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Project information
»The problem
Environmental conditions are extremely hostile in the high
Andes (altitudes > 3,800 meters above sea level or 12,500
feet above sea level), and farmers are subjected to periodic
droughts, cold spells, and floods. There is little vegetation
and livelihoods are limited to raising livestock and growing
native potatoes for subsistence. In Peru, the 170,000 families
living in the high Andes are the most poverty-stricken people
in the country.
Native potato varieties that are adapted to these conditions
are currently in danger of being lost. Technical development
and scientific research on native potatoes are surprisingly
underdeveloped in the Andean region, even though the cultivation
of potatoes originated there over 10,000 years ago. Native
potatoes have a number of advantages over commercial varieties,
including excellent culinary qualities, good flavor, a low
water and sugar content, and high content of dry matter, proteins,
and minerals. They are easy to cook, fry, and process; and
people are willing to pay higher prices for them. But yields
are low as a result of some problems that need to be addressed,
including virus infection and susceptibility to pests and
diseases.
»The approach
Year 2 workplan: 
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These problems will be addressed by facilitating farmers to
experiment with and validate potato production methods based
on ancestral indigenous knowledge combined with modern techniques
and rigorous scientific research. Special emphasis will be
placed on the use of quality virus-free seeds, the ecological
management of soil, and integrated pest and disease management.
The project will also focus on mechanisms required to take
advantage of market opportunities.
The project will try to adapt a sustainable extension model
developed by ITDG; the peasant promoters trained by the project
go on to provide independent agricultural services (i.e. peasant-to-peasant
technical advice) based on the Andean peasant economy's own
social, cultural, and economic relations.
»The goal
To increase food security of native Quechua and Aymara communities
in the southern high Andean region of Peru by improving the
production and marketing of native potato varieties. Over
the short term, the project area will target 600 families
belonging to the Quechua communities in the province of Cuzco.
But, in the medium term, the project is expected to impact
all of the 1,500 families living in the project region.
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Investigators
»Partner institutions
- Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), Peru
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria (INIA),
Peru
- Central de Autodefensa de Pataccalasaya (CAP), Peru
»Investigators at ITDG
(*=project leader)
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Carlos de la Torre*
Washington Chañi Caceres
Daniel Rodriguez Ascarate
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»Investigators at INIA
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Elmer Peralta Quiroz
Alberto Gonzales Verastegui,
Miguel Angel Pacheco
Nelly Romani Condor
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»Investigators at CAP
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Alejo Leon Humpiri
Fidel Arqqa Mamani
Casimiro Ccorilla
Vicente Cruz
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»Back to top
Annual progress reports
Click the links below for annual progress reports.
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»Original grant
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Year 1 (5/2005-4/2006)
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Year 2 (5/2006-4/2007)
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Year 3 (5/2007-4/2008)
Due 5/31/2008
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Year 4 (5/2008-4/2009)
Due 5/31/2009
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Publications
None as of
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