ICRISAT Genebank observes World Quality Day
ICRISAT’s Dr Rajendra S Paroda Genebank observed World Quality Day on 11 November. Dr Janny van Beem, Genebank Quality Management Specialist, Crop Trust, interacted with the genebank staff to convey the importance of quality management systems in genebanks.
Dr van Beem explained that the basic structure of a genebank’s quality management system or QMS has to adhere to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Nagoya Protocol (NP), FAO Genebank standards and Best Practices.
Photo: ICRISAT Genebank
She then described the eight key areas in genebank QMS. A QMS is much more than just SOPs, Dr Beem said while adding that all key areas have to be maintained for a QMS to work and deliver efficiently. She also explained the four ‘color books’ developed to facilitate the implementation of QMS for genebanks.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, ICRISAT Genebank, highlighted the role of genebank staff in the implementation of a QMS even as he underscored the importance of a conducive environment to foster innovation and collaboration. He appreciated and thanked the genebank team for their commitment towards quality.
The genebank’s staff who joined the management in observring the day noted recent impacts of ICRISAT Genebank QMS in improving the safety of working conditions in the field. Mr Surendar Reddymalla, Scientific officer, Pigeonpea, described one such outcome where provision of helmets, hand gloves and field shoes helped avoid injuries during cage installations.
Mr Muzamil Baig, Genebank Quality Manager, who provided an overview of how the QMS helps sustain best practices and bring in improvements, said it is a “wedge” that ensures operations do not fall back to lower level after reachcing higher standards.
