Balancing indigenous crops and market demands in the Andes

Severe weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, regularly damage crops in the highlands of the Andes. To reduce their vulnerability to risks, indigenous farmers plant many varieties of staple crops, such as potatoes and quinoa. However, new market pressures and preferences threaten this diversity and, by consequence, food security and incomes.

Communities traditionally cultivate between 70 and 100 varieties of potato, each susceptible to different pests or weather conditions. In Andean countries, though, the demand for indigenous foods like quinoa and local potatoes has been falling. There has been discrimination against indigenous foods, and indigenous people, since colonialism in the Andes. Recently, factors such as population growth, decreasing available farmland and increasing demands for wheat have added to the pressure on traditional crops. The authors studied changing cropping patterns in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador and explored ways to retain diversity while helping farmers to sell their crops in changing markets.

Quinoa, a grain that has been cultivated in the Andes for over 7,000 years is important for food security and nutrition in the region. It has a very high nutritional value and can survive in harsh conditions where few other crops grow. Processing quinoa is labour intensive, though, and labour is often short at harvest time when many people leave home to seek paid employment. Imported wheat products are subsidised and are, therefore, often cheaper than quinoa. Imported potato varieties are also replacing local varieties, to meet requirements for conformity from fast food chains and large retailers.

Changing to monocultures, particularly with less nutritious crops, means that farmers risk losing both their income and food source in the event of crop destruction. This is a damaging trend for both rural economies and food security, in both rural areas and indeed countries.

There has been some progress in balancing crop diversity and market needs:

• Practitioners are developing markets for indigenous products by helping farmers to understand market needs and buyers to appreciate local products.
• Farmers receive assistance to make local potato products more attractive to consumers and to dry and package them for year-round sale to supermarkets.
• To produce good quality quinoa at marketable prices requires processing technology. A producers association in Bolivia has constructed a processing plant. This collects the produce from several small farmers, reducing their costs and giving buyers consistent quantity and quality.
• The government in Peru has encouraged quinoa production by buying it for school meals and food programme canteens. This has increased grain production and increased the nutritional value of meals.

Slowly, people are beginning to appreciate indigenous crops again. To encourage their continued and increased production needs further policy interventions:

• Market forces alone will not preserve crop diversity; there must be policies that favour and protect poor people. The World Trade Organisation should give more support to smallholder farmers to encourage their businesses.
• Donors should fund extension services that help develop skills in business planning, marketing and negotiation. This will help small farmers to access and supply markets for indigenous foods.
• Governments can continue to fund and promote indigenous crops by buying them for food programmes.

Source(s):
‘Crop diversity and livelihood security in the Andes’, Development in Practice, 15:2, by Jon Hellin and Sophie Higman, 2005                                                                                                 Full document.

Funded by:                       

id21 Research Highlight: 15 June 2005

Further Information:
Jon Hellin
Cimmyt, Int.
Apdo. Postal 6-641
06600 Mexico, D.F.
Mexico

Tel: +52 55 5804 2004 ext. 1153
Fax: +52 55 5804 7558
Contact the contributor: j.hellin@cgiar.org

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