The FAO e-learning Academy hosts a comprehensive e-learning series on data management for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The series introduces essential concepts, tools, and systems, as well as best practices for documenting and sharing PGRFA data. It provides context that makes this documentation easier to follow and apply in real-world genebank operations.

Through four courses, learners explore the Global Information System (GLIS) on PGRFA, digital object identifiers (DOIs), the GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) gene bank management system, the Genesys portal, and global crop conservation strategies—including how diversity coverage assessments and gap analyses guide conservation priorities.

The GGCE community is growing steadily. The platform supports collection management in community seed banks and national or international genebanks worldwide.

We are introducing the GGCE Deployment Map to showcase the diverse institutions adopting the software.

This release improves the intelligence and usability of GGCE by introducing an AI assistant and redesigned browsing tools to streamline genebank operations.

For detailed upgrade instructions, please see the upgrading instructions.

Update: The latest patch release is 2026.3.1.

The GGCE Advisory Group met on 23 June 2026 to review the current state of the platform and coordinate future strategic directions. The meeting highlighted the continued growth of GGCE and the need for aligned technical priorities between different user groups.

Managing plant genetic resources requires handling complex data across thousands of accessions. The Genebank AI agent in GGCE simplifies this process and streamlines workflows.

The AI assists with daily collection management through a dedicated chat interface and intelligent support within specific modules.

2026.2 focuses on mobility, precision, and workflow efficiency. This release introduces the Offline Fieldbook for scoring crop traits and managing data without an internet connection. It also includes updated Geographic Region management with a new API and UI, and a System Action Log for administrative transparency.

See upgrading instructions for more details.

Update: The latest patch release is 2026.2.2.

Managing large datasets can often involve repeating the same search criteria multiple times. To make this process more efficient, we have introduced Saved Filters.

This feature allows you to save specific combinations of filters that you use frequently, such as filtering for particular accession varieties or inventory items, so you can access them instantly at a later stage.

Accurate data collection is critical for genebank operations. Manual entry can lead to transcription errors and procedural delays.

To improve efficiency and data integrity, GGCE supports Bluetooth-enabled electronic balances. This feature allows you to capture weight measurements directly from your scale into GGCE, reducing manual entry errors and saving time in the field or lab.

The GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) is a modern open-source information system designed to strengthen the management, tracking, and documentation of plant genetic resources in genebanks. As collections grow and international standards evolve, GGCE provides a comprehensive framework for what genebanks must consider when adopting digital solutions for germplasm management.

2026.1 is a major update that completes the migration to Java 17 and Spring Boot, replaces JSP with Thymeleaf, and introduces comprehensive monitoring with Prometheus. The UI features a revamped Welcome Page, improved security with httpOnly cookies, and faster loading through precaching.

See upgrading instructions and the extra step!

Update: The latest patch release is 2026.1.2.