2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop the seed storage facility at the Institute of Botany, Yerevan, Armenia to include seed storage units, seed drying, cleaning and packaging room, staff training, temporary salaries, equipment, and supplies. This facility will be a component of the National Plant Genetic Resources System in Armenia. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) These funds will be added to an existing SCA with the CGIAR facility; ICARDA. ICARDA will provide technical support and project management. Space allocated for the seed storage facility at the Plant Science Building at the Institute of Botany will be renovated to include the seed storage units, seed drying, cleaning and packaging equipment, and work areas. A genebank manager will be given additional training in genebank management and will be provided with a temporary salary. Existing seeds of indigenous populations of crop relatives will be regenerated to obtain fresh seeds for cleaning, packaging and storage at the facility. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Reimbursable Agreement between USDA, FAS and USDA-ARS. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 1275-21000-162-00D: EXCHANGE OF CROP GENETIC RESOURCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION FOR THE U.S. NATIONAL PLANT GERMPLASM SYSTEM. Funds transferred under this agreement were made available to the Institute of Botany, Yerevan, Armenia to develop a medium-term seed storage facility, train staff in database management and in seed regeneration techniques, and to support inner-Ministry collaboration in the development of a National Plant Genetic Resources program in Armenia. All activities are proceeding according to the established plan. This project is monitored with the assistance of the Coordinator of CAC projects: ICARDA, through emails, semi-annual reports, and a personal visit by the U.S. PI.