Modern science and traditional science exchange views

Farmers at the Potato Park

Local farmers and international potato scientists exchanged views today as they met in the Cusco Potato Park, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The visit was an important part of the conference that is took place in Cusco, entitled: "Potato Science for the Poor: Challenges for the New Millennium".

Over a hundred scientists from over 30 countries visited some of the highest areas of the park, between 3,500 and 4,050 meters above sea level. There, local conservative experts, known as "papa arariwas", guided them around plots where hundreds of local potato varieties are conserved.

This unique biological diversity is essential, both as an element in the local diet and culture, and as a reservoir of bidodiversity that can be used to breed future varieties of potato.

Afterwards the scientists and the farmers exchanged views on the conservation of potato diversity and potato cultivation in Peru and the rest of the world.

"Working together, you, the scientists, and we, the arariwas, is the best way to work for future generations", said Justino Yuccra, an arariwa from the Cuello Largo community. "You have the modern knowledge, we have the indigenous knowledge, if we link them, we could increase our biodiversity and also help other people to face climate change."

Other issues presented during the meeting were global warming, the improvement of new potato varieties, access to markets, the new biotechnological tools and the origin and dissemination of the potato.