The Citrus Network already covers the Americas and the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. The working group focuses on building up and reinforcing disease-free germplasm collections, improving methodologies and training personnel for the maintenance and exchange of germplasm, as well as developing an information base to facilitate access to germplasm. This networking activity has been expanded to Africa and Asia as well, and a fully global approach to coordinated citrus germplasm conservation and utilisation is being established. It interacts actively with their nut production sectors to better guide a common and coordinated programme of nut genetic resource utilisation. The transversal working group concentrates on prepararing nut germplasm catalogues, initially for walnut, almond and pistachio and subsequently for hazelnut, pecan, pinenut and chestnut.
Efforts are underway to establish a Network of Traditional Crops for Southern African Countries .
The network will seek to establish the state of indigenous under-utilized cereals and pseudocereals, grain legumes, vegetables and root and tuber crops in the region. It will also recommend priority species for exploration, collection, conservation, evaluation and utilization. It also aims to formulate a strategy and prioritize collaborative research work for collecting, conserving, evaluating, documenting and exchanging germplasm. It promotes the exchange of information on traditional food crops and plant genetic resources, stimulates joint activities, organizes workshops and courses on specific subjects and supports professional training. The main activity of FAO is the organization of Regional Cultivar Trials, which stimulates the exchange of germplasm and breeding material among national programmes.