IPGRI in the Americas
The Americas region is characterized by
great variability in climate, culture, economic development and genetic
resources that presents a complex environment for implementing plant
genetic resources activities. It is the center of origin and diversity
of various crops of world importance—maize, potato, tomato, cacao and
peppers, to name only a few—yet it depends heavily upon exotic species
such as sugar cane, wheat, rice, banana and coffee.
While population growth, urbanization, logging, ranching and intensive
agriculture have seriously degraded some ecosystems, many countries are
becoming more aware of issues affecting their natural resources. Several
countries in the region are now making their voices heard in
international fora, and are putting legislation in place to restrict
international access to their genetic resources even though they have
limited national capacity to conserve and use these resources. Paradoxes
such as these make the Americas a challenging place for implementing
IPGRI’s mandate—one where both great risks and far-reaching benefits
are hanging in the balance.
IPGRI activities in the Americas are designed to complement and support national and regional efforts for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources as a means to support global progress towards sustainable development.
