ABSTRACT
As the global population is projected to increase by 40 percent by 2020, world meat demand is expected to rise globally by about 75 percent and by 160 percent in developing countries. The demand for new, more productive, better quality forages is potentially enormous. The neotropical savannah ecosystem, with 250 million hectares of well-drained lands, constitutes the largest undeveloped land resource area, and represents one of the world's most important potential future food sources. While several species of grasses and legumes have been introduced, tested and successfully commercialized in the lowland tropics of South and Central America during the past two decades, breeding is the key for future development of superior forages. The tropical world has still not profited from genetic manipulation of tropical forages through breeding, but possibilities are infinite. Breeding programmes are currently being developed, involving the most important species of forages, and the challenges and perspectives for future use are discussed.
