The product of a conference, held in California in April 1997, under the auspices of the Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Productivity (ABSP) project, this book provides an overview of research and applications, and policy requirements for biotechnology in developing countries.

The book is aimed at policy makers, agricultural researchers and economists, and extension workers.

Introduction: The ABSP
the release of transgenic varieties in centres of origin - effect on biotechnology R&
D priorities in developing countries
current status of research on agricultural biotechnology in Indonesia
agricultural needs in sub-Saharan Africa
the role of biotechnology
the application of biotechnology to potato
development of virus resistant sweetpotato
the application of biotechnology to rice
current advances in the biotechnology of banana
the application of biotechnology to date palm
the use of coat protein technology to develop virus-resistant cucurbits
the biotechnology of oil palm
rice biotechnology capacity building in Asia
international biosafety regulations - benefits and costs
fundation Peru - a case study in capacity building
Cassava biotechnology research - beyond the toolbox
developing and accessing agricultural biotechnologies - international, US and developing country perspectives and experiences
international intellectual property and genetic resource issues affecting agricultural biotechnology
SIRDC as a scientific and technology centre for sustainable agricultural, industrial and technical development role in technology transfer
technology transfer system in Thailand
trade in conventional and biotechnology agricultural products
wild biodiversity - the last frontier? developing an agricultural biotechnology business - perspectives from the front lines.