An exchange workshop on best practices concerning the reference collections and the management of databases of vegetable varieties opened this Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Abidjan. Organized by the African Organization for Intellectual Property (OAPI) in collaboration with the Office of the European Union for Intellectual Property (EUIPO), this event is part of the intellectual property rights project for Africa (Afripi). Taking up until April 10, the workshop specifically aims to strengthen the capacities of experts from the four research centers accredited by the OAPI for the conduct of distinction, homogeneity and stability (DHS) examinations of plant varieties. Participants will benefit from in -depth training in the management of databases in the reference collections, an essential tool for the effective protection of vegetable obtaining. The four centers concerned are: • The National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA) of Côte d'Ivoire • The Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) of Burkina Faso • The Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) in Senegal • The Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD) of Cameroon This training also brings together international experts, executives Vegetable varieties from the Ministries of Agriculture, as well as those responsible for the DHS technical exams of the various research centers. This initiative testifies to OAPI's continuous commitment to strengthen the plant -obtaining protection system, thus contributing to agricultural development in the member states.
