The objectives of this workshop were to bring together participants from developing countries of Africa, Asia and South America, representing a variety of backgrounds and expertise, to discuss the problem of the decline in plant breeding and how this might be remedied. The workshop aimed to provide guidance on, and detail linkages between, modern and traditional plant breeding. The necessary move from conservation of PGRFA to sustainable use was also a major discussion point.
The workshop programme is given in Annex II and a list of the workshop participants is provided in Annex III. The workshop comprised presentations of country profiles, based on the results of the questionnaire. Discussion groups addressed many of the principal issues and constraints concerning plant breeding status and direction in developing countries. The presentations and discussions were synthesised into the following text and recommendations.