In a context where food security is crucial for rural communities in Latin America, the project "Improvement of Yield in Potato and Other Andean Tubers – Root to Food," funded by FONTAGRO and implemented by Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, the Corporation for the Participatory and Sustainable Development of Small Rural Producers (PBA) – Colombia, the Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS), in partnership with the Autonomous Municipal Government of Sacaba – Bolivia, and cooperatives of farmers and producers from both countries, concluded its activities with significant results evidenced in this virtual seminar.

During the webinar, important challenges faced by small farmers were addressed, particularly in improving seed quality that contributes to the yields of traditional crops. Additionally, the impacts of climate change were discussed, which affect soil fertility and crop diversity.

Through the participatory development of technological packages and productive chains, the project has managed to strengthen the economy of family agricultural production units. The established collaborations have allowed for the creation of a Territorial Innovation System, resulting in the production of native potatoes using better agricultural practices and a reduction in production costs of up to 25%.

Among the most notable achievements is the production and delivery of approximately 7,000 minitubers of native varieties to producers, as well as the morphological and molecular characterization of local varieties in both nations. The sequencing of the genome of oca (Tropaeolum tuberosum) has opened new possibilities for the genetic improvement of these crops.

This webinar featured expert researchers discussing the strategies implemented in the project regarding innovation and pest monitoring, establishing planting models both in monoculture and polyculture. This approach has shown that oca yields significantly more than native potatoes under polyculture conditions. Therefore, strengthening tissue culture laboratories is crucial to ensure that farmers have access to quality seeds.

This project highlights the importance of international collaboration and the use of participatory technologies to address the challenges faced by farmers in the Andean region. Sustainability and the conservation of agricultural biodiversity are essential to ensure food security in the context of climate change.

For more information about the "Root to Food" project and other similar initiatives, visit: https://webstories.fontagro.org/propuesta154/es

To view the recording of this webinar, visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/75oY2U2yEcA?si=j1YilLqa_YyRiLCh