of knowledge for incorporating agrobiodiversity and forestry biodiversity into the production process (Blann, 2006, DeClerk et al., 2006).

4.2.2.3 Improvement of conventional systems in order to reduce and mitigate their negative environmental impacts Conventional systems may also be gradually transformed into more sustainable systems with the support of the AKST. Given the demonstrably positive impacts of environmentally friendly production, conventional production systems must undergo technical changes to make them less harmful to the environment and to the health of consumers (Fachinello, 1999).
     Many regions of Latin America and the Caribbean have large quantities of aquatic and marine resources (e.g., Caribbean, Amazonia, Andes), and what is now required is research into and the dissemination of models of communal management of water resources. There are currently few technical models for an activity that can reduce the pressure on resources at the same time as it generates income for the local population.
     For producers working lands on degraded or fragile slopes and who are not prepared to use this land for forest cover, their priority should be to promote sustainable production styles that can be easily adopted with limited resources and which produce relatively quick and attractive returns, either in terms of production or in the use of labor (Dixon et al., 2001). Specific initiatives include: (1) the permanent production of commercial valuable crops; (2) reduced ploughing; (3) greater density of cultivation; (4) contour farming; (5) improved varieties; (6) live hedges; (7) interspersing of crops; (8) dispersed forest cover; (9) mulching (Dixon et al., 2001); and (10) management of invertebrate fauna in a way that is beneficial for the soil.
     The benefits of these technologies and the feasibility of their adoption have been amply demonstrated by a series of innovative projects that have been undertaken throughout the system. However, even though such practices may lead both to an increase in yield and to more sustainable management of natural resources, they will have limited impact on increasing family incomes, and unless they are incorporated into diversification and marketing programs, these alternatives must be considered to be only part of the solution (Dixon et al., 2001).
     For those systems with high population densities in Latin America and the Caribbean, the development and implementation of effective plans at the community level for the management of natural resources are extremely important. These interventions should include technical assistance and incentives for their adoption, in addition to emphasis on obtaining benefits in the short term for resource management activities, such as the management of water basins and forestry resources, among others (Mc- Neely and Scher, 2003). Other promising interventions should focus on technologies for the conservation of humidity in drier areas and for combating drought and desertification (for example, northeast Brazil and the Central Andean region). There is also need for effective management of water basins (Mesoamerica and northern Andes). Both of these impacts are expected to become more widespread as a result of global climate changes, which is why risk reduction

mechanisms must be strengthened (Dixon et al., 2001).

4.2.2.4 Use and control of the application of new technologies
AKST in Latin America and the Caribbean need to prioritize research and the training of native personnel in centers of excellence in order for the region to narrow the current technological gap and not remain on the margins of the great technological breakthroughs taking place in new areas of research (agroecology, biotechnlogy, niche agriculture and biological controllers, for example) in the developed countries. This effort of cooperation must be directed towards strengthening the technical and scientific capacities of AKST actors in the region and should address the needs and particularities of each subregion of Latin America and the Caribbean.
     This development and training in the use of new technologies should also be geared towards achieving the goals of IAASTD. This means that AKST systems should direct their efforts to take greater advantage of these technological innovations by placing emphasis on issues of biosecurity, for example in genetic modification programs. The adoption of any new technology (including GMOs) should be preceded by a careful analysis of risks to health, to genetic introgression in localities of evolutionary origin and other impacts on the environment, including considering the possible prohibtion of the release of GMOs in centers of evolutionary origin.
     AKST systems should act effectively to carry out impact and potential risk assessments of the products being researched in order to prevent their adoption from causing problems for the environment and for consumers. In other words, they should ensure the biosecurity of the results of their research programs. One option would be to direct efforts towards the adoption of the precautionary principle (through AKST) to prevent irreversible damage and promoting their observance through national, regional and international agreements.

4.2.2.5 Investment in AKST systems for the development of technological innovations to overcome health problems This point refers in particular to the introduction of methods for the traceability and safety of foods (possible risks, nanotechnology) and methods for the control and detection of health problems, among others. In order for investment in AKSTs to be efficient, it is proposed to conduct research into the know-how of producer groups and the objective conditions under which they use technologies. Many traditional
processing techniques are unsanitary. Meanwhile, health barriers represent obstacles for small-scale producers, who lack large amounts of capital. Alternative approaches must therefore be sought that allow for the strengths of the less strong producer groups in the agricultural economy to be maximized (EMBRAPA, 2006).

4.2.2.6 Development of technologies to strengthen integrated pest management
Promotion of integrated pest management practices (IPM) and technologies that reduce or eliminate agrotoxins. The development of this type of research is today common in