The Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Agrosavia) identifies Colombia as having 850 native potato varieties. Despite this diversity, the widespread marketing of specific species like R12, betina, and pastusa has resulted in reduced demand for other varieties, risking the preservation of their seeds. These native varieties are considered ancestral heritage, preserved by indigenous and peasant communities, highlighting Colombia's food diversity.
Agroecology is gaining attention as it promotes sustainable agricultural practices outside industrial dynamics. These include agroforestry, responsible water management, crop diversity, organic fertilizers, and seed recovery. In Boyacá, a group of seven peasant researchers is examining the adaptability and resilience of native potato varieties.
The Regional Center for Productivity and Innovation Management of Boyacá (CREPIB) notes that potatoes as the primary crop, comprising 80% of seasonal crops. In Tasco, a shift toward conscious agriculture began in 2022, led by Johanna Alvarado and six researchers. They initiated a project focusing on native potatoes: "We started it as an alternative to change our eating habits. We had been growing conventional potatoes using agrochemicals, and for the sake of health and well-being, we decided to switch to growing organic potatoes," says Johanna.
The project began with 10 varieties and now focuses on four: Mortiña, Calabera, Quincha, and Manzana. The team studies adaptability to soil and climate change: "We've noticed that the Quincha and Manzana varieties are more susceptible to insect attacks; the others have been more resistant. We're waiting for the May harvest to determine the yield. We hope it will be successful."
Plots are located at various altitudes, from 2,800 to 3,100 meters, allowing detailed evaluation of each variety's adaptability. This effort is part of the Agroecological Laboratories for Adaptation to Climate Change (AeD-LABs), supported by SwissAid and involving communities in Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Switzerland.
"When it's very rainy or summertime, we look at the resistance of each variety, which one has the most foliage, and which one adapts best. The goal is to verify that organic farming is possible," a rural researcher notes. The project aims to establish a repository of agricultural practices to ensure crop survival amid climate change.
Yeny Carrillo, a researcher for Swissaid's AeDLABS project, states, "These farmers know there are things that work, but they don't keep records or share them. Systematizing them will allow other people to learn from what they're doing."
Both the organization and farmers emphasize that conservation alone is insufficient. Market integration is essential for consumer awareness and appreciation. Jaime Aguirre's venture, "Ancestrales," exemplifies market adaptation by transforming native potatoes into chips sold in major outlets, illustrating the potential market for ancestral seeds.
At Tasco, knowledge about potatoes is cultivated daily, sharing research and information to restore nutritional diversity and promote environmentally responsible practices.
Source: Argenpapa