文档介绍：The Way Forward to Strengthen National Plant Breeding
and Biotechnology Capacity
Report of the Meeting
9-11 February 2005
Rome, FAO Headquarters
Agriculture Department, Plant Production and Protection Division,
Crop and Grassland Service
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This report represents a summary of discussions that took place during a meeting held at
FAO headquarters between 9th and 11th February 2005. The meeting addressed issues in
connection with strengthening national plant breeding and biotechnology capacity. Over
twenty representatives of agencies and institutions involved in ic resource use and
plant breeding, including an observer from the International Union for the Protection of New
Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and about ten representatives from FAO attended the meeting.
The participants came from approximately twenty countries.
Background
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economies of numerous developing countries, supporting
the livelihoods of large proportions of their populations. Subsistence agriculture is a
particular feature of many of these countries, especially those that have suffered from the
ravages of war and the vagaries of climate. With few alternatives, rural populations must
often secure their sustenance and e from farming. Plant breeding, relying on judicious
use of Plant ic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), has supplied adapted
crop varieties to many countries across the globe, with the principal exception of a number
African countries. Green Revolution improved varieties have raised production levels,
provided food security and generated e for many developing country farmers.
The process of producing improved varieties is slow and requires long-term sustained
commitment to plant breeding. In many countries application of biotechnology to agricultural
research and production has hailed a new era. There is the promis