Preserving Local Agriculture in the Andes

In the Andean mountain valleys of Argentina's Jujuy and Salta provinces, indigenous communities grow precolonial varieties of potatoes using traditional farming practices. Unfortunately, the ancient potato varieties have become infected with diseases that reduce their yield and quality, threatening local biodiversity and the food security and income of these subsistence farmers.

The Monsanto Fund is collaborating with Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) to help farmers, through education, to improve agricultural practices and produce healthy seed. INTA implemented a seed distribution system, provided training about seed propagation to farmers and staff at regional centers, and conducted workshops on the conservation and improvement of Andean potato varieties in regional high schools.

This project is helping Andean farmers once again grow healthy potato varieties from local germplasm.

$250,000
The Monsanto Fund awarded a $250,000 grant to Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria.