This event aimed to share productive experiences, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen agroecological transition processes through collaboration with local stakeholders. The event brought together high school students from the Tumbaco Educational Unit, undergraduate students from the Agronomy leveling program, women producers, and farmers from the regions of Malchinguí, Tocachi, Tumbaco, and Cayambe. The event fostered a valuable exchange between academic knowledge and the practical experience of local producers.

In this context, the project “Climate-Resilient Potatoes – Andespapa,” funded by FONTAGRO, presented advances in the evaluation of 17 segregating potato families from the International Potato Center (CIP), as well as advanced clones under evaluation in Ecuador. The results demonstrated significant progress in identifying materials with high productive potential, adaptability to local conditions, and the capacity to contribute to the development of more resilient agricultural systems in the face of climate change. In addition, the event included the active participation of members of the Tocachi Farmers’ Local Research Committee, who work closely with the project, strengthening participatory research and knowledge exchange between farmers and researchers.

The dissemination of results was carried out through demonstration plots, where harvested segregating materials were displayed, highlighting the diversity of colors and shapes as an expression of the genetic variability under evaluation. This methodology enabled a more practical technical understanding through direct observation and encouraged the adoption of improved agronomic practices and the use of bioinputs under real field conditions.

The event also reflected the strong participation of women farmers’ organizations, including the Cantonal Women’s Movement of Cayambe (MCMC), the Union of Popular Organizations of Ayora–Cayambe (UNOPAC), and a delegation from the Makita Kusunchi Cooperative. Their participation strengthened training processes in agroecology and solidarity economy, expanding the social impact of technology transfer.

Together, these actions reinforce FONTAGRO’s contribution to the generation and dissemination of applied knowledge, promoting innovation, sustainability, and the strengthening of potato production systems in response to the challenges posed by climate change.