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Assessment of the National Plant Breeding and Associated Biotechnology Capacity Around the World

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Crop and Grassland Service (AGPC), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy

^* Corresponding author (elcio.guimaraes{at}fao.org).

Developing countries rely on agriculture and in particular on plant breeding for economic growth, poverty alleviation, and income generation. Therefore, knowledge of countries' capacity to develop improved cultivars is essential. The objective of this article is to present and discuss the results of the national plant breeding and associated biotechnology assessment performed worldwide by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and to propose actions to strengthen national capacity in the use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). Data were collected on countries' capacity to carry out plant breeding activities, including the application of biotechnology tools, through a questionnaire submitted to each institution involved in the sector. Data gathered through the questionnaire are checked for quality and completeness and analyzed at country and regional levels. Results reveal variable numbers and trends: the number of plant breeders and biotechnologists and the trends vary among countries and regions without a global upward or downward tendency; the capacity to use biotechnology tools varies but the lack of linkages with applied plant breeding is a major issue; allocations vary from crop to crop and from region to region; and even within a given region there is not necessarily coincidence in priority crops regarding the allocation of resources. To extend awareness coming out of these surveys, and to further discuss and design appropriate strategies to strengthen capacity to use PGRFA, national and regional workshops were held. The main issues stressed in these events were capacity building must have the highest priority, followed by access to PGRFA, access to biotechnology tools, and awareness of plant breeding characteristics and their impact. The Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB) was recently launched to further support countries in strengthening their competence through promoting capacity building.

Abbreviations: CGIAR, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research • CIMMYT, Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo • FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations • FAO-BioDeC, FAO database on Biotechnology in Developing Countries • FAO-WIEWS, FAO World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture • FTE, full time equivalent • GIPB, Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building • ICARDA, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas • IFPRI, International Food Policy Research Institute • IITA, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture • IPGRI, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute • IT-PGRFA, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture • MAS, marker-assisted selection • NGO, nongovernmental organization • PGRFA, plant genetic resources for food and agriculture

Received for publication April 7, 2007.