PLANNING MECHANISM
Crop genetic resources program is executed by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and is undertaken by the Institute of Crop Germplasm of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The forest genetic resources program is executed by the Ministry of Forestry and is undertaken by the Institute of Forestry Research of the Chinese Academy of Forestry. China also has a small program for medicinal plants implemented by the Institute of Medicinal Plant Genetic Resources of the Chinese Academy of Medicinal Sciences. China has not established any advisory body on genetic resources. The decision on genetic resources activities are made by the Ministry of Agriculture, for crop species; the Ministry of Forestry, for forest species; and the Bureau of the Chinese Medicine Administration, for medicinal plants; in consultation with other relevant ministries such as the State planning Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission etc. Consultation meetings involving relevant experts make recommendations for government decision.
The Planning, Administration, and Management of Agricultural Science and Technology
The Department of Sciences and Technology of the MOA takes responsibility for the planning, administration and management of the national agricultural research and development. Its role and mission are:
To formulate and organize implementation of guiding principles, policies and regulations of agricultural research, development and technology transfer.
To formulate the reform framework, to provide instructions to research and development institutions, and to conduct a pilot trial of these reforms.
To administer agricultural research institutions that are directly affiliated to the MOA.
To direct and guide the implementation of institutional reform, strategic planning and research fund administration for research institutions attached to the MOA.
To take part in the restructuring of these research institutions.
To formulate long and medium-term strategic planning on agricultural science and technology development.
To organize and coordinate the implementation of state key agricultural research programs.
To be responsible in formulating, verifying, and supervising the implementation on all kinds of state agricultural research programs managed by the MOA, and the key research program set up the by the MOA.
To provide guidance to the operation of key and ministry laboratories of agricultural research.
To organize and coordinate the demonstration and popularization of key agricultural technologies to farmers.
To guide and coordinate the strengthening of the agricultural service system.
To make medium-term and long-term plans on agricultural technology extension, and to administer the state 'Bumper Harvest Program' on crop production, animal husbandry and fishery.
To be responsible for formulating regulations on technical achievements, management, awarding patents, patent administration and maintaining confidence of secret science and technology, and to supervise the enforcement of these regulations.
To handle applications for achievement awards at ministerial level.
To formulate and implement the plan for international cooperation on agricultural science and technology, introduction of foreign talent, technology and expertise.
Be responsible for the management of some exchange and cooperation project and activities of agricultural science and technology under the mutual governmental agreements, or for those funded by international agencies.
(Source: Report on Sub-Regional Preparatory Meeting for East Asia, Beijing, China 24 – 26 July 1995, FAO International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources; CHINA AND CGIAR, Proceedings of the China-CGIAR Forum, editor in Chief Prof. Yang Yan, Dr. Waltraud R. Wightman, China Agricultural Scientech Press, 1998)