Native Fruit Tree Improvement in Amazonia: An Overview - Indigenous Fruit Trees in the Tropics: Domestication, Utilization and Commercialization - page 114

What about the conservation of genetic resources? Most institutional
programmes suffer from lack of funds for conservation (van Leeuwen et al .,
2005) and successful development of a native fruit is no guarantee that this will
change - even though the idea of conservation-through-use is widespread. In
contrast, however, Cornelius et al . (2006) showed that participatory
improvement can successfully conserve genetic resources, not only because
their use encourages their conservation, but also because of the large numbers
involved - numbers that most institutions working with native fruits are unable
to manage. We feel that participatory improvement offers other advantages
also and are glad to see this practice expanding in Amazonia.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Alindo Chuquipoma Diaz, INIA, Tarapoto, Peru; Carlos
Oliva, IIAP, Pucallpa, Peru; Fimo Alemán, BASFOR, Cochabamba, Bolivia;
and Blas Garcia, CIAT Bolivia, Cochabamba, Bolivia, for information on fruit
improvement activities at their respective institutions. We also thank the editors
for their encouragement and patience.

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