Growing Diversity - Latin America

TITLE OF EXPERIENCE: Peasant strategies to manage agricultural diversity of potatoes in Ayllu Majasaya Mujlli

AUTHOR: Ayllu Majasaya Mujlli and AGRUCO Agroecology, Cochabamba University

COUNTRY AND REGION: BOLIVIA, Cochabamba

ECOLOGICAL ZONE: High-altitude Andes

ABSTRACT

The potato being native to the Andean region, all the communities in this study have displayed much diversity of species and varieties. Local residents have lived for ages with the biodiversity of potatoes, and have learned much about their characteristics and needs, as well the qualities and uses of the different species and varieties of these tubers. The knowledge they have gained has also allowed them to find, improve and chose sustainable strategies for planting, selection, adaptation, storage, weather forecasting and soil management and family relations, all as part of their own cosmovision sustained by a harmonious relationship between man and nature within a spirituality based on respect for and dialog with all elements of the cosmos.

Bolivia has never had a clear, coherent or sustained policy to support Andean crops in general, nor potatoes in particular. Yet there has been support for scientific expeditions from abroad which have collected the genetic material, both native and wild, which have been used to solve potato breeding problems in our countries. This material has enriched the international ex situ germplasm conservation centers, however the peasants who have always selected, grown, maintained and conserved these crops have no effective support.

In this context, the work done at Ayllu Majasaya Mujlli has brought more knowledge about key features of the territory, revealed the main strategies used by peasants in managing agricultural diversity and explained major problems faced today in improving the production of this tuber, as well as strategies and actions being carried out to solve them.

CONTACT: Click here for updated contact details

Ayllu Majasaya Mujlli Regional Center, Km 125 Carretera Cochabamba - Oruro - La Paz – BOLIVIA, Telephone (59-1) 4112533

AGRUCO Agroecología Universidad de Cochabamba -Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas y Pecuarias - Casilla: 3392  - Cochabamba – BOLIVIA, Tel: (59-1) 4252601 – E-mail: agruco@pino.cbb.entelnet.bo, www.agruco.org