Peru (Apurímac): More than 50 varieties of native potatoes were planted in the Paymakis Agrobiodiversity Zone

In a joint effort to strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of Andean genetic resources, the National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA) repatriated and planted more than 50 native potato varieties in the fields of the Paymakis Agrobiodiversity Zone in the Apurímac region. This material had been preserved in the germplasm bank of the International Potato Center (CIP).

This activity was developed with the strategic collaboration of CIP and INIA through the Project “Agrobiodiversity Zones as hotspots of Genetic Resources and Resilient Agri-food Systems in the Andes of Peru”, promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the purpose of positioning agrobiodiversity as a key element for rural development, the inclusion of farmers, cultural revaluation and food security in the Andes.

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The introduction of these varieties will strengthen local agrobiodiversity, improve food security, and allow for the recovery of tubers that were once part of the agricultural landscape of these areas. After the harvest, the potatoes will be presented to the community and distributed among conservationist farmers, laying the groundwork for the creation of the first community seed bank of native potatoes in Paymakis.

Due to their high genetic value, these native potato varieties have the ability to tolerate major pests, increase crop yields, conserve soil fertility since they do not require agrochemicals, adapt to diverse climates, and produce tubers with high levels of vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants. These characteristics promote food security and economic profitability for producers.

During the distribution of this genetic material, conservationist farmers and community leaders participated in the planting plan and the traditional "choque tecray," an ancestral practice that integrates agricultural techniques, spirituality, and social cohesion. Men and women from the countryside worked with the chaquitaclla (foot plow), made offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and wore their traditional clothing, reaffirming the deep connection between the potato, the land, and their cultural identity.

In this way, INIA demonstrates that science and tradition can go hand in hand to protect the agricultural legacy of our peoples and ensure its continuity for future generations.