Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
International Plant
Genetic Resources Institute
Rome, 2002

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the lead agency for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development. An intergovernmental agency, FAO has 183 Member Nations plus a member organization, the European Community. Since its inception in 1945, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security - the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life.

The International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) is an autonomous international scientific organization, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IPGRI's mandate is to advance the conservation and use of genetic diversity for the well-being of present and future generations. IPGRI's headquarters are based in Maccarese, near Rome, Italy, with offices in another 19 countries worldwide. The Institute operates through three programmes: the Plant Genetic Resources Programme, the CGIAR Genetic Resources Support Programme and the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP).

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The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations or the International Plant Genetic Resources Insitute concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

92-5-104784-7

Collaboration:
Forestry Action Plan, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Guatemala.

Researchers:
Enma Leticia Díaz Lara and César Azurdia

Coordination and guidance:
Zoraida García, Programme Officer, Gender and Development Service Gender and Population Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing and Multimedia Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy or by e-mail to [email protected]

© FAO and IPGRI 2002