The use of modern plant biotechnology for the conservation and sustainable agricultural use of those essential genetic resources needs to be strengthened. The success of projects and activities is limited by the present basic knowledge on plant biotechnology of the different research groups. Coupled with other technologies, biotechnology can surely provide new solutions for some of the old problems hindering sustainable rural development and achievement of food security. Plant biotechnology requires both human resources ad infrastructure. The development of biotechnology in the Region should be analyzed considering the real possibilities of the Region, country or among its different regions.
Biotechnology is an emergent technological sector with the consequent economic risks.
Up-grading of research infrastructure, quantity and quality of trained human resources as well as appropriate norms for intelectual property rights would facilitate the implementation and financing of joint collaborative biotechnology research and development projects. Although the Region is characterised by low development in plant biotechnology, the total number of researchers under the national research systems is aproximately 11 000. However, due to the dispersion of the groups, faulty links with the productive sector and the absence of national and regional programs able to organize and promote scientific activities, the coefficient of the real impact of all this mass is considerably limited. National Programs should identify objectives and priorities in each country, in order to promote regional collaboration, find financial support and strengthen the transfer of appropriate biotechnology and biosafety norms to the producers by promoting the application of valid results. Institutional support is reflected in all the stages of scientific development, not only in research but also in the technological transfer to local producers.