Peru: MIDAGRI transfers agricultural technologies to improve the genetic quality of the Canchán potato in Arequipa

The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, through the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), transferred technologies and methodologies on the agronomic management of potato cultivation, variety INIA 303 Canchán, for the benefit of small and medium producers in the district of Chuquibamba, in the province of Condesuyos, Arequipa.

The transfer of this technology, carried out through the Arequipa Agricultural Experimental Station of INIA (EEA Arequipa), seeks to help the beneficiary farmers increase the quality and competitiveness of their agricultural production, reduce crop loss rates, strengthen the conservation of agricultural soil, improve their economic profitability, among others.

To this end, EEA Arequipa, within the framework of the Soil and Water Project, conducted a modular course on the demonstration plot for the cultivation of INIA 303 Canchan variety potatoes, installed in the district of Chuquibamba, where producers were trained in procedures for the production of high-quality potato seeds, the preparation of organic fertilizer, and pest control in the crop.

By applying these technologies and protocols, producers will increase the agricultural productivity of their hectares, raise the genetic quality and competitiveness of their crops for various commercial and industrial processes. They will also reduce the levels of degradation of agricultural soil due to the inappropriate use of agrochemicals, among others.

In addition, with the implementation of the demonstration plot for potato cultivation, INIA trained producers on the processes and importance of an analysis of the quality of agricultural soil, the development of a fertilization plan and the recovery of degraded soils. Meanwhile, information was provided on the progress of the Water, Soil and Foliar Laboratory in identifying the fertility level of agricultural soil.

INIA 303 Canchán is a variety of potato with high genetic quality developed by INIA. It has the capacity to yield between 40 and 50 tons per hectare, tolerates the main pests, adapts to types of climate, has good flavor, texture, and is ideal for poultry farms and in the preparation of dishes such as cau cau, locro, seco de cordero or papa rellena.