noticias2
Germplasm Distribution
Putting the people back into planning
A new, practical, people-centered approach is helping researchers plan, monitor, and evaluate their agricultural research-for-development projects more effectively. Developed by the International Potato Center (known by its Spanish acronym, CIP), the Participatory Impact Pathway Approach (PIPA) brings together a whole range of stakeholders to integrate the complex human relationships and attitudes that have a crucial bearing on achieving results.
Resistant varieties make the difference between having enough to eat – or not
Excessive rains and an increased presence of late blight disease devastated the Cusco region of Peru in January-February 2010, which was declared a national emergency area. The food security of communities in the Paucartambo province of that region was maintained in large part thanks to two late blight resistant potato varieties, called Pallay Poncho and Puka Lliclla, developed by the International Potato Center.
U.S., Brazil Join to Boost Mozambique’s Farm Sector
An exhibition to celebrate the potato in its day, May 30
For the first time the public of Lima can appreciate the exhibit The Odyssey of the Potato that toured Europe during the International Year of the Potato in 2008. The exhibition illustrates the process of potato domestication that the ancient inhabitants of the Andes accomplished, and the evolution of this tuber into a food that contributes to the food security and economic growth of the world.
Roots and Tubers: Tapping Ancient Crops to Meet 21st Century Challenges
CIP is hosting more than 250 scientists from 41 countries, 2-6 November 2009, for the 15th Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops. The symposium will address issues regarding the potential of roots and tubers to help meet growing food security needs and improve livelihoods in a sustainable way in a time of climate change. The meeting features world-renowned scientists and experts, hands-on demonstrations, and examples of successful initiatives to help indigenous farmers by boosting the marketing and commercialization of tropical roots and tubers. It also includes the participation of Peru’s Minister of Agriculture, Adolfo de Cordova, along with the European Union Ambassador, Antonio Cardoso Melo, and other high level representatives.
The Many Benefits of Purple Pride
You could be forgiven for thinking that Dr Ted Carey set out on his mission to develop a purple sweetpotato purely out of pride for the official color of Kansas State University, where he has been working at their Olathe Research and Extension Center. But over two decades working with sweetpotato has given this breeder and extension specialist an in depth understanding of the crop’s potential, and how it can improve lives both in the developed world and for resource poor farmers in developing countries.
La Ruta Condor: Conserving Potato Biodiversity in the High Andes
In the Andes, the condor is an ancient deity, and its flight is apt inspiration for the International Potato Center (CIP)’s Ruta Cóndor project to restore and conserve the genetic diversity of native potatoes within their natural centers of origin. It’s like looking through the eyes of the Condor, watching over the farmers in their fields, managing the richness of their resources, and rescuing their culture and ancient wisdom, says René Gomez, agronomist and CIP’s genebank curator for native potatoes.