The Genetic Resources Research Institute (GeRRI), formerly the National Genebank of Kenya, has to date amassed a base collection of 51,084 accessions comprising approximately 2000 species. Data generated from acquisition, handling and management of the conserved samples is massive. A versatile information management system is critical to enhance conservation and utilization efforts in research and development. The relational database, Microsoft Access, currently used to manage data generated from acquisition, viability assessment, regeneration, characterization, evaluation, storage and distribution activities, is grossly inadequate. It limits the ease with which data and information on the conserved germplasm can be shared and exchanged to spur its utilization.

Recent advances in global information technology have been massive. A number of data management systems exist such as BRAHMS (Botanical Research and Herbarium Management System http://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/), GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/searchgrin.html) and SESTO (http://www.nordgen.org/index.php/en/content/view/full/344/), which can be used to handle the type of data held at GeRRI. The Institute has had to evaluate these available database systems, aiming to adopt one that can manage its data efficiently, and which requires minimal changes to the current data structures and procedures. The evaluations were carried out in different training workshops at the Institute where both information experts and scientists had a chance to participate and critique the systems. We present the results of these assessments and discuss the strengths and limitations of the assessed database systems.