The project “Development of new technological recommendations to contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the quinuero sector of the department of Cauca”, led by the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation - AGROSAVIA and the Government of Cauca, will be financed by the General Royalty System during four years, with an investment that exceeds 8 billion pesos.

The initiative will benefit more than 580 producers in the municipalities of Silvia, Totoró, Bolívar and La Vega, and will be implemented with the Universidad del Cauca as a strategic ally in the region. It also expects to indirectly benefit more than two thousand people, including associations of producers, independent producers, agricultural extension agents and legal representatives of processing and marketing companies in the department.

According to Luis Fernando Chávez, Ph.D. and leader of the project at the Palmira Research Center of AGROSAVIA “this project has been built based on the specific needs of the producer to strengthen the quinoa chain in the department of Cauca, through the generation of new technological offers such as varieties and recommendations for better performance with a sustainability approach, conserving soil resources to promote environmental responsibility and food security; In addition, increasing by more than 50% the alternatives for post-harvest work. Which, contributes to the diversification of income and the stimulation of family agro-business”?

The project will generate promising lines that will be the basis for obtaining a new variety of quinoa for Cauca, which will be delivered to producers through the strategy of the National Seeds Plan, in order to accompany the development of small producers through a series of stages, so that they can be consolidated as quality seed production cores.

On the other hand, it will make the recommendations of techniques for the sustainable and integral management of the crop, related to planting densities, fertilization, irrigation and management of pests and diseases. In addition, to increase the technologies for post-harvest work, technological alternatives will be validated for the processes of pre-drying, threshing, cleaning, drying and classification of quinoa grains, according to the conditions of the department.

“We hope that the project will become a reference for producers, agricultural extension agents and other actors in the chain in Colombia, promoting the development of knowledge exchange spaces for regional and national entities, through socialization strategies such as forums, seminars, meetings, field days and conferences. For AGROSAVIA, developing research in the cultivation of quinoa is an opportunity for the entity to become a national and worldwide reference, developing a joint work with the University of Cauca and researchers leading research processes in quinoa in the country ”, Said Cindy Marcela Guzmán, Regional Innovation Coordinator of the Popayán Headquarters of AGROSAVIA.

It should be noted that, in 2013, quinoa was listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations -FAO as one of the most nutritious foods, since it has a high protein content with an ideal balance of essential amino acids for humans; becoming a promising crop for food security and human nutrition for the 21st century. Given its potential, the department of Cauca has led, for some years, promotion and marketing programs, consolidating itself as the first producer nationwide, where around 1,400 hectares have been established, from which approximately 1,600 families benefit .

In order to link producers to the project, they must have a representative hectare of quinoa cultivation on their farm and have a management history. The main conditions that are required for the selection of the plots are: the location and ease of access to the property; the leadership and recognition of the producer in the region and the tenure of the land (preferably that is proprietary). To formalize the joint work between the producer and the AGROSAVIA research team, an agreement will be signed between the parties.

With information provided by AGROSAVIA Communications, Identity and Corporate Relations Office

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Claudia Lorena Narváez Marmolejo

AGROSAVIA Communications, Identity and Corporate Relations Office

Email: cnarvaez@agrosavia.co