In 2022, FAO made a worldwide call inviting stakeholders to submit abstracts of case studies where agricultural biotechnologies had been applied to solve the problems of smallholders in developing countries in the aquaculture, crop, forestry and livestock sectors. The 15 case studies selected here cover a wide range of different species, world regions and production systems. They also discuss a variety of low- to high-tech biotechnologies. The case studies describe how biotechnologies were applied in different situations to increase the smallholders’ yields in the face of climate change, and thereby increase smallholder incomes as well as helping them fight against biotic stresses. They also describe how biotechnologies were used for the characterization and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture.

From a collective consideration of all case studies, four key ingredients for the successful application of biotechnologies to meet the needs of smallholders in developing countries were identified. The first, and arguably the most important, were close partnerships between researchers and relevant institutions in developing countries with those in advanced research institutions, CGIAR centres, the private sector and/or UN bodies. The second was long-term sustained commitment, financial and non-financial, from stakeholders in the initiative. The third was political and/or financial support from national and/or local governments. The fourth was good communication with farmers and other relevant stakeholders.

The publication is available here: https://doi.org/10.4060/cc8940en