Regional Network for Genetic Improvement in LAC

Executive Summary

The world faces significant challenges in terms of food security, not only regarding access to food but also its nutritional quality, and consequently, its impact on human health. A concerning phenomenon is the 'Triple Burden' of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity, which has a global incidence, particularly in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean. In this context, horticultural products play a key role due to their nutritional contribution and their ability 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 goal, a strategic alliance will be forged between key institutions, thereby establishing a regional cooperation network. The specific objectives include: 1) Establishing connections among experts from multiple disciplines for the development of plant breeding programs through the creation of a scientific network. 2) Developing a framework for breeding programs applicable to tropical crops, aiming to improve their adaptability and resilience to climate change challenges. 3) Creating a user-friendly tool for collecting and managing data across various centers in the region, thus facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge. 4) Engaging plant breeders, horticulturists, students, and consumers in disseminating key information about crop improvement, including resilience, nutrition, and adaptation, while promoting 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, improving their resilience to climate change. Additionally, a tool will be implemented to manage data and promote information exchange, involving plant breeders and other key stakeholders in the region, with the goal of improving public health and reducing healthcare costs.

Results

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. Additionally, 100 plant breeders from the region will benefit from invaluable knowledge on genetic improvement and will be integrated into a regional network that will facilitate their connection with other breeders in the area. An ex-ante analysis highlights the economic benefits and the improvement in people’s quality of life as a result of better nutrition through horticultural products, with the potential to save millions of dollars in healthcare costs.

Main donors