The Global Musa Genomics Consortium (GMGC) was launched in July 2001 during a meeting at the National Scientific Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Virginia - USA. This consortium is coordinated by the Global Programme for Musa Improvement (PROMUSA), a program of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP).

           The aim of GMGC is to elucidate the genome of Musa spp. to guarantee the sustentability of the banana production and use as staple food, through a better understanding the genetics and genomics of this genus. The information generated by GMGC will make possible to design better strategies for genetic improvement.

           Brazil is represented in GMGC by Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (Embrapa/Cenargen) and the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), and has financial support from Embrapa, UCB and CNPq-MCT.