Agro-biotechnologies: Bio-logical Tools at the Service of Agriculture

Agro-biotechnology is an effective technology in which numerous and varied techniques such as hybridization, in vitro cell and tissue cultivation, fermentation, biological control through microorganisms, and some other techniques that do not make use of living organisms are used. In this article, these techniques are described concisely and some concepts are presented to clarify the relationship between transgenesis, one of the multiple techniques, and agrobiotechnology. In addition, the position of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on biotechnology and its interrelationship with other areas is briefly explained.