The global plan of action for the conservation and improvement of plant genetic resources: follow-up activities in Latin America and the Caribbean

摘要

The RLC region has a range of eco-geographical conditions and a diversity of plant species. This regional biodiversity has been shaped not only by the geographic and environmental variability, but also by the cultural diversity of people in the region. The livelihood of many people in the region rely on a complex array of endemic food crops. For the purpose of PGR management, this large heterogeneous zone is divided into the: Caribbean Area Meso-American Zone Andean Zone Southern Cone Amazonian Basin Each zone participates in networks conducting research, consolidating national programmes and developing strategies leading towards proper conservation and sustainable use of PGR. Many of the PGR for food and agriculture have their centre of origin in RLC. No country or region, however, is known to be self-sufficient in crop genetic diversity. According to recent studies, the average crop genetic resources dependency (crop production based on exotic germplasm) among regions of the world is more than 50 percent, and for some regions it may go up to 100 percent for the most important crops. The most important crops that have their centre of origin in RLC include maize, Phaseolus (beans), potato, sweet potato, tomato, cocoa, cassava, groundnut, pineapple and paprika. Nonetheless, this region relies heavily on food crops from other regions; e.g. wheat, sugar, rice, soybean, barley, plantain and banana.. An FAO study estimated that the RLC region's dependence on exotic crops and germplasm for its "calories" ranges from a minimum of 37-49 percent to a maximum of 90-100 percent.