marker-assisted selection in wheat - ictsd

Chapter 19 – Technical, economic and policy considerations on marker-assisted selection in crops 399has occurred to some degree in maize biotechnology,even in the United States.Developing countries, in which agricultureis still dominated by subsistencefarming and where there is limited or nocapacity for biotechnology research, areat an added disadvantage. Resource-poorfarmers in such countries rarely offer adequatemarket incentives for the privateindustry that dominates biotechnologyresearch. For example, the involvement ofthe private sector in research and developmentactivities for root crops or grainlegumes is doubtful as these crops aregrown mainly by small-scale farmers inpoorer regions of the world and therewould be potentially low returns oninvestment. Therefore, it is important thatinternational development agencies ensurethat neither the “orphan commodities”yielding broad socio-economic benefits,nor the less advantaged and least developedcountries, are left out from the prospectof harnessing potential benefits associatedwith biotechnology. In doing so, theymust evaluate what biotechnology toolscan be of immediate benefit to such cropsand countries and then develop strategiesleading to successful adoption by the targetgroups. This can only be accomplishedif the efforts made are serious, long-termand sustainable. Many examples can becited where international aid agencies haveinvested in purchasing equipment designedfor biotechnology research in developingcountries but, when the aid programmesterminate their short-term involvement,the capital investments either have not beenoptimally utilized or have remained idle.Policy-makers in different nationalprogrammes must also bear in mind thatsustained capacity in public agriculturalresearch is a pre-requisite for successfulapplication of biotechnology tools includingMAS for crop improvement. Biotechnologytools can be used to enhance genetic gainsfor a few traits in a few crops, but theirultimate impact depends on how well theyare adopted and integrated into existingplant breeding activities. This is a soberingthought, because in many developing countriespublic sector research capacity is beingeroded and public sector extension servicesare being severely curtailed.Other factors essential for the successfulapplication of biotechnology tools aretraining and capacity building. Many biotechnologyapplications require learningnew skills, some research infrastructureand effective operational capacity. It isespecially important to train and nurturenational scientists capable of usingemerging technologies. In general, it maynot be possible for older plant scientiststo acquire the capacity for biotechnologyapplications. Therefore, policy-makers indeveloping countries have to consider longterminvestments in training and nurturinga new generation of scientific talent. Theyalso need to consider how to utilize thistalent effectively by providing adequateresources and optimum work environments.Specialized technical training mustin turn be underpinned by complementarygovernment investments in basic education,e.g. by including biotechnology-relatedsubjects in national university curricula.Although it is widely assumed thatenormous investments are needed to establisha capacity to carry out MAS, this is notalways true. Certainly, a minimum level ofinvestment is needed for laboratory facilities,equipment and trained staff. However,considering that most MAS work in developingcountries is likely to be gearedtowards the use of existing markers ratherthan the development of new ones, investmentsin facilities and capital need not be