protected areas and control of the trade in wild life. The management of protected areas is conducted in close cooperation with the Foundation for Nature Preservation. The

17 Foundation for Forest Management (SBB) is in charge of forest management, including management of non-wood forest products (NWFP’s) of plant origin.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, namely the Division of Import, Export and Foreign Currency Control (IUD), is responsible for the issuance of licenses for import and export of plants, animals and microorganisms and develops the general import and export policy in the country.

Customs not only controls the movement of plants and animals at the airports and borders but is also present at the moment when shipments of animals, plants and micro- organisms are being packed.

18 4. THE STATE OF IN SITU MANAGEMENT

Germplasm (plant genetic material) is living tissue from which new organisms can be generated. Through germplasm the genetic information of an organism is transferred from generation to generation. A distinction can be made between animal and crop germplasm. In this document the focus will be predominantly on germplasm of crop species.

Germplasm management is an important aspect for obtaining improved planting material. Germplasm management comprises: collecting, characterizing, evaluating, describing and conservation of germplasm.

A place where germplasm is conserved is called a gene bank. Gene banks for crops can be in situ or ex situ. In situ conservation of germplasm involves conservation of germplasm in its original region. Ex situ conservation involves conservation of germplasm outside the natural environment.

4.1. Forest Genetic Resources

Forest genetic resources comprise timber species, medicinal plants and other non- timber species. The Suriname Forest Service gives high priority to conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Other tasks include: forest inventory, forest management, nature conservation, forest research, forest control, timber control, accessibility to the forest and training of forest guards. Suriname is committed to the conservation of natural resources, while promoting better living conditions for the population of the small villages of the Interior and the people living in the coastal areas. The country does have programmes or projects for in situ conservation of Forest Resources. It is necessary to involve more intensively the inland tribes to assist in the management of in situ conservation sites.

4.2. Conservation in Protected Areas

There are 13 protected areas, ranging from 100 to 1,600,000 ha, covering about 12% of the total land surface. They include forest eco-systems, sea turtle nesting beaches and estuarine areas, hosting North American migratory birds and other locally breeding coastal birds.

19 The country’s protected areas are listed below:

Table 1: Overview of the protected areas in Suriname.

Name Nature Area (ha) Established/ Expanded 1 Wia Wia Nature reserve 36,000 1961/1966 2 *Voltzberg-Raleighvallen ‘’ 77,000 1961/1986 3 Monding ‘’ 12,000 1966 4 Brinck Heuvel ‘’ 6,000 1961 5 *Tafelberg ‘’ 140,000 1966 6 *Eilerts de Haan Gebergte ‘’ 220,000 1966 7 Galibi ‘’ 4,000 1969 8 Hertenrits ‘’ 100 1972 9 ‘’ 100,000 1972 10 Copie ‘’ 28,200 1986 11 Boven Coesewijne ‘’ 27,430 1986 12 Peruvia ‘’ 35,150 1986 13 Wane Kreek ‘’ 43,860 1986 14 Brownsberg Nature Park ‘’ 8,400 1969 15 **Centraal Suriname Natuur 1,600,000 Inscribed on the Reservaat – CSNR (The Central World Heritage Suriname Nature Reserve) List in 2000 (*Voltzberg-Raleighvallen, Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haan Gebergte are now part of the CSNR)

**The Central Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR), established by Government Decree SB 1998 no. 65, comprises 1.6 million ha. of primary tropical forest of West-Central Suriname. The CSNR covers over 10% of the total land area of Suriname. The Reserve forms a corridor connecting three important former protected areas in Central Suriname: the Raleighvallen Nature Reserve in the north, and the Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haangebergte Nature Reserves in the central and southern portion of the corridor, resulting in the fact that there are now 13 protected areas. The Nature Reserve also protects (Source: the watershed of one of Suriname's most important http://www.2docstock.com/Surina me/Stinasu/centralreserve.html) river systems, the Coppename River. The Reserve covers a range of topography and ecosystems of significant conservation value due to their unspoiled state. Its mountainous and lowland forests contain a high diversity of plant life with almost 6,000 species collected to date. There are viable populations of animals typical of the region including jaguar, giant armadillo, giant river otter, tapir, sloths (“luiaard”) and eight species of primates, as well as 400 bird species. The site encompasses significant vertical relief, topography and soil conditions that have resulted in a variety of ecosystems. The CSNR contains a high diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to the Guyana Shield and are globally threatened.

With the inscription of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve on the World Heritage List, Suriname has established itself as a nation with exceptional universal heritage assets.

20 The recognition that Suriname has tropical forest of worldwide value will certainly contribute to the general view of Suriname’s nature.

Suriname's strong tradition of nature conservation with regard to forestry crops, its protection of biodiversity and its preservation of primary tropical forest is indicated by a nature conservation system comprising the protected areas listed on page 20. These protected areas encompass a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical forests to coastal formations, making Suriname's nature conservation system one of the most representative in South America.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), in particular her institute The Suriname Forestry Service, is responsible for management of the country’s protected areas.

Wildlife outside the reserve is protected by law and is managed by the Nature Conservation Division of The Forest Service. All forest and other domain land is property of the Government of Suriname. Timber concessions and cutting permits limit the exploitation of forest land of those forests that remain full property of the Government. Tribal communities, living in the interior, are also entitled to a part of the forest in the vicinity of their village. The total forest held under these privileges amounts to approximately 400,000 ha.

Table 2: Proposed protected reserves Name Area (ha) 1 Nanni nature reserve 53,920 2 Kaboeri Kreek nature reserve 67,720 3 Mac Clemen forest reserve 5,970 4 Snake Creek forest reserve 4,125 5 Lelydorp forest reserve 500 6 Cassipora forest reserve 4,420

4.3. Inventories

Most inventories on plant species took place in the Coastal Plain of Suriname and well accessible airstrips in the Interior. Large areas of the interior, especially the mountain ranges, remain completely unknown for their flora, fauna, ecosystems and ecological relations. The two national institutions responsible for general inventories of flora and fauna are the National Herbarium Suriname (BBS/NHS) and the National Zoological Collection Suriname (NZCS), both part of the University of Suriname.

21 5. THE STATE OF EX-SITU MANAGEMENT

5.1. General Information on Ex-Situ Management in Suriname

Ex situ conservation involves conservation of germplasm outside the natural environment. Ex situ conservation includes: a. Conservation in the field b. Conservation in Seed Banks c. “Cryopreservation” d. In-vitro conservation a. Conservation of germplasm in the field. Seeds of several fruit crops and nuts deteriorate quickly in case they are conserved in the form of seed (recalcitrant seed). Germplasm of these species is conserved in the form of living plants. The Research Department of the MAAHF manages different ex situ collections at several experimental gardens where conservation related activities are conducted. At the experimental fields of the Research Department of the MAAHF, La Poule and Dirkshoop, and of the Foundation Experimental Gardens in Suriname (STIPRIS), West, there are collections of:  Several fruit crops and varieties of agronomic crops  Several palm species and varieties of these species  A few ornamentals.

The Centre for Agricultural Research (CELOS) has a field collection of 115 cassava accessions in the Saramacca District (Tijgerkreek West) and the Hinterland (Phedra). b. Conservation of germplasm in seed banks. Orthodox seeds can be dried to a moisture content (MC) of 4 – 8% MC and stored. Currently there is only a true seed bank for rice lines and varieties. This seed bank is located at the Anne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie (ADRON) of the Foundation National Rice Research Institute (SNRI). The Anne van Dijk Research Institute (ADRON) is responsible for rice research (breeding, testing of new lines, conservation). ADRON has a rice germplasm collection and a plant breeding program to develop new rice varieties. ADRON conserves and uses two types of germplasm, a working collection and a gene bank. The working collection is a strategic collection. In this collection rice cultivars and lines from all over the world are stored, and used for breeding purposes to produce cultivars suited for Suriname. Genetic material is obtained from several institutes like IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), and Centro International de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT). The gene bank is a conservation collection. Rice cultivars and lines of Suriname, and sometimes Guyana, are preserved in this collection. Every cultivar in the collection is preserved for an indefinite period of time. Rice seed conservation at ADRON occurs in deep freezers, a refrigerator or in the Seed Storage Room, where a temperature of about 25 OC is maintained. About 946 accessions are being conserved at ADRON. As the primary center of diversity of Oryza sativa is in Indochina, which is also thought to be its principal domestication site and the primary center of diversity of Oryza glaberrima is considered to be the swampy basin of the upper Niger, an important proportion of this collection comes from outside Suriname as were received through exchange with international networks/centres.

Until a few years ago the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAHF) and the Centre for

22 Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS) had seed storage rooms with collections of local and exotic varieties of grain crops, pulses, vegetables and weeds. Due to lack of funds for proper conservation of the seed storage rooms it was not possible to keep these facilities functioning. This caused decline of the facilities, resulting in loss of germplasm at these facilities. Around 1997 the Seed Storage room at the Agricultural Experiment Station was partially renovated. However, the storage conditions do not comply with internationally recommended standards. Temperature and humidity cannot be controlled adequately. Both institutes have plans to again collect and conserve germplasm. At present CELOS is doing variety testing on crops such as maize, soybean, cashew and cassava. Seed is obtained from research institutes. No conservation programs are yet being conducted. Recently the Seed Unit of the Research Department started collecting and conserving a few accessions of important, widely cultivated vegetables, including eggplants, bitter gourd, yard-long bean and okra. c. Conservation of germplasm through “cryopreservation”. Seed samples of crops or embryo’s are conserved in or on top of liquid Nitrogen at a temperature of –196 OC. In Suriname there are no conservation activities by means of cryopreservation. d. In-vitro conservation. Tissue culture techniques are applied for conserving germplasm. This conservation method is suitable for species that can not be conserved in the form of seed. At the Faculty of Technology of the ADEK University of Suriname there is an in-vitro laboratory for research and teaching purposes. The capacity of this laboratory is limited. In this laboratory there is an in-vitro collection of Musa acuminata en Anananas comosus.

Collecting, describing and characterizing germplasm There are no systemic procedures for collecting germplasm. For the characterization and evaluation of germplasm internationally agreed descriptors from IPGRI (now Bioversity International) are available. Recently new software for the information management of ex situ collections, called GRIN Global, which was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), became available from the Global Crop Diversity Trust. For describing germplasm ADRON uses the Standard Evaluation System for Rice from IRRI.

5.2. Rice germplasm management at the Rice Research Station, ADRON

In the past the Foundation for the Furtherance of Mechanized Agriculture – SML (“Stichting ter Bevordering van de Machinale Landbouw”) was responsible for rice research, rice germplasm management and rice breeding programmes. Since 1994 ADRON is the recognized institute for research on rice, an important staple crop in Suriname. ADRON is the only institute with a true seed bank for rice lines and varieties. Information on germplasm management for rice will be elaborated in this chapter.

5.2.1 Collection, introduction and exchange of germplasm

Collecting genetic material encompasses collection of varieties of a crop species in several regions where this crop is present or where it is cultivated. In the case of ADRON this activity regards collecting rice varieties and lines from all over the world;

23 introduced for breeding purposes to obtain rice lines with characteristics, suitable for Suriname’s agro-ecological conditions. Material is introduced from South East Asia, obtained through IRRI, lines from CIAT, from the Latin American Region and from other regions. The composition of the collection may change periodically, as sometimes it is decided to remove lines that will not be used anymore in breeding programmes from the collection.

5.2.2 Characterization

Germplasm characterization focuses mainly on traits which are not influenced by the environment and are independently expressed. In characterization, at ADRON attention is paid to: plant height, spikelet fertility, panicle threshability, fenotype, growth period and other characters.

Measurements: At ADRON this includes experimental data to be determined, that characterize every accession genetically. Internationally agreed descriptors are applied. Characters of rice varieties can be either “qualitative” (e.g. leaf blade pubescens; ligule colour) or “quantitative” (e.g. grain length; culm height). Quantitative traits generally require more observations.

5.2.3 Evaluation

Germplam evaluation refers to the observation of traits which are the result of the interaction between the genetic makeup of the material evaluated and the environment in which it is grown. Traits generally observed include: - yield; - pest and disease tolerance or resistance; - tolerance or resistance to a-biotic stress situations. Yield depends on the season, the geographic location and other growth factors.

5.2.4 Description

For the description of germplasm specially designed computer database programmes can be used. For the characterization and evaluation of germplasm internationally recognized descriptors are used. ADRON uses the Standard Evaluation System for Rice from IRRI.

During the growing cycle of the rice crop three growth phases can be distinguished:  The vegetative phase;  The reproductive phase;  The ripening phase. For the different growth phases the characteristics that are important for the particular phase are described.

5.2.5 Conservation

ADRON holds and manages two types of genetic resources collections:  a working collection and  a base collection. Both collections are stored and catalogued together. However there are fundamental differences between the two collections.

24 There are about 500 Surinamese lines and about 1,000 lines and varieties from abroad in the collection.

Work collection The work collection comprises a strategic collection. It concerns rice varieties and rice lines, obtained from all over the world, for breeding purposes aimed at combining agronomic characteristics, which are desirable for Suriname, in one genotype. The material obtained represents material from South East Asia, obtained through IRRI, lines from CIAT, lines from the Latin American Region and lines from other regions. The composition of the collection might change: a line that will not be used anymore in breeding programmes is removed. This collection is stored in plastic bottles (1 and 2 litres) in a cold storage room (20 0C). The moisture content of this material is not higher than 13%.

Gene bank A conservation collection. Rice varieties and lines from Suriname and sometimes from Guyana are kept in this collection. This collection comprises for example SML lines, dry land rice from the Hinterland, outstanding ADRON lines that were not selected to be released as a variety, but could be used as breeding parentals. Ones a new variety is released, this variety is conserved for an indefinite period of time. The material is renewed periodically. It is namely ADRON’s task, as partner in international exchange programmes, to conserve and have available the Surinamese lines and varieties. For safety reasons it is a recommended and normal practice to duplicate and share with international partners’ genebanks the material held in the base collection. In these cases seed of the first multiplication should be sent to gene banks with which an exchange programmes exist. In doing so, whichever accident may occur to the ADRON seed bank would not prevent the re-establishment of the original collection, as the materials could be repatriated from the partners of the exchange program. ADRON recognizes two types of storage:  Mid term storage: storage for a period of 3 – 4 years in plastic containers that are kept in a cool cell at a temperature of 4 - 5 0C. The moisture content of this material is about 10%;  Long term storage: storage for a period of more than 4 years in aluminum bags in a deep freezer at a temperature of -18 0C. The moisture content of this material is about 6%.

Moisture content determination At ADRON moisture content determination is done by using a Brabender moisture measuring device. This method is based on the oven dry method. Also moisture is measured using a Kett single kernel moisture meter which uses the resistance method.

5.2.6 Organisation of ADRON’s genetic resources

In the past rice research was carried out by the Foundation for the Furtherance of Mechanized Agriculture (SML). Since 1994 the institute ADRON (Anne van Dijk Rijst Onderzoeks Centrum Nickerie), that falls under the responsibility of the Foundation National Rice Research Institute (SNRI), is responsible for rice research in Suriname.

5.2.7 Management

Management comprises: - Collecting/introducing new lines and determining criteria for doing this;

25 - Storage of the accessions; - Plant the accessions periodically in the field and collect data on germination of the collection in storage; - Selective removal of material that will not be utilized anymore (strategic collection); - Organize field measurements of collections of varieties, storage, and making data available; - As part of exchange programmes submit Surinamese germplasm to regional and international institutes, among other things, for risk spreading

5.2.8 Accessibility of data

A collection is only useful in case it is accessible. The accessibility can be observed physically, for instance displaying the material systematic in a storage facility. Accessibility by means of a catalogue is also very important. Accessibility has to do with everything that makes it possible for plant breeders and others to utilize the collection of rice lines and varieties and indicates that there are data on: 1) what is present in the collection; 2) where a line or variety is located; 3) what the different lines or varieties are useful for. Nowadays storage of and accessibility of data through a computer programme is an absolute necessity for making information on gene banks and collections of lines and varieties available.

For the data that one is interested in one can differentiate between passport data and measurements or experimental data (field observations).

Information This is related to data on identity and origin (passport data). These data are used to make searching on name, origin, and reputation possible.  Accession. At ADRON the method Diary of Materials Received (DMR) is used. This comprises continuing numbers that are assigned immediately after receiving the material. In experiments, carried out later on this number, could be used as an ID number;  Name of the variety or line;  Aliases of the variety. The same variety can occur under different names;  Line number. A variety often has, apart from the name allocated at release, a line number that provides information on the history in the breeding programme;  Origin of the seed. The name and location of the experimental station where the seed was derived from is provided or the place where it was collected;  Taxonomic group (japonica, indica, mixed form, wild rice, weed rice);  Reputation of the variety. This regards characters that are denoted to the variety by the persons that make the material available.

5.3. PGR management at the Research Department of the MAAHF

The department of Agricultural Research, Marketing and Processing aims to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector through research. Except research the division also has experimental gardens with genebanks of different fruit crops and where they produce planting material to provide interested parties. There are other divisions at the Department who also deal with certain aspects of plant genetic resources management, such as the division Seed Unit, division Plant protection and the division

26 Fruit Crop research. The Research Department holds collections at the experimental gardens La Poule and Dirkshoop.

PGR management activities at the Research Department of the MAAHF include: - Collection - Evaluation - Description - Conservation

Collection The Division Fruit Crops at the Research Department of the MAAHF collects accessions of different fruit crop species. In the past also crop kind and varieties from abroad were imported. The collected material is maintained at experimental gardens. At the experimental garden La Poule, situated in the Saramacca district, recently extension of the collections in the genebank commenced. In the past there were collections of citrus and coconut varieties. Recently a new coconut collection was established. Also a collection of bananas is currently being established. It is intended to further extend the collection at La Poule.

Evaluation The Fruit Crops Division registers, among other, production data of different orange varieties.

Description The Seed Unit of the Research Department is currently working on the description of accessions of 5 (five) important vegetable crops namely: bitter gourd, eggplant, okra, African eggplant and yard long bean.

Conservation At the experimental gardens there are collections of species of local and exotic fruit crops. Collections at experimental garden La Poule: - Citrus - Coconut - Coffee and cacoa - Bananas Collections at experimental garden Dirkshoop - Citrus - Coconut - Mango - Astrocaryum vulgare - Avocado Experimental garden Boma - Citrus - Coconut - Bilimbi Experimental garden Tijgerkreek West  Mango  Exotic crops like cinnamon, pimento, bayrun leave and nutmeg.

The Division Plant Quarantine at the Research Department is responsible for regulating the import of plants, plant parts or seed. Before a licence for import is obtained from the

27 Ministry of Trade and Industries, an approval from the Plant Quarantine Division is needed. This division has to see to the safety of planting material and other agricultural products being exported or imported.

5.4. Cassava germplasm management at The Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS)

The Foundation Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS) was established in 1967. CELOS promotes and executes applied research in various aspects of agriculture. Over the years forestry management also became an important activity at CELOS. The research and services program focuses on the development of sustainable agriculture and forestry systems.

CELOS has extended its cassava germplasm collections to a total of 115 accessions by means of collection missions, carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Technological Sciences of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname. The field collections of 115 cassava accessions are conserved in the Saramacca District (Tijgerkreek West) and the Hinterland (Phedra). The CELOS collection comprises local materials collected during 2006-2008 in the following districts: Paramaribo, Marowijne, Brokopondo, Commewijne, Para and Saramacca. Accessions have been characterized on three locations; these locations differ mainly in soil type ranging from sandy soils and sandy loamy soils to fairly clayey soils. The major part of these accessions has been characterized on these three soil types, sometimes resulting in varying descriptor scores for the three locations. It is believed that some of the collected accessions concern germplasm that was introduced for improvement programs, conducted by the ministry of Agriculture in the seventies of the previous century.

Collections management The main activities are the conservation of these 115 accessions. Accessions are regenerated each year with possible extension of the regeneration period to eighteen months. With previous regenerations and characterizations all activities were done in the same collections. With the last regenerations in 2011 CELOS decided to use different collections for conservation and for characterization. While all accessions will be held in the gene banks, only selected accessions will be used in characterization trials. To ensure conservation a minimum accession size of 10 plants is maintained. When selecting planting material for the next generation, strict protocols are followed including the selection of primary stem portions among others. Disease monitoring is frequent. Inspection of planting material for diseases is also done during the selection of material for the next generation.

Characterization and preliminary evaluation Characterization was carried out using 41 descriptors chosen from a descriptor list for cassava published by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (now Bioversity International). Morphological as well as agronomical descriptors were used. During characterization observations were made on a maximum of four plants out of 12 to 16 plants per accession. Some of the agronomical descriptors used are yield per plant, commercial yield per plant, storage root dry matter content, root cyanide content, storage root form and storage root pulp color. Especially the results for the descriptors regarding yield should be interpreted carefully since the results were obtained from only four plants. The results from the last conducted trials at the experimental stations at Tijgerkreek West in the district of Saramacca and at Phedra in the district of Brokopondo in 2010

28 and 2011 produced a more truthful set of results, since the observations were obtained from a trial set up with two replications. This set up ensures a leveling out of possible effects due to differences in soil characteristics of the experimental fields (soil nutrition, soil water content). In previous trials there was only one replication. With the characterization trial carried out in the last three years, there is now a baseline of data that can be used.

Data management CELOS uses a system of serial numbers as accession numbers per gene bank location. At collection a collector’s number, comprising a serial number and the initials of the collector, is assigned to the germplasm (as recommended by IPGRI). Each collector maintains his own series of collector’s numbers. When entering germplasm into one of the gene banks an accession number is assigned. Since the accession numbers can differ per gene bank location, the only number that can be used to identify a certain germplasm in different gene bank locations is the collector’s number. For the management of the data CELOS uses a custom-made database created in MS Access 2007. This database contains the collection data as well as characterization data. All data details are stored in the database. Also there are some queries created to view means of some of the descriptors values (e.g. storage root yield, first branching height. Data on the utilization of the different accessions is based on collection data; at collection information on the utilization of the different accessions was also recorded.

Future gene bank activities At the moment CELOS has protocols in place to characterize accessions based on leaf protein content, storage root fiber content. Further evaluations will be made using five varieties for leaf production potential and leaf composition characterization. Gene bank activity is limited by the lack of funding, as well as by the lack of personnel.

5.5. The role of the National Herbarium (BBS) with regard to plant genetic resources

General The National Herbarium of Suriname (BBS) has a plant collection that can be used as a scientific reference collection. It is a source of information regarding the flora of , particularly Suriname, to obtain data for scientific and vernacular names. The National Herbarium stands unquestionably for the dependability of plant names according to plant systematic. It is the responsibility of the National Herbarium to support scientific research and education at all levels through education, information and awareness. Research into the occurrence and distribution of species is a source of information to determine the status of, among others, the biodiversity. Recognition of threatened and rare species, the status of species, provides information for nature conservation. The collection supports the conservation of cultural and natural heritage of Suriname.

29 The collection comprises: • Angiospermae (flowering plants) • Xylotheek, including The Stahel collection (wood collection) • Ferns • Moss • Macrofungi • A collection on alcohol (predominantly orchids) • Dried fruits.

The National Herbarium of Suriname provides information to third parties through: - Guided tours - Training courses on collection and identification - Information for professionals and those interested in the subject.

Boxes with specimen at BBS A herbarium box with plant specimens

30 The Stahel Collection at the BBS

The wood collection the BBS

Collection stored in alcohol

31 Dried fruits stored at BBS

In agriculture and food production crop improvement occurs. Since the National Herbarium represents wild varieties of plants, it is important to consequently register which plants are the ancestral plants. The collection and the documentation available at the National Herbarium can be a baseline for further reference and study of plants and crops.

5.6. On-farm Conservation

Horticultural activities are mainly carried out by small farmers. These farmers often save part of their commercial production for collecting seed (e.g. for eggplant, African eggplant, yard long beans, and common beans). However, the quality of the seed may not be satisfactory due to improper practices during harvest, conditioning and/or storage. For several crops they also use imported seeds (e.g. cabbage, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, gherkin, sweet pepper, tomato, celery). Throughout the years farmers maintained lines/varieties of eggplant, bitter gourd, okra an Tanya leaves.

5.7. Botanical Garden

In Paramaribo there is a botanical garden. The botanical garden falls under the responsibility of STINAPA (= Stichting Natuur Parken – Foundation Nature Parks). Information on the collection in the Botanical Garden can be obtained from the publication “Inventarisatie en Kartering van de Nuttige Planten en Sierplanten in de Cultuurtuin te Paramaribo” by P.A. Teunissen (February 1982).

5.8. Germplasm Management in the CARICOM Region

In the Caribbean region there is a wide variety and quantity of germplasm present. However, until now in the Region insufficient attention was given to collecting and conservation of germplasm, partly due to lack of knowledge on the importance of germplasm. Also in Suriname there are no systemic procedures for collecting and conserving germplasm (except for rice). There is also no clear policy with regard to germplasm.

Over the past years several organizations that had attention for germplasm collection and conservation were set up. Unfortunately, they soon terminated this activity. These organizations focused on ornamentals, horticultural and agronomic crops. There has also been some attention for trees and marine ecological systems.

32 Germplasm management in the Region is carried out by Ministries of Agriculture, Universities and/or other Government bodies or organizations. Germplasm conservation in the Region occurs in parks, botanical gardens, protected areas, experimental gardens or seed banks. Some ministries and universities obtain collections of local and introduced crops. Collections are known of sugarcane, cocoa, coffee, bananas and citrus. Organizations in the Region, involved in germplasm collection and conservation are: The University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), French and Chinese missions. In the course of time farmers maintained numeral crop kinds and varieties. They constitute an important group in the area of germplasm conservation.

In brief it may be stated that in the Region systemic germplasm management is lacking. Aspects that are important for adequate germplasm management include:  availability of funds;  awareness about the importance of germplasm management;  knowledge regarding germplasm management;  adequate facilities;  a well coordinated national and regional system. All the listed aspects for adequate germplasm management are limited in the Region, including Suriname.

Over the past 30 years several international organizations pointed out that genetic material gets lost and that it is necessary that attention is given to conservation of genetic diversity. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is one of the institutes that stressed that in the Americas progressively genetic material gets lost. It is estimated that within the next 20 – 25 years about 25% of plant species may be lost in case no adequate measures are taken before long.

Table 3. List of materials collected in Suriname and stored in national and international genebanks (source: WIEWS 2012)

WIEWS Biological Number of Institution Taxon (2) code status accessions AUS006 Australian Medicago Genetic Resources Centre, Jatropha curcas WS 1 South Australian Research and Development Institute AUS048 Australian Tropical Crops & Forages Genetic Aeschynomene sensitiva var. sensitiva 1 Resources Centre Arachis hypogaea LR 1 Centrosema pubescens 1 Chamaecrista diphylla 1 Crotalaria maypurensis 1 Crotalaria quinquefolia WS 1 Crotalaria quinquefolia 1 Crotalaria velutina 1 Desmodium incanum 1 Desmodium sp. 1 Desmodium tortuosum 1 Glycine max AC 1 Glycine max BL 2 Indigofera hirsute WS 1 Macroptilium lathyroides 4

2 AC=advanced cultivar; BL=Breeding material; GS=genetic stock; LR= landrace; WS=wild.

33 WIEWS Biological Number of Institution Taxon (2) code status accessions Oryza alta WS 2 Oryza glumaepatula WS 1 Oryza sativa AC 1 Pseudovigna argentea 1 Sesbania cannabina WS 1 Stylosanthes guianensis 4 Tephrosia noctiflora 1 Vigna vexillata LR 1 BEL014 National Botanical Garden of Belgium Macroptilium lathyroides var. semierectum WS 1 Vigna radiata var. radiate LR 1 Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata AC 2 Vigna vexillata var. vexillata WS 1 BGR001 Institute for Plant Genetic Resources "K.Malkov" Cucumis sativus 1 CIV033 West African Rice Development Association Oryza sativa LR 16 Oryza sativa BL 5 COL004 Centro de Investigaciones de Palmira, Instituto Psidium guajava BL 1 Colombiano Agropecuario CUB005 Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas Oryza sativa AC 1 CUB030 Instituto de Investigaciones del Arroz Oryza sativa BL 8 CZE122 Genebank Department, Division of Genetics Amaranthus 1 and Plant Breeding, Research Institute of Crop Production ETH013 International Livestock Research Institute Chamaecrista diphylla WS 1 Indigofera hirsute WS 1 FRA002 CIRAD, Département des Cultures Annuelles Oryza sativa AC 28 IND001 National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Arachis chiquitana 5 IND1054 CPCRI (RC) and International Coconut Gene Cocos nucifera AC 1 bank for South Asia Cocos nucifera LR 1 Cocos nucifera BL 1 IND1458 National Research Centre for Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis AC 1 JPN003 Department of Genetic Resources I, National Capsicum annuum 1 Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Oryza sativa BL 11 Oryza sativa LR 3 Oryza sativa 6 KOR011 Genetic Resources Division, National Institute of Oryza sativa 8 Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Development Administration MEX002 Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Zea mays LR 13 Trigo NGA039 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Vigna unguiculata 10 Vigna unguiculata LR 10 Vigna vexillata WS 1 NLD020 Botanical Garden, University of Nijmegen Solanum macrocarpon WS;GS 1 NLD037 Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Capsicum annuum AC 1 Plant Research International Capsicum chinense 1 Capsicum chinense LR 2 Cucumis sativus LR 1 Cucumis sativus Gherkin Group LR 1 PHL001 International Rice Research Institute Oryza alta WS 3 Oryza glumaepatula WS 2 Oryza latifolia WS 1 Oryza sativa AC 30 Oryza sativa BL 18 Oryza sativa 38

34 WIEWS Biological Number of Institution Taxon (2) code status accessions Oryza sativa LR 16 TWN001 Asian Vegetable Research and Development Abelmoschus sp. 2 Center Amaranthus sp. 2 Cajanus cajan 1 Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum 1 Capsicum chinense 9 Capsicum frutescens 1 Capsicum sp. 1 Cucumis sp. 1 Glycine max 6 Psophocarpus tetragonolobus 1 Solanum sp. (eggplant type) 1 Vigna radiate 1 Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis 6 USA003 Northeast Regional Plant Introduction Station, Solanum lycopersicum LR 1 Plant Genetic Resources Unit, USDA-ARS, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University USA016 Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Arachis hypogaea 4 Southern Regional Plant Introduction Station, University of Georgia, USDA-ARS Capsicum chinense 9 Capsicum frutescens 2 Capsicum sp. 2 Cucurbita moschata LR 1 Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis 1 Vigna vexillata 1 USA020 North Central Regional Plant Introduction Amaranthus dubius 1 Station, USDA-ARS, NCRPIS Zea mays ssp. Mays LR 7 USA029 National Small Grains Germplasm Research Oryza sativa AC 11 Facility, USDA-ARS Oryza sativa BL 5 Oryza sativa LR 49 USA033 Soybean Germplasm Collection, USDA-ARS Glycine max LR 14 USA047 Subtropical Horticultural Research Unit, Saccharum officinarum 1 National Germplasm Repository - Miami, USDA USA049 Crop Germplasm Research Unit USDA, ARS Gossypium barbadense 5 Gossypium hirsutum WS 1 USA970 Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Oryza sativa LR 17 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services Oryza sativa BL 2 Oryza sativa AC 4 USA995 National Center for Genetic Resources Tephrosia candida 1 Preservation Tephrosia maxima 1 VEN132 INIA - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Glycine max AC 2 Agropecuarias

35 6. THE STATE OF USE

The plant genetic resources of Suriname are used for various purposes.

6.1. Use of genetic material in the horticultural and agricultural sector

Horticultural activities are mainly carried out by small farmers. Sources for vegetable seed are farmers and imports. For the commercial cultivation of several vegetable crops farmer-saved seed plays a very important role (e.g. eggplant, African eggplant, yard long beans, and common beans). For several crops farmers also use imported seeds (e.g. cabbage, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, gherkin, sweet pepper, tomato, celery).

Fruit tree crops species are multiplied vegetatively (e.g. bananas, pine apple) or are reproduced from seed (e.g. rambutan).

In rice improvement programmes local and introduced germplasm are used.

Numerous agricultural and horticultural products are utilized in the Agro-processing sector. This is a sector with great potential and importance in the development of agriculture and agro industry in Suriname. This sector is mainly comprised of small and medium-sized enterprises that produce goods for the local and export market.

Plant genetic resources are also a source of animal feed and forage.

Every year students from the Technical College and from the Faculty of Technology of the ADEK University of Suriname visit the germplasm collections at the Experimental Gardens La Poule and Dirkshoop for educational purposes.

6.2. Use of genetic material for medicinal purposes

About 600 indigenous plants are used for medicinal purposes. A famous medicinal plant, used over a great part of the world, concerns Quassia amara (“Kwasibita”). Other medicinal plants include:  Bixa orellana (“koeswe”); is used against inflammation of mouth and throat.  Cecropia surinamensis (“Oema boesi papaja”); is used for treatment of kidney disorders, nervous diseases and heart conditions.  Ruellia tuberosa (“Watra kanoe”); is used for kidney ailments and for diabetics.  Hura crepitans (“Possentrie”); is used against skin problems.  Phyllantus amarus (“fini bita”); is used against venereal diseases, colds, influenza, and as a diuretic.  Lippia geninata (“Blakka tiki minti”); is used against stomach problems.  Piper marginatum (“Anesi wiwiri”); is used against stomach disorders and nervous conditions.

6.3. Use of crop species as Ornamentals

Many plants that are present in the forest of Suriname can be used as ornamentals and could become of economic importance for local growers of ornamentals. These plants include: Orchid species, fern species, and varieties of the Bromeliaceae, Araceae and Musaceae family.

36 6.4. Conservation as integral part of sustainable development in Suriname

 Nature tourism  "Non-timber forest products"  Community artisanry  Bioprospecting

The establishment of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve is expected to be a cornerstone of Suriname's commitment to conservation-based development and gives the country a new leadership role in global biodiversity conservation. Conservation International and the Government of Suriname are seeking new partnerships with the corporate sector to generate environmentally friendly alternatives for development and to create a specific policy to promote investments in this. The encouragement of new investments in the private sector is one of our biggest challenges in the years to come. The following is a non-exhaustive list of possibilities that exist for sustainable development in and around the Central Suriname Nature Reserve.

Nature tourism Suriname has tremendous nature tourism potential, and, in fact, was one of the first countries to carry out successful rain forest tourism in the 1970s. The new Reserve should help the country re-establish this sector and tap into the rapidly growing international nature tourism market, which is currently estimated at $ 200 billion. Several countries in the Caribbean have already been successful in developing nature-based tourism, notably Costa Rica and Belize. Suriname has major nature tourism attractions, including large tracts of rain forest wilderness, outstanding coastal ecosystems, and cultural attractions.

"Non-timber forest products" The potential of non-timber forest products has only recently been tapped in Suriname. These include latexes, resins, tannins, fibers, and oils of various kinds for personal care products.

Community artisanry Small-scale timber utilization for local use and for high quality value-added products, such as furniture or indigenous art, has considerable appeal in Suriname. The woodcarving skills of the Bush Negroes (Maroons), have enabled them to produce some of the finest wood products in the Americas. At this time, there is very little marketing of these products from Suriname, but there is definite potential for both high- and low-value tourist souvenirs, as well as for export. The Amerindian communities of Suriname's coast and the far interior are also skilled artisans, who work mainly with cloth, beads, seeds and other forest products, and their handicrafts could readily be marketed to tourists as well. As with non-timber forest products, community artisanry is unlikely to generate major foreign exchange, but could be quite significant to local communities.

Bioprospecting Bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical resources. Conservation International has been working on a bioprospecting program with the Saamaka and Tareno peoples of Suriname for over ten years. Bioprospecting offers opportunities for working with large companies, in this case the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers-Squibb, while at the same time providing employment, an increase in local technological capacity and funding for community development. Another benefit of bioprospecting is a more profound knowledge of phyto-

37 medicine, local cures used in perhaps just one or two villages that have potential relevance to the entire country. Such cures are likely to be important for tropical diseases such as malaria and Leishmaniasis that are of direct concern to tropical countries like Suriname, but of less interest to major international pharmaceutical companies with their largely northern markets. Bioprospecting projects could help Suriname tap into the growing international market for herbals.

6.5. Trade in wild flora and fauna

A low level of trade in wild flora and fauna existed in Suriname for many years. This has never been considered a serious threat to the flora and fauna of the country. An export quota system for all wild life species was established in 1987, which requires wild life dealers to have a license. All exports of wild flora and fauna have to be accompanied by an export permit. In addition, as a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Suriname required for all species of wild fauna and flora exports a CITES permit.

Suriname has ratified the CBD in 1996; it became obligatory to include biodiversity in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. In the EA guidelines for forestry projects The National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) indicated the method for collecting baseline information on biodiversity. Attention must be paid to: - Types and dispersion of species - Interaction between species - Vulnerability of plant and animal species - Important lifecycle patrons of wild flora and fauna - Existing protected areas, plant and animal species.

6.6. Guidelines for Environmental Assessment.

Most projects are subjected to the administrative system of the Government, e.g. sugarcane, biofuel project needs land lease, which can be obtained at the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Land and Forest Management (RGB) and The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.

Before the permit will be issued, NIMOS will receive the application for the permit, and will submit an advice. In case an Environmental Assessment (EA) is needed, NIMOS will discuss the procedures for conducting an EA with the applicant. An EA consists of four phases, namely: - screening - scoping - assessment - reviewing, decision and monitoring. The information on the project will be sent to NIMOS for advice. In order to make a decision whether or not an EA is needed, the applicant will be required to submit, along with the application, an executive or non-technical summary of the proposed project and its alternatives (alternatives to the project and alternatives to the project process / methods). This summary should include information on:  Name, address and contact point of the applicant;  Location, site characteristics, design, size and duration of project;  A non-technical explanation of the project, including purpose;  Demonstration of need and justification;  Detailed site plan, including a map;

38  Possible impacts on the environment;  Other information on request.

The application will be screened, this is called the Screening phase. NIMOS acknowledges three categories:  Category A: EA is mandatory  Category B: Either an EA will be required or some other form of environmental document (e.g. I.E.E); some environmental information is required before a decision can be made whether or not an EA is needed.  Category C: no EA is required

Next is the Scoping phase, to enable the preparation of the appropriate terms of reference for the EA study of each specific project proposal. After assessing the Terms of Reference (TOR), NIMOS will issue project specific guidelines for the content of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Assessment should be conducted according to the TOR for the content of the EIS approved by NIMOS. The review is the activity in the EA process that enables to assess the technical quality, accuracy and completeness of the EIS. It ensures that the EIS presents all the relevant information necessary for an informed decision-making regarding the project appreciation.

The responsibility of the reviewing phase lies with NIMOS. The EA review phase requires a multidisciplinary approach; therefore, a multidisciplinary team should also perform the EA review under supervision of the Office of Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA Office) within NIMOS. During this phase the applicant is advised to conduct stakeholder and public meetings with those that will have indirect and indirect impact of the project. This is mandatory as they are part of the EA process.

This stage of the EA system enables NIMOS and the permitting agency to make a decision based on the findings of the EA study as well as a post-decision evaluation of the proposed project.

Apart from the information on the quality, accuracy and completeness of the EA study it is suggested that the EA review team, also reports on the justification of the approval (or denial) of the project. The advice from NIMOS is based on the Review Report and compiled into a letter for the decision-maker or the permitting agency.

39 7. THE STATE OF NATIONAL PROGRAMMES, TRAINING AND LEGISLATION

7.1. National Programmes

For agronomic and horticultural crops at the moment there are no structured national programmes in Suriname with focus on well-organized plant genetic resources activities. For these crops elements related to plant genetic resources exist, but linkage between these elements is lacking. With regards to forestry species, however, the Government of Suriname has a long-standing commitment to nature preservation and biodiversity conservation.

National Biodiversity Steering Committee. In 2005 a National Biodiversity Steering Committee (NBSC) was installed by the Minister of Environment, Technological Development and Labour. In October 2008 this Committee was re-installed. In 2011 the term of this committee came to an end.

The considerations for installing the Inter-Departmental National Biodiversity Steering Committee were: In the framework of effectively and efficiently coordinating the execution of the National Biodiversity Strategy, that indicates the outline for the national implementation of the UN Treaty, for preparing the National Biodiversity Action Plan and for drafting national reports on the implementation of the UN Treaty a National Biodiversity Steering Committee was essential.

In this committee the following ministries/institutes/organisations were represented: - The Ministry of Environment, Technological Development and Labour (2 members) - The Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation (1 member) - The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (1 member) - The Ministry of Town and Country Planning, Land and Forest Management (1 member) - The Anton de Kom (Adek) University of Suriname (1 member) - The National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) (1 member) - The Association of Amer Indian Village Captains (1 member) - The Association for Community Development and Autonomy (1 member). There were two observers: - One representative from Suriname Conservation Foundation (SCF) and - One representative from The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The duties of this committee were: - Monitoring and evaluating activities in the framework of implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy; - Monitoring and evaluating activities in the framework of preparing The National Biodiversity Action Plan; - Monitor and evaluate activities in the framework of preparing The National Report; - Assist in incorporating The National Biodiversity Strategy and The Action Plan in national development programmes and plans; - Exchange information and experience between relevant institutes regarding project proposals on research regarding biodiversity, data collection on fauna species, flora species, ecosystems and other. Also collecting and documenting all

40 research/survey reports regarding projects concerned, including the (financial) support.

The NBSC developed a strategic plan for Biodiversity and an action plan.

National Coordination Committee on Plant Genetic Resources It was deemed necessary for our country to undertake serious measures for the conservation of genetic material and to create awareness under the Surinamese community on the value, the use and the threats arising from genetic material. The need was identified for a national system for the coordination of activities and the information on PGR and plant genetic material in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of activities and to oversee the efficient use of funds. Based on this recognized need on 22 December 2011 a National Committee for the coordination of activities on PGR was installed by the honorable minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Mr. H.S. Setrowidjojo

Objectives of the national pgr coordinating committee

General objective: Promote the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR).

Specific objectives: - Develop an action plan to monitor the conservation, characterization, documentation, evaluation, collection and utilization of potentially valuable plant genetic material; - Promote the use of local PGRFA; - Contribute to food security through the promotion of effective use of PGRFA; - See to the identification, evaluation and monitoring of the protection of rare genetic resources, possibly belonging to endangered species; - Preparation and execution of public awareness activities; - Improvement of existing activities on the management of PGR; - Participate in international programs on PGR(FA).

Considerations that contributed to the committee

Considering that:

 The agricultural sector in Suriname is of crucial importance for food supply and employment;  Plant genetic resources are the mechanism responsible for crop propagation, increased agricultural production and productivity, and sustainability in agriculture and therefore contribute to the development of countries and guarantee a permanent food supply;  Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are the basis for crop research and crop breeding;  Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are a significant input for farmers and are therefore the biological basis for food security;  With a view on diversification of agricultural production, improvement of product quality and improvement of environmental management, attention should be given to species and varieties which are or of which can be expected to have economic importance for agriculture, horticulture or forestry in Suriname;

41  Activities on conservation, characterization, collection and the use of genetic resources in agriculture could be beneficial to the diversification efforts in agriculture, conservation of biodiversity, the improvement of the quality of agricultural products and, for diminishing the inputs and therefore for the costs of production in agriculture;  Genetic resources with a view on the conservation of biological and genetic diversity in agriculture and forestry, are an irreplaceable reserve of biological and genetic resources and should therefore be protected;  Activities on plant genetic resources in agriculture, horticulture and forestry show a large dimension and are of concern to each of the stakeholders in agriculture, horticulture and in forestry, but at present a specifically coordinated action program for this area is not in place and there are no systematic procedures in Suriname for the collection and conservation of genetic material;  All necessary measures should be taken to conserve, characterize, collect and use plant genetic resources for meeting the objectives of the agricultural policy and the conservation of biodiversity, in accordance with the agreement for conservation of biodiversity (Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD), signed in June 1992 and ratified in 1996 by Suriname;  The characterization, collection and use of genetic resources in agriculture shall imply that those activities are as much as possible organized in general interest, that their results are exploited in an efficient way, that these activities are directed to tailor the needs of the agricultural policy and are in accordance with the CBD and that the means for carrying out the activities are brought together;  Activities on policy level must be tailored to, namely, improvement of the quality of agricultural products;  The current activities in this area seem to be insufficient, either due to their nature, due to insufficient knowledge, or due to insufficient means;  It is desirable to harmonize existing actions and provide joint support to new actions;  Coordination of the conservation, characterization, collection and use of genetic resources in agriculture, horticulture and forestry will improve the effectiveness of current activities;  With the view on the intended coordination and with regard to the geographic spread and genetic reserves and the need for directed actions, a close and permanent cooperation between national organizations/institutes for conservation, characterization, collection and use of genetic resources is desirable;  For the coordination of national activities extensive and in-depth knowledge is needed about the state of affairs on conservation, characterization, collection and use of genetic resources in agriculture, horticulture end forestry; that this knowledge must be inventoried and that the terms and conditions for giving users access to the collected data must be established;  It must be assured that the results of the activities on conservation, characterization, collection and use of genetic resources in agriculture become available to stakeholders;  The dissemination of and the information on the results must be promoted in order to attain an as broad and significant as possible implementation of the action plan, which entails that this is supplemented with the reports on the results of the activities.

Duties of the committee  Support coordination of activities of the various (research) institutes with regard to management of plant genetic resources (introduction, collection, characterization, evaluation, description and conservation) and the use of plant genetic resources;

42  Establish and update a work plan/action plan with regard to the collection, characterization, conservation and the use of genetic resources in agriculture;  Assist in the execution of the NISM (National Mechanism for the Exchange of Information) in the framework of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA);  Coordinate national inventories of plant genetic resources;  Make sure that useful results from inventories and of research on plant genetic material is provided to farmers in order to increase the sustainable use of biodiversity;  Promote the exchange of information on plant genetic material between national and international institutes;  See to the dissemination and improvement of the measures for conservation, characterization, collection and use of the genetic resources in agriculture by organizing, among others, presentations, training, workshops;  Develop public awareness activities to create awareness among the Surinamese community on the values, use and threats arising for plant genetic material;  Establish collaboration linkages with international organizations for capacity building on PGR management and for making technical expertise available;  Prepare regulations which guarantee the storage of newly imported genetic material in quarantine, while in this period the material is investigated on pest and diseases as to avoid contamination of locally cultivated crops;  Prepare the signing and ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and then monitor the compliance with the decisions of the ITPGRFA. The objective of the Treaty is the conservation and the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits resulting from its use.

Composition committee The committee consists of representatives of national Institutes, engaged in plant genetic resources, and is responsible for among others, national policy, guidelines, the necessary legislation on conservation and exchange of genetic material.

Composition of the Committee: MAAHF – PGRFA Focal Point Representatives of: MAAHF – Department of Research MAAHF – Extension Department, Region Hinterland SNRI - ADRON CELOS (Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname) University of Suriname – BBS (National Herbarium Suriname) University of Suriname – IGSR (Institute for Graduate Studies and Research) RGB – Forestry Service ATM – Directorate of Environmental SCF (Suriname Conservation Foundation) ACT Suriname (Amazon Conservation Team Suriname).

Suriname Conservation Foundation (SCF) The Suriname Conservation Foundation (SCF) is the sustainable Surinamese environment fund that is devoted to the protection of biodiversity in general and the protected areas of Suriname in particular. The Suriname Conservation Foundation was established as a foundation under Surinamese law on March 14th, 2000. The

43 establishment was executed in a partnership between the Republic of Suriname and Conservation International (CI).

Table 4: Projects of Suriname Conservation Foundation over the period 2002-2011

Conservation International Suriname Conservation projects The organization Conservation International Suriname (CI), which has been active in Suriname since 1991, coordinates several conservation projects. Conservation International Suriname uses an integrated approach that draws on both knowledge and expertise of trained Surinamese conservationists as well as on CI's on-the-ground experience in more than thirty countries. CI-Suriname's initiatives include:  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects that document and map natural resource use by both the Saamaka communities north of the Brokopondo lake and the Tareno community (known in scientific literature under the name of Trio) of Kwamalasamutu in southwestern Suriname.  Protected areas management projects that contribute towards the rehabilitation of the former Raleighvallen Nature Reserve and Brownsberg Nature Park.  Ethnobotanical projects that include the International Cooperative Biodiversity Group's (ICBG) Bioprospecting Program, an initiative with the Saamaka and Tareno peoples that identifies and screens tropical plants for potential medicinal uses on an international scale. Other partners in this project include Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Missouri Botanical Garden, Bristol Myers-Squibb and BGVS (“Bureau Geneesmiddelen Voorziening Suriname” - Suriname's national pharmaceutical company). CI's ethnobotanical work also includes the Shaman's Apprentice Program, a scientific education program that works to preserve indigenous knowledge of plants for the benefit of local people.  Economic development projects that seek to promote economic alternatives. An important component of this work is the promotion of nature tourism development. CI has given technical assistance to community-owned nature tourism projects, provided input in national nature tourism strategies and legislation, and initiated in-country nature tourism campaigns. CI is also promoting the development of non-timber forest products as an economic development alternative for Suriname.  CI's tourism development activities in Suriname include the design of a tourism development plan for three key areas, the CSNR, The Upper Suriname River, and the cultural tourism of Paramaribo.

44 Environmental Policy development projects, as well as active involvement in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy, the National Strategy for Rural Sustainable Development, the National Strategy for Environmental Education and Awareness, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT), the development of the petroglyph site Werehpai, GEF small-grants program, the Sipaliwini Nature reserve, identification of and assistance for community-based projects.

Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) Plant Genetic Resources activities at the ACT  Pepper project in Tepu: 2007-2012 A programme, involving women in Tepu, on cultivating and processing pepper from raw pepper into dried and grinded pepper.  Crop inventory Kwamalasamutu/ Kawemhaken/Apetina: 2006-/2008 Research: Utilization of plants by the Amer-Indians, in comparison with the use by the Marroons in order to be able to determine the differences. This study was done in Kwamalasamutu and Kayana. Crops list: food crops, vegetables, spices and nuts. Kwamalasamutu: control of leafcutter ants. Do the leafcutter ants have preference to certain varieties or not? In this regard several cassava varieties have been described.  Macro-fungi inventory Tepu: 2008 Involved: Celos, NHS (BBS) and ACT Suriname. Tepu : 10 Transect trails done by park rangers . Trio name, use and scientific name registered in a publication.  Herbal tea: 2010-2011 Siweruime (Costas spp.) research on cultivation and processing in a herbal tea. The results were registered in a report.  Medicinal plants: 1982-2006 Dissertation: Ethno botanic description of medicinal plants and use in Kwamalasamutu. Dissertation: Ethno botanic comparison of plant use between Trios and Saramakaners.

MAAHF-FAO PGR-NISM project During the period December 2010 - March 2012 in Suriname the MAAHF-FAO project “PR 45708 - The establishment of a National Information Sharing Mechanism on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“Global Plan of Action”) and the preparation of a Country Report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (“Country Report”), was executed in Suriname.

The results of this project were:  Increased awareness on the importance of PGR;  Improved exchange of information on PGR, nationally;  Knowledge obtained on the GPA application;  A NISM network is being established (in progress)  A national coordinating committee on pant genetic resources was installed (December 2011)  A PGR website was developed (www.pgrfa.org/gpa/sur);  An up to date country paper on the Status of Plant Genetic Resources in Suriname was prepared.

45 7.2. Training

A few professionals from the Research Department of the MAAHF and from the Faculty of Technology of the ADEK University of Suriname attended short basic training courses abroad in the area of plant genetic resources management. Nationally there are no experts, specifically in the area of plant genetic resources management. In September 2011 two professionals from the Research Department of the MAAHF attended one-week training on plant genetic resources policy issues at EMBRAPA. From April 16th – May 4th 2012 two professionals attended the training course “Contemporary approaches to genetic resources conservation and use” at the Centre for Development Innovation at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

A few professionals and technicians attended short training courses in different aspects of seed technology (nationally, regionally and internationally). There is one professional with a graduate degree in seed technology. There are a few professionals with a graduate degree in plant breeding.

Training to qualify scientists, researchers and technicians in the area of plant genetic resources management is essential. Therefore, in March 2012 the MAAHF submitted a request to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations for a Technical Cooperation Project on “Capacity building in the area of plant genetic resources and plant genetic material”.

7.3. Legislation

Legislation on import and export of animals (wildlife, pets, farm animals, and poultry), plants and micro-organisms can be found in the legislation listed below:  Game Act of 1954, amended in 1980, 1982, 1986 and 1994  Law on Forest Management of 1992  Game Resolution of 1970, amended in 1973  Annual Ministerial Game Decrees  Law on Regulation for Import and Export of 1954  Nature Protection Act of 1954  Fish Stock Protection Act of 1961, amended in 1963  The Fish Stock Protection Resolution of 1961  Sea Fisheries Decree of 1980  Aquaculture Act  State Resolution Negative List of 1999, amended in 2000  Regulation on the Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases, 1954  Plant Protection Act of l965 no. 102  Seed Act of 2005  Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act.

Existing legislation on Plant Quarantine and Plant Propagation

Plant Protection Act of 1965 (Plantbeschermingsverordening, G.B. 1965 no. 102 as amended by S.B. 1980 no 116) Suriname is party to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which aims at maintaining and increasing international cooperation in controlling pests and diseases of plants and plant products, and the prevention of their introduction and spread across national boundaries. The current Plant Protection Act is based on the 1951 text of the

46 IPPC. The act is outdated and does not reflect either modern phytosanitary concepts or international norms agreed-upon. For example the act does not contain provisions related to biosafety. The Plant Protection and Quality Control Division (Plant Quarantine Division) of the Ministry of Agriculture is the responsible authority.

For the import of plants, plant parts, and seed approval is needed from the Plant Quarantine Division of the MAAHF. (State Resolution Negative List, 2000). Article 11(1) of the Seed Act (2005) indicates that a permit is needed for the import of seed (including vegetatively propagated planting material) into Suriname. Before ordering plants, plant parts, and seed, the importer needs approval to import this material from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAHF). The Ministry of Trade and Industry issues permit to import. The Plant Quarantine Division is the responsible authority for granting the approval. At present seed and vegetative propagation material is imported and when needed tested on the presence of pests (weed seed, fungi, bacteria, nematodes). The Plant Quarantine Division does not execute the screening but several Plant Protection Divisions at the Research Department of the MAAHF. Quarantine plays an important factor to be able to move genetic material through the borders. Plant genetic resources accessions should meet the requirements stated in the Plant Protection Act of l965 no. 102.

Draft Plant Protection Act (Ontwerp Plantenbeschermingswet) Currently there is a draft plant protection act at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. This model was prepared based on the model that was prepared by the FAO especially for CARICOM countries and is in line with IPPC 1997 text. The objective of this act is to prevent the introduction and spread of pests of plants and to protect the resources by facilitating the trade in plants and plant products and the regulation of relevant issues. With regard to LMOs, it can be stated that this draft provides the opportunity to prohibit or restrict the entry of certain plants, plant products and other regulated goods into the country. Both exotic plants and LMOs can be prohibited when they can be harmful to the local flora. The newly drafted Plant Protection Act was reviewed by and discussed with relevant stakeholders. It has been submitted to the Legal Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police for screening.

The Seed Act of 2005 The Seed Act was formalized in 2005. The Seed Act encompasses regulations for the production, quality and sale of seed. The objective is to sustain increase in production of seed and guarantee improvement of quality. ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) norms will be applied. Also seed quality control and certification will be done according to the ISTA rules. The Seed Act is a framework. All implementation regulations with regard to technical aspects will be by means of Government Decrees.

Seed regulations of 2008 In December 2008 The Seed Regulations were approved by the High State Council.

Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act A Draft Plant Breeders’ Right Act has been developed which aims at the protection of improved plant varieties and the increase of the productivity in both agriculture and horticulture and the protection of the grower. Breeder’s right is also regulated as an Intellectual property right in this draft. The Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act has been screened by the Legal Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police and was returned to the MAAHF for adjustment.

47 Legislation on the Introduction of Species

Plant Protection Act of 1965 (Plantbeschermingsverordening, G.B. 1965 no. 102 as amended by S.B. 1980 no 116) (Refer to information listed under the heading “Existing legislation on Plant Quarantine and Plant Propagation”)

Legislation on Conservation and Protection of Species

The Nature Protection Act of 1954 is the legislative cornerstone for conservation in Suriname. The act recognizes that establishing protected areas is important to scientific knowledge, recreation and education, as well as for ethical and economic reasons. To qualify as a nature reserve, an area must be noteworthy because of its biodiversity or varied landscape, or as a result of fauna, flora or geological features of scientific or cultural value.

The Forest Management Act of 1992. In this law is included some legislation relating to nature conservation and the trade of wood products. Presently new legislation is under preparation.

Although there is no specific wildlife trade legislation enacted in Suriname, Article 15 paragraph 2 of the Game Act and Article 49 paragraph 4 of the Law on Forest Management are used to apply the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) in Suriname for animals and plants respectively. The Head of the Nature Conservation Division (NCD) of the Suriname Forest Service, which is part of the MNR, acts as the CITES Management Authority on behalf of the head of the Forest Service. The Scientific Authority in Suriname is the Nature Conservation Commission. However this commission has not been active for several years. Some funds were set aside to reactivate the commission but no substantive progress was made so far. Some “CITES appendix II-species” are not protected by the Game Law. However all specimens of wild game and flora require a permit for export or import, based on the State Resolution Negative List.

Legislation on Intellectual Property Rights

National legislation with regard to Intellectual Property Rights is outdated and not adjusted to recent developments. This implies that the law in Suriname cannot satisfactorily protect Intellectual Property Rights. If it is the Governments intention to actively take part in international trade, it is highly recommended that the intellectual property rights law and – institutions are adapted.

A few existing laws that are applicable to Intellectual Property Rights are listed below:

Patent Act, 1910 (Octrooiwet 1910, G.B. 1969 no. 43) The Suriname patent right is based on a Patent Act of 1910. The patent right is an exclusive right granted to the inventor of a novel product, method or an improvement of an industrial product. A patent, once granted gives the patent holder the exclusive right: The application for obtaining a patent should be forwarded to the Office for Industrial Property.

48 In case of a biotechnology product the Patent Act could be an opportunity for registration. For genetically engineered products the system existing in Suriname has no possibilities for registration. The possibilities to protect traditional knowledge from indigenous communities could possibly be included in the Patent Act. With this, indigenous knowledge can be handled as a trade secret, only when commercialized properly. The outdated Surinamese laws can protect traditional knowledge to a certain extent, but provide no full protection for the intellectual contribution.

The Civil Code (Burgelijk Wetboek, G.B. 1968 no. 14 as last amended by S.B. 1995 no. 101). This regards the provisions on product liability and misleading advertisement. It is stated in Article 1401j that misleading can concern the nature, composition, the amount, the quality, characteristics and options for use of products or services. This can be applicable if it regards information dissemination or misleading advertisement with regards to LMOs.

Draft legislation on Intellectual Property Rights

Draft Act on Intellectual property rights The Intellectual Property Office has been working on a Draft Intellectual Property Rights Act. This draft provides provisions regarding trade names, patent, geographical origin. According to the information on this draft, the issue of LMOs is not taken into consideration while drafting the bill.

Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act A Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act has been developed which aims at the protection of improved plant varieties and the increase of the productivity in both agriculture and horticulture and the protection of the grower. Breeder’s right is also regulated as an Intellectual property right in this draft. The Draft Plant Breeder’s Right Act has been screened by the Legal Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police and was returned to the MAAHF for adjustment.

Intellectual Property Rights For several years there have been discussions, internationally on the legal protection of germplasm. An answer to the question whether or not patent should be requested for germplasm was not yet agreed upon. In fact, for material that could be of commercial value, the rights and obligations of collectors should have been decided. For developing countries, like Suriname, protection of plant genetic resources would be useful. This could ensure that when germplasm is exploited the benefits will be shared between private investors and national governments. In brief it may be stated that “Intellectual Property Protection” will lead to regulations on access to germplasm and on collecting, improvement, exchange and use of germplasm.

Suriname is party to several international treaties/conventions, both global and regional, which focus to varying extents on management of wildlife, animals and plants that recognize the vital need for environmental protection. These treaties include:

Draft Environmental Law The provisions of the Environmental Act concentrate around the management, conservation and protection of the environment in general. For smooth implementation

49 and enforcement the Act on the Establishment of the Environmental Authority, NIMOS will be transformed into the Environmental Authority whose main task is to enforce the Environmental Act.

Basel and Stockholm Convention The entry to these two conventions has been approved by The National Assemble. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started the process of sending the ratification instrument to the Convention Secretary to accept Suriname as a signatory to the Convention.

CBD Convention and Biosafety Protocol Suriname’s National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) The NBS of Suriname provides a basis and a framework for the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) which will identify the activities, tasks, outcomes, milestones and the responsible actors needed to implement the strategic directions. The use and management of biodiversity remains a critical element in the maintenance and development of traditional societies and an emerging modern economy. The seven goals of the strategy include: 1) conserve biodiversity 2) sustainable use of biological resources 3) facilitate access to biological resources to promote equitable developments in biotechnology and safe handling and transport of genetic materials 4) regulate and monitor access to genetic resources and the associated traditional knowledge and equitable benefit-sharing 5) enhance natural resources management capacity 6) public awareness, education and community empowerment, and 7) promote local and regional cooperation and collaboration in implementation.

In 2005 the National Biosafety Framework for Suriname was drafted by the Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment (ATM). The implementation has not been conducted.

Other treaties include:  the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (1971);  the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972);  the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1973);  the Treaty for Amazonian Cooperation (1978);  The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;  the International Plant Protection Convention; and  the Conservation projects and Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992).

50 8. THE STATE OF REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

With regard to plant genetic resources Suriname collaborates/used to collaborate with several international organizations:

 The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nation (the FAO).  The Inter American Institute for Collaboration on Agriculture (the IICA). Via IICA Suriname could have access to the following fruit germplasm gene banks:  USDA/TARS Puerto Rico Germplasm Inventory  Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami Florida  Phyto Genetic Resources, CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica  Fruit Germplasm Collection, TREC, University of Florida, U.S.A.  Tropical Fruit Germplasm, CIRAD/FLHOR, Guadeloupe  Mango Germplasm, CIRAD/FLHOR, Guadeloupe  Citrus Germplasm, CIRAD/FLHOR, Martinique  Pineapple Germplasm, CIRAD/FLHOR, Martinique  Mango Germplasm/CEVACU/Aguaruto, INIFAP, Mexico.  CIMMYT (The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) Until about 15 years ago there was a programme with CIMMYT for evaluating new maize varieties under Suriname’s agro-ecological conditions.  IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) and CIAT (Centro International de Agricultura Tropical). From IRRI, in the Phillippines, and CIAT, in Columbia, rice germplasm is received. This germplasm is being utilised by ADRON/SNRI for plant breeding activities.  AVRDC (Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre). In the past The Vegetables Division of the Experiment Station of the MAAHF received vegetable seed from the AVRDC, located in Taiwan, for evaluation under Surinamese conditions.  ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) - India. In the past Sorghum and peanut seed was obtained from ICRISAT for evaluation.  EMBRAPA (“Empresa Brasileira de pesquisa Agropecuaria” - The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation). From Brazil over the past years CELOS obtained cassava and soybean germplasm for evaluation. The Research Department of the MAAHFduring the period 2006 – 2009 carried out a project in collaboration with EMBRAPA “Training Program for Technicians and Farmers in Techniques of Cashew Industry in Suriname”. It was agreed that one of the activities of this project would be the introduction of cashew, Anacardium occidentale, varieties from EMBRAPA in Suriname for evaluation and possible use. In September 2011 two professionals from the Research Department of the MAAHF attended one-week training on plant genetic resources policy at EMBRAPA.

In October 1998 a mission from the MAAHF visited EMBRAPA (The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) and PROCITROPICOS (¨Programa Cooperativo de Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnología para los Trópicos Suramericanos¨), Brasilia, Brasil, to explore the potential for exchange of Plant Genetic Material. Unfortunately a structured exchange programme was not materialized as a follow-up of this mission. A few years ago our country signed a technical cooperation agreement with Brazil. As a result of this agreement the project “Training Program for Technicians and Farmers in Techniques of Cashew Industry in Suriname” was executed.

51 The Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (Celos) participates in PROCITROPICS (¨Programa Cooperativo de Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnología para los Trópicos Suramericanos¨) - the Cooperative Program on Research and Technology Transfer for the South American Tropics.

In 1978 The Amazon Cooperation Treaty was signed by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela with the goal to promote combined actions aiming at the harmonious development of the Amazon.

The Suriname State Forest Service has some form of collaboration with United Nations organizations, such as FAO, UNDP and UNEP. Because of lack of funds to pay the annual contribution the State Forest Service cannot benefit from collaboration with the International Timber Organization (ITTO) in Malaysia, Tropenbos in the Netherlands, ICRAF in Kenya and CIFOR in Indonesia. Suriname, i.e. the State Forest Service, could benefit tremendously if she could manage to pay the annual contributions and become of a member of the above-mentioned organizations.

Rice germplasm exchange and international collaboration Rice germplasm from Suriname was send to several institutes on a non-commercial basis. Material was sent to Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, The United States of America, The Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and the Ivory Coast. There is intensive collaboration with CIAT in Columbia and IRRI in The Philippines. ADRON is part of the “International Network for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice” (INGER). The plant breeder at ADRON is the national coordinator for Suriname. Through this network annually many lines and varieties are obtained for evaluation and for breeding purposes.

52 9. ACCESS TO PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES AND SHARING OF BENEFITS ARISING OUT OF THEIR USE, AND FARMER’S RIGHTS

Suriname has not yet passed specific legislation regulating Farmers’ Rights with respect to sharing of benefits deriving from PGR.

Suriname is a signatory (1992) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and consequently benefits from the international agreement with respect to access of genetic resources and sharing of benefits arising out of their use. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is related to access and benefit-sharing regarding plant genetic material for food and agriculture. The Treaty has as objectives conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as fair and equitable sharing of benefits deriving from their utilization. These objectives are expected to help augment crops genetic base and increase the number of species utilized to ensure food security. Suriname still needs to sign the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR). There is a direct link between the CBD and the ITPGRFA. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment, Technological Development and Labour are responsible for undertaking actions to sign the agreement on the ITPGRFA.

There are restrictions to entry of Plant Genetic Resources. The Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries is the regulatory body that ensures the safety of planting materials coming into Suriname. Prior to the import of plants, plant parts, and seed approval is needed from the Plant Quarantine Division of the MAAHF.

Some farmers meet their planting needs by utilizing planting materials from their own farms. An example is the use of Banana suckers from previously established plantings to plant elsewhere on the same or other farms.

Maintaining or improving access to Plant Genetic Resources is important for contribution to food security and poverty alleviation, and for conservation of biodiversity and environmental stability.

53 10. THE CONTRIBUTION OF PGRFA MANAGEMENT TO FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Research on genetic resources and plant breeding should be one of the most significant activities of the country, as it is expected to bring about results that will have considerable contribution to the further development of Suriname’s agriculture. The MAAHF and Celos have initiated a number of initiatives that should lead towards sustainable conservation of Plant Genetic Resources.

An intensive selection programme for food production should be targeted to the promotion of food security and health.

Growing interest in agriculture’s diversification and added value – in the forms of new food, fibres, flavours and feedstock for various (industrial) areas – will, without doubt, lead to improving the area of biodiversity, in the search for species, systems and processes in a diversification programme.

In order to ensure adequate supply of planting material, to intensify plant propagation operations, and to promote private initiative the MAAHF initiated in 1993 training courses in the field of plant propagation, in the first instance for the reproduction of fruit crops. The MAAHF also still has a programme to distribute planting materials to farmers in different regions to ensure sustainable production of agricultural produce.

Over the past years also courses for the production of true seed were conducted. Between 1991 and 2006 several training courses were conducted in collaboration with the FAO on aspects regarding improved rice seed production. In December 2011 and March 2012 the IICA, in collaboration with the MAAHF and an NGO, conducted training courses on Quality Seed Production of Chilli Pepper.

It is important that strategies and procedures are implemented in the future with the goal to access, organize and make knowledge and information available that can benefit traditional and indigenous communities, especially with on farm management as an agro-biodiversity promoting strategy.

54 11. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions • There is no clear policy with regard to plant genetic resources. In the “Country Position Paper and Agricultural Policy of Suriname” from May 1998 it is mentioned that a national and regional inventory of plant genetic resources is recommended. In this document it is also mentioned that the international community could assist us with training in the area of germplasm and management of PGR. Also is mentioned that useful results of the inventories and germplasm research should be communicated to farmers in order to increase sustainable use of biodiversity. • For many crops there is lack of quality seed. Seed production practices for several crops are inadequate. Improved Seed Production leading to the availability of germplasm with specific, desired characteristics is necessary. Germplasm is important in crop propagation. Seed is one form of germplasm. The availability of good quality seed is a requirement for successful crop production. For Suriname this is an important aspect, since within the National Development Programme the agricultural sector is expected to play a crucial role in improving the national economy. For crop production farmers will need germplasm with specific features. • Except for rice, introduced new crop varieties are not tested properly by research institutes; • Storage facilities are inadequate; • Proper conservation programmes are lacking; • Activities on the management of genetic resources are not yet properly coordinated; • There is lack of awareness on the importance of germplasm; • Regulations regarding management of genetic resources are found scattered in several laws and other pieces of legislation; • Collections are scarce and their conservation is constrained by lack of financial means and human capacity.

Recommendations  Serious actions need to be undertaken for conservation and use of germplasm. A national system is needed for coordinating activities and information on germplasm to prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts and for ensuring proper use of funds.  Several conservation sites for germplasm should be established nationally. This to reduce the risk of loss of germplasm in case, for some reason, one gene bank gets lost.  Institutional strengthening of the Plant Quarantine Division of the MAAHF. Currently, when germplasm is imported, this material is often not kept in quarantine for a certain period of time, during which period the imported material could be screened for pests and diseases. This occurs because of lack of an adequate infrastructure, adequate transportation, and manpower at the Plant Quarantine Division.  Exchange of information related to plant genetic resources between national and regional institutes needs to be improved.  In order to prevent loss of PGR (in order to prevent genetic erosion) it is necessary to create awareness on the importance, the use and the threats for PGR.  Training to qualify scientists and researchers in the area of plant genetic resources management is mandatory.  An inventory should be made of the plant genetic resources occurring in the interior.

55  Measurements should be taken to protect endangered plant species (by establishing additional nature reserves or nurseries (ex situ conservation).  To safeguard plant genetic resources for future utilization a work plan should be developed. The activities of the work plan should aim at:  Recovery of land races;  Characterization and purification of species that are already present in Suriname;  Selection of elite lines for breeding purposes;  Exchange of Germplasm with Regional and International Institutes;  Capacity building in the area of Germplasm management;  Suriname should invest in plant genetic resources and should approach international organizations that have adequate capacity and knowledge in this area, in order to be able to exploit her plant genetic resources optimally in the future.

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58 Annex 1. AREA AND PRODUCTION OF PADDY

AREA AND PRODUCTION OF PADDY ( 14% MOISTURE )

DESCRIPTION UNIT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 PADDY AREA: Cultivated area HA 50,790 50,790 50,790 50,790 50,790 50,790 50,790 Grown: Spring harvest ,, 21,583 23,022 21,769 21,521 19,903 26,255 26,840 Fall harvest ,, 27,437 22,541 22,463 20,566 23,751 28,237 26,715

AREA PLANTED " 49,020 45,563 44,232 42,087 43,654 54,492 53,555

Small Farmers ,, 23,950 23,027 23,589 23,135 24,223 24,193 25,542 Large-scale farmers ,, 25,070 22,536 20,643 18,952 19,431 30,299 28,013 Nickerie District ,, 45,695 42,984 41,766 40,311 41,648 52,371 51,660 Other Districts ,, 3,325 2,579 2,466 1,776 2,006 2,121 1,895 PADDY PRODUCTION: Spring harvest ton 67,710 79,149 89,579 90,322 83,980 110,560 118,624 Fall harvest " 106,780 84,806 93,080 88,690 98,897 118,810 108,062

TOTAL PRODUCTION " 174,490 163,955 182,659 179,012 182,877 229,370 226,686

Small Farmers ,, 89,515 89,970 101,960 101,627 102,272 114,322 102,272 Large-scale farmers ,, 84,975 73,985 80,699 77,391 127,098 112,364 127,098 Nickerie District ,, 163,466 155,300 174,212 173,485 175,284 221,751 219,551 Other Districts ,, 11,024 8,655 8,447 5,527 7,593 7,619 7,135 AVERAGE YIELD/HA Spring harvest Kg. 3,128 3.438 4.115 4.197 4.219 4.211 4.420 Fall harvest ,, 3,884 3.762 4.144 4.312 4.164 4.208 4.045 Country ,, 3,551 3.598 4.130 4.253 4.189 4.209 4.233 Small Farmers ,, 3,738 3.907 4.322 4.393 4.265 4.227 4.476 Large-scale farmers ,, 3,373 3.283 3.909 4.084 4.095 4.195 4.011 Nickerie District ,, 3,577 3.613 4.171 4.304 4.209 4.234 4.250 Other Districts ,, 3,194 3.356 3.425 3.112 3.785 3.592 3.765

(Source: MAAHF – Statistics Division)

59 Annex 2. RICE EXPORT DATA OVER THE PERIOD 2004 – 2010 RICE EXPORT 2004 – 2010

DESCRIPTION UNIT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

AMOUNT: Ton White rice ,, 34,348 13,974 30,138 31,732 24,217 22,597 52,443 Broken rice ,, 49 911 385 4,200 355 495 560 Cargo ,, 17,883 20,992 10,941 16,567 27,199 28,758 36,332

Parboiled rice 870 91 77

TOTAL ,, 52,280 35,877 41,464 52,499 52,641 51,941 89,412

VALUE: SRD1000 White rice ,, 23,895 10,461 23,945 28,912 41,376 27,009 61,685 Broken rice ,, 70 905 536 2,123 850 1,162 652 Cargo ,, 9,295 13,376 7,536 11,818 46,725 30,606 42,739

Parboiled rice 1,526 173 137

TOTAL ,, 33,260 24,742 32,017 42,853 90,477 58,950 105,213

AVERAGE EXPORT VALUE/TON SRD White rice ,, 696 749 795 911 1,709 1,195 1,176 Broken ,, 1,429 993 1,392 505 2,394 2,347 1,164 Cargo ,, 520 637 689 713 1,718 1,064 1,176

Parboiled rice “ 1,754 1,901 1,779 COUNTRY OF DESTINATION REGION AND COUNTRY:

Caribbean Region Ton Aruba ,, 837 94 1,072 2,241 143 141 279 Dominican Republic ,, 2,000 225 50 - - - - Guadeloupe ,, 92 253 276 923 1,993 542 182 Haiti ,, 5,300 500 10,152 12,128 5,600 2,218 14,594 Jamaica ,, 7,279 3,188 5,450 7,412 6,798 11,046 22,460 Martinique ,, 1,388 1,056 748 792 354 313 454 Netherlands Antilles ,, 735 3,506 25 1,549 32 50 - Trinidad ,, 24 52 313 138 1,049 719 698 Other ,, 25 1,625 200 - - 24 -

TOTAAL ,, 17,680 10,499 18,286 25,183 15,969 15,053 38,667

South America Brazil ,, 8,371 105 25 245 - - - Fr. Guyana ,, 887 442 387 622 495 889 2,074 Guyana ,, 5,698 1,503 11,740 8,006 7,000 11,910 2,892 Other ,, ------

TOTAL ,, 14,956 2,050 12,152 8,873 7,495 12,799 4,966

North and Mid America Belize ,, - - 50 - - - - VS ,, - - - - 250 - 150 Other ,, - 2,230 - 20 - - 3,201

60 TOTAL ,, - 2,230 50 20 250 0 3,351

Europe Belgium ,, 140 303 50 - - 175 879 Germany ,, 1,850 - - 626 25 - 23 France ,, 552 1,260 1,986 1,402 1,274 1,696 1,805 The Netherlands ,, 16,343 10,317 7,406 13,570 18,684 21,174 27,844 Portugal ,, 92 8,092 1,457 69 8,515 46 6,169 Switzerland ,, - 253 - - - - - Other ,, - 125 75 653 300 998 4,998

TOTAAL ,, 18,977 20,350 10,974 16,320 28,798 24,089 41,718

Other Regions ,, 667 749 0 2,102 129 0 710

GRAND TOTAL ,, 52,280 35,878 41,462 52,498 52,641 51,941 89,412

Source : Customs Office ( ASYCUDA System )

61 Annex 3. AREA PLANTED AND YIELD OF VEGETABLES

DESCRIPTION UNIT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Tomato Ha 58 48 54 62 48 65 70

Ton 674 574 670 779 627 1,065 1,048

Cabbage Ha 39 30 34 34 21 46 43

Ton 891 718 821 823 562 798 1,015

Common beans Ha 36 32 31 25 14 14 19

Ton 517 458 460 367 251 178 286

Yard long beans Ha 221 160 167 124 105 83 89

Ton 3,116 2,249 2,388 1,957 1,749 1,196 1,611

Tanya leaves Ha 45 47 66 35 23 29 35

Ton 1,070 837 1,205 877 658 670 851 Chinese Cabbage (Amsoi, Kaisoi and Paksoi) Ha 38 27 24 21 14 26 17

Ton 362 267 265 256 116 247 207

Eggplant Ha 83 76 81 45 53 25 36

Ton 2,193 2,043 2,215 1,245 1,579 630 1,072

Cucumber Ha 76 56 56 32 26 28 26

Ton 1,784 1,111 1,225 712 627 578 582

Pepper Ha 96 103 114 98 72 80 68

Ton 1,820 1,729 2,305 2,077 1,780 1,582 1,132

Pumpkin Ha 123 66 66 57 27 33 39

Ton 1,694 870 985 855 415 554 673

Bitter Gourd Ha 75 96 86 79 64 61 63

Ton 1,124 1,396 1,188 1,239 1,068 1,040 1,005

Okra Ha 49 40 66 59 62 117 104

Ton 334 326 929 756 893 1,713 1,511

African Eggplant Ha 67 60 70 49 38 46 42

Ton 1,260 1,101 1,363 936 859 940 880

Other vegetables Ha 105 106 126 95 75 83 90

Ton 1,697 1,444 1,781 1,488 1,334 1,153 1,306

TOTAL AREA PLANTED Ha 1,111 947 1,041 815 642 736 741

TOTAL PRODUCTION Ton 18,536 15,123 17,800 14,367 12,518 12,344 13,179

62 Annex 4. AMOUNT AND VALUE OF VEGETABLES EXPORTED

EXPORT OF VEGETABLES (Root crops included): UNIT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Amount Ton 2,732 2,873 2,390 2,783 2,936 2,757 3,239 SRD Value (X 1000) 2,925 3,724 3,587 4,408 4,665 4,193 5,289

Source: Export data : Customs Office ( ASYCUDA System)

Annex 5. AMOUNT EXPORTED AND EXPORT VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

AMOUNT EXPORTED AND EXPORT VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

DESCRIPTION Unit 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

AMOUNT:

Rice Ton 52,280 35,877 41,464 52,499 52,641 51,941 89,412 Bananas* ,, 20,121 38,388 47,005 57,135 65,750 58,132 70,239 Fish and Fish products ,, 9,563 11,926 13,935 15,307 2,936 2,757 3,239 Crustacean ,, 6,378 5,412 5,620 5,211 273 160 1,122 Vegetables and root crops ,, 2,732 2,873 2,390 2,783 332 339 401 Fruit (Bananas not included) ,, 621 522 297 282 257 145 102 ,, 339 204 256 206 16,704 20,356 21,235

Ber. of vegetables, fruits en plant parts ,, 39 96 34 169 4,173 3,332 6,692 TOTAL AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES ton 92,073 95,298 111,001 133,592 143,066 137,162 192,442

VALUE:

Rice SRD1000 33,260 24,742 32,017 42,853 90,477 58,950 105,213 Bananas* ,, 14,759 28,664 35,196 46,219 63,447 73,608 67,987 Fish and Fish products ,, 21,375 25,812 30,820 30,535 4,665 4,193 5,289 Crustacean ,, 78,479 69,603 61,648 64,502 374 217 1,238 Vegetables and root crops ,, 2,925 3,724 3,587 4,408 549 586 711 Fruit (Bananas not included) ,, 593 491 330 305 855 372 404 Flowers ,, 671 457 391 859 32,572 46,651 44,414

Ber. of vegetables, fruits en plant parts ,, 88 390 114 374 40,612 35,283 41,957

TOTAL EXPORT VALUE SRD1000 152,150 153,883 164,103 190,055 233,551 219,860 267,213

Note: * = Banana export commenced again in March 2004 Total Value = Total Agricultural Export

Source: Customs Office ( ASYCUDA )

63 Annex 6. OVERVIEW OF COLLECTIONS AT THE EXPERIMENTAL GARDENS, DIRKSHOOP (DH) AND LA POULE (PO) (SARAMACCA DISTRICT) PER FEBRUARY 2012 (RAMAUTAR, 2012).

Family Genus Species Variety Traditional name English Location Rutaceae Citrus Sinensis Kwatta 16- Sinaasappel Orange PO 22 PO, DH Alidjan PO, DH Valencia PO, DH Pera PO, DH Lamb PO, DH summer PO, DH Jaffa PO, DH Pine apple PO, DH Parson DH brown DH Navel Kwatta 202 Kwatta 71 Rutaceae djeroek lima PO Citrus amblicarpa sambal Rutaceae Tahiti lime DH Spine less of key DH lime Citrus aurantifolia Lemmetje West Indische DH Lemmetje LS Florida Lime DH Rutaceae Citrus aurantium zure oranjes PO, DH Rutaceae Citrus Jambhiri rough lemon PO Rutaceae Eureka DH Citrus Limon Citroen Citroen DH sukade Rutaceae Citrus Maxima Pompelmoes PO, DH Rutaceae Citrus Medica Sucade PO Rutaceae Citrus microcarpa PO Rutaceae Star Ruby PO, DH Thompson PO Citrus Paradise Grapefruit Marsh DH Hooghart DH Rutaceae Ortanique PO, DH Rode king PO, DH Gele king PO, DH Empress PO, DH Clementine PO, DH Cur.oranje/ponkan Dancy PO, DH Citrus Reticulate (Mandarijn Ponkan PO, DH rassen) Cur. Oranje PO, DH Mexirica de PO, DH Rio DH Copy manderijn Rutaceae reticulata x Minneola PO, DH Citrus Tangelo's paradise Orlando PO, DH Rutaceae reticulata. PO Citrus Tangors Sinensis Rutaceae Citrus Sinensis Sinaasappel PO Rutaceae Margarita PO, DH Fortunella margarita Kumquat Meiwa DH

Musaceae Suiker Banana PO Musa acuminata Bacove bacove

Theobromaceae Theobroma Cacao Cacao Cacao PO

Rubiaceae Coffea Arabica Koffie PO

64 Leguminosae Sunn hemp, PO Crotalaria Spp. Indian hemp

DH Anacaedeaccae Anacardium occidentale Kasjoe Cashew

Golek DH Aromanis DH Cayenne DH Ruby red DH Roodbortsje DH Aromanis DH Anacaedeaccae Mangifera Indica Titee Manja Mango DH Tommy DH atkins DH Terpentine DH Lippens DH Lorvin Singh

Guttiferae Garcinia mangostana Mangistan Mangosteen DH

Guttiferae Garcinia Dulcis Moendoe DH

Myrtaceae Pimenta racemosa Bayrun blad Bay DH

Annonaceae Annona Muricata Zuurzak Soursop DH

Averrhoaceae Averhoa carambola Fransman birambi Carambola DH

Averrhoaceae Averhoa Bilimbi Lange birambi Bilimbi DH

Moraceae Artocarpus heterophylia Nangka DH

Sapindaceae Blighia Sapida Akie Akee DH Sapindaceae Nephelium lappaceum Ramboetan DH

Lauraceae Persea Americana Garcia Advokaat Avocado DH

West Indische DH Malpigihiaceae Malphigia punicifolia W.I. Cherry kers

Surinaamse DH dwerg Palmae Cocos Nucifera Kokosnoot Coconut Ceylonese dwerg Palmae Awarra DH Palmae Bactris Gasipaes Paripoe Peach palm DH Palmae Amana DH Palmae Euterpe oleraceae Podosiri PO

Piperaceae Piper Nigrum Zwarte peper DH

Meliaceae Azadirachta Indica Neem DH

65 Annex 7. LIST OF COMMERCIAL FORESTRY WOOD SPECIES (Goedhar, 1996).

Laagland baboen Hoogland baboen Virola melinonii Myristicaceae Pintri baboen Myristicaceae Basralokus Dicorynia guianensis Papilionaceae Bolleti Manilkara bidentata Sapotaceae Bruinhart Vouacapoua Americana Papilionaceae Kopi Goupia glabra Celastraceae Kras pisi Ocotea glomerata Lauraceae Witte pisi Ocotea petalanthera Lauraceae Kleinbladige zwarte pisi Nectandra cf, Ocotea wachenheimii Lauraceae Grootbladige zwarte pisi Nectandra cf grandis, Ocotea glomerata Lauraceae Zwarte pisi Ocotea glomerata Lauraceae Kaneel pisi Licaria guianensie Lauraceae Pedrekoe pisi Xylopia aromatica, Xylopia nitida Lauraceae Wana pisi Ocotea puberula Lauraceae Waikara pisi Aniba hostmanniana Lauraceae Rode kabbes Andira coriacea, A. inermis, A. surinamensis Papilionaceae Kleinbladige rode kabbes Andira sp. Papilionaceae Grootbladige rode kabbes Andira sp. Papilionaceae Sali Tetragastris sp. Burseraceae Rode Sali Tetragastris altissima Burseraceae Soemaroeba Simarouba amara Sterculiaceae Gele pisi Ocotea sp. Lauraceae Zilve pisi Ocotea guianensis Lauraceae Harde bast pisi Ocotea schomburgkiana Lauraceae Savanne pisi Ocotea schomburgkiana Lauraceae Ceder Cedrela odorata Meliaceae Groenhart Tabebuia serratifolia Bignoniaceae Man groenhart Tabebuia sp. Bignoniaceae Kromanti kopi Aspidosperma sandwithianum Apocynaceae Kleinbladige Kromanti kopi Agonandra silvatica Opiliaceae Pakoeli Platonia insignis Guttiferae Hoogland pakoeli Rheedia sp. Guttiferae Manpurperhart Peltogyne pubescens Papilionaceae Purperhart Peltogyne venosa Papilionaceae Rode lokus Hymenaea courbaril Papilionaceae Slangenhout Loxopterygium sagotii Anacardiaceae Zwarte kabbes Diplotropics purpurea Papilionaceae Gevlamde bostamarinde Marmaroxylon racemosum Papilionaceae Kaneelart Licaria canella, L. cayennensis Lauraceae

66 Koenatepi Platymiscium trinita, Platymiscium ulei Papilionaceae Manletter Perebea laurifolia Moraceae Letterhout Piratinera scabridula Moraceae Berg manletter Helicostylis tomentosa Moraceae Pritijari Fagara pentandra Rutaceae Satijnhot Brosimum pararense Moraceae Wana Ocotea rubra Lauraceae

67 Annex 8. OVERVIEW OF THE BIOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS IN SURINAME (Muller, 2004)

Type Institute Specimens Collection types Fauna Invertebrates NCZS 72.000 terrestrial Alcohol preserved collection invertebrates 40.000 miscellaneous Dry-pinned insect collection insects 25.000 land arthropods Dry shell collection 3.450 aquatic invertebrates Artifact collection of bees and wasps Agricultural pest collection Van Regtenen Altena Mollusk collection

Vertebrates 7000 fishes Alcohol and dry formalin collection 1000 amphibians Dried skins and stuffed animals 600 reptiles Skulls and skeleton collection 530 birds Artifact collection 240 mammals Haversmidt bird collection 100 skeletons and skulls Vari Corantijn river fish collection Carnegie bat collection

Flora NHS* 35.000 plants 8.000 wood 900 orchids

MAAHF Several Fruit crop and Palm Living collections at species Experimental Gardens

CELOS Seed of pulse and grain Seed storage facility species Cassava Living collection at Experimental Garden

ADRON Rice Dry storage collection

Microorganism NHS Mushroom and mosses

NHS = National Herbarium Suriname

68 Annex 9. PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE NUMBER OF PLANT SPECIES ORDERED BY PRODUCTS AND USES (Werkhoven, 1995)

Use Number of No of introduced Total number of indigenous species species species Grains -- 3 3 Beans -- 10 10 Root crops 1 8 9 Sugar -- 1 1 Oils and fats 12 6 18 Stimulants 16 11 27 Snacks 3 3 6 Spices 2 5 7 Vegetables and 23 67 90 herbs Fruits 45 75 120 Animal fodder 12 34 46 Shade trees 3 7 10 Green manure 8 3 11 Tie and plaiting 27 14 41 material Construction 14 3 17 material Rubber 8 7 15 Resins, aromatic 11 8 19 substances Tannins 1 1 2 Body care 17 7 24 products 7 3 10 Rituals 14 6 20 Utensils 14 2 16 Hunting, fisheries 17 3 20 Toxins 97 1 98 Timber 613 159 772 Medicinal 70 500 570 Ornamentals

Total 1035 947 1982

69