What is passport data?

Answer: Pssport data is a data type consisting of collection or field data of an accession. Some of them include: Accession Number, collector, collection date, place (region, locality, wereda, kebele, etc.), longitude, latitude, altitude, soil (type, color, pH, salinity), rainfall, etc.

How can I get the passport data I want?

Answer: In the first place, you should make sure which data types you are looking for in particular. This could be based on your research type, output, etc.
In the second place, you should have an official letter from your organization stating that you would like to get those passport data with or without the accessions. The letter should be adressed to the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and stamped.

How many accessions do you have recently?

Answer: Currently, we have 67043 accessions in our database with relevant passport data. The accessions belong to 408 plant species collected all over the country and some obtained from donation and repatriation. However, as the database is usually added on, we can not tell you the exact figure.

What is the maximum number of accessions I can ask for in one request?

Answer: This depends on your project proposal or research. However, be informed that we can not provide the whole database in one request. You can ask for up to two to three species accessions in special cases. The maximum number of accession per species recorded in our database until December 2006 is 14000.

What shall I do if the accessions I want are not enough or available in your storage?

Answer: If the accessions in our short term or long term storage are not enough for your purpose you can do the following. First of all, you should bring an official letter from your institution stating that you want to collect more samples from the areas specified by your project proposal. Afterwards, we will provide you a field assistant who will assist you in your collection mission so that you can legally collect what you want. Note that you are expected to cover the daily allowances of the field assistant.

Can I collect samples from anywhere in Ethiopia without your knowledge?

Answer: That is impossible! The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation is mandated for genetic material conservation with relevant stakeholders. If you are found collecting without the knowledge of the Institute, you will be accussed of theft of our genetic resources and this is against the Law. Remember that Ignorance of the law has no excuse!

How can I take samples or specimens of organisms out of ethiopia?

Answer: Previously, students of various educational levels, researchers, explorers, etc. have been taking material legally as well as illegally. However, this rsulted in biopiracy, which lead into the misuse of organisms such as patenting (e.g. Eragrostis teff), etc. For this reason, any body who would like to take genetic material abroad has to sign legal agreements with our institute before further steps. Otherwise, it is prohibited to transfer genetic materials abroad or to third party.

Which species are strictly prohibited from being taken from Ethiopia?

Answer: Endangered, threatened and nearly extinct species are prohibited from being taken out of Ethiopia, except in the form of conservation in ex-situ sites within the country.

Can I access your Library?

Answer: Intially, our "mini-libarry" was established with the main objective of availing reference materials for our staff. However, with the growing need of external users, we are providing service to universities, research institutes and private individuals. In any case, individuals are required to bring official letter to have access to our library.

What publications do you have in your Library?

Answer: We have collections of books, journals, magazines, proceedings, etc. mainly dealing with Biodiversity conservation and relevant fields.

Can I borrow materials from your library?

Recently, we do not have enough copies of publications in our library. Hence, we do not lend materials for external users though you are allowed to read at the library and copy some pages at nearby stationeries.

Are there any funds avialable in your Institute for my relevant projects to your mandates and duties?

Answer: Absolutely NOT! We do not provide funds for external researchers as we are governmental institution. However, you can contact the projects hosted in our Institute and further settle the issue.
1. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants: Project Leader: Dr Fassil Kebebew
2. Crop Germplasm Utilization Study: Contact Person: Mr. Adugna Abdi
3. East Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network: Contact Person: Dr Kassahun Embaye
4. RPSUD Granted Projects (2 small grant projects): Contact Person: Wro Faeven Workye
 

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