Transferring virus resistance technology to developing countries

In 1991 a transfer agreement was initiated between Monsanto, who donated virus resistance technology and transgenic know-how, and the Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CRAS), a public Mexican organisation. The project was brokered by ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications). Currently, varieties resistant to potato viruses X (PVX) and Y (PVY) are in seed increase and final stages of regulatory approvals. Others, involving triple resistance to PVX, PVY and PLRV are undergoing line selection prior to field testing (Kaniewski, pers. comm.). These potatoes may become the first approved transgenics that local scientists in a developing country have generated through gene transfer and product development (Qaim, 1998). Within Mexico’s potato farming system the smaller, resource-poor farms purchase fewer certified, clean seed and most plant tubers harvested from a previous year. This results in a constant build up of virus in the stock which affects yields. PVX-PVY-PLRV-resistant varieties should decrease unit production costs on farms by ca. 13% but on smaller farms the savings may amount to ca. 30%. Virus resistance delivered through transgenics have obvious benefits but will need to be established within an improved framework of seed potato production and distribution within countries such as Mexico.