After having concluded genome sequencing of of the coffee and eucalyptus the start the trial of the banana genome the Brazilian agricultural research company Embrapa bets on the biotechnology to develop a sweeter melon and varieties of rice, corn, sorghum and wheat more resistant to weather problems.

This year Embrapa Biotecnologia has started the genetic mapping of the sorghum, rice and corn to detect the sections of the DNA responsible for the resistant to cold and dry.

The Orygens projects started in 2003 with the research on the rice arroz (Oryza sativa L.).

The work is to be completed in 2007 and has the participation of seven divisions of Embrapa, Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Epagri-SC), Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (Esalq/USP), Instituto Riograndense do Arroz (Irga), Universidade Catolica de Brasilia and Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense. In 2003 and 2004 there were invested R$550,000 and from 2004 to 2007 Embrapa plans R$3.2mil in the research.

The genetic sequencing has a budget of R$174,200 from the World Bank.

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