Regional network for genetic improvement in LAC to promote resilient and nutritious agriculture

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Agronomic Practices

Strategy 1. Resilient farms

Applied

Technological

Genetic improvement

2024

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Executive Summary

The world faces major challenges in food security, not only regarding access to food but also its nutritional quality and, consequently, its impact on human health. One concerning phenomenon is the "triple burden" of malnutrition, which combines undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and overweight/obesity, with an incidence that is both global and concentrated in specific regions, such as Latin America and the Caribbean. In this context, horticultural products play a key role due to their nutritional contribution and their capacity to prevent chronic diseases, making their inclusion in healthy dietary habits essential.

The main objective of this project is to promote the resilience and sustainability of interconnected horticultural production systems in Latin America and the Caribbean through the establishment of a regional plant breeding network. To achieve this objective, a strategic alliance will be forged among several key institutions in the region.

The specific objectives include:

Create a scientific network that connects experts from multiple disciplines for the development of plant breeding programs.
Develop a framework for plant breeding programs applicable to tropical crops, in order to improve their adaptability and resilience to the challenges of climate change.
Create a user-friendly tool to collect and manage data across different centers in the region, thereby facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge.
Engage plant breeders, horticulturists, students, and consumers in the dissemination of key information on crop improvement (including resilience, nutrition, and adaptation), as well as promote the development of technical skills in areas such as genomics and phenomics.

The technological solution

The proposed technological solution is the creation of a regional plant breeding network in Latin America and the Caribbean, which will facilitate the development of breeding programs for horticultural crops and improve their resilience to climate change. In addition, a tool will be implemented to manage data and foster the exchange of information, engaging plant breeders and other key stakeholders in the region, with the goal of improving public health and reducing healthcare costs.

Results

The expected results of this project include the creation of a regional plant breeding network in Latin America and the Caribbean that will strengthen the resilience and sustainability of horticultural systems. This network will facilitate collaboration among experts from multiple disciplines and will promote plant breeding programs adapted to the challenges of climate change. The implementation of a data management tool is also expected, which will improve the exchange of information among regional centers. Furthermore, the project will engage plant breeders, horticulturists, students, and consumers in the dissemination of key information on crop resilience, nutrition, and adaptation, which will drive the development of technical skills in genomics and phenomics. Taken together, the project is expected to improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and stimulate the regional economy.

Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries are 450 farmers in the study region and, indirectly, 63 million potential consumers in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the resulting improvement in public health and reduction in healthcare costs. In addition, 100 plant breeders in the region will benefit from valuable knowledge on plant breeding and will join a regional network that will facilitate their connection with other plant breeders in the area. An ex ante analysis highlights the economic and quality-of-life benefits resulting from improved nutrition through horticultural foods, with the potential to save millions of dollars in health costs.

Sustainable Development Goals

This project actively contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting more equitable, resilient, and sustainable regional development.