BSF project "Conservation & sustainable use of potato germplasm in the rural communities of Andahuaylas"

" Conservation & sustainable use of potato germplasm in the rural communities of Andahuaylas" is one of the projects supported by the Benefit-Sharing Fund of the International Treaty for Food and Agriculture (Second Cycle). (Peruvian) Andean farmers are the custodians of more than 4,000 varieties of native potatoes grown mainly at high altitudes. These farmers have difficulties diversifying their production options, accessing local markets and commercializing their products. The conservation of potato genetic resources and an increase in their market value is, therefore, important to guarantee the livelihoods of the Andean farmers who have relied on this for over 8,000 years. This project seeks to resolve the problem of low production, productivity and income of native potatoes in the province of Andahuaylas. The project will promote the cultivation of varieties of two strategically divided groups of potato – varieties with immediate commercial potential and varieties to be newly introduced to the market – and also contribute to their on-farm conservation, sustainable management and promotion. Fifteen Producers’ Organizations are involved in project activities that have already resulted in the establishment of 15 fields for conservation and evaluation of potato varieties against pests, diseases and adaptive capacity.