Objective Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) is a perennial fruit tree species of Andean origin of excellent organoleptic qualities and nutritious value. Despite the presence of an enormous wealth of local diversity, limited and often little coordinated activities t o use this potential have been carried out in the Andean region. Through REDARFIT (the Andean Plant Genetic Resources Network), national programs in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru have identified cherimoya as a priority species for the region and have express ed their wish to strengthen and combine their ongoing activities on this crop. This proposal aims at the promotion of sustainable cultivation of cherimoya in those three Andean countries based on the characterisation, conservation and use of local geneti c resources combining the available European expertise (both at the scientific and at the production levels) with local ongoing activities. Innovative research activities (using molecular tools and Geographic Information Systems) will provide new scienti fic insight into the existing cherimoya diversity providing the necessary information to optimise current germplasm conservation activities. This will allow unlocking the present, but so far untapped, genetic potential of cherimoya and canalise the obtai ned results to tackle the essential constraints (pests, lack of adequate cultural practices and limited commercialisation) for optimal cherimoya cultivation for the end-users, the poor resource Andean farmers. Training of local scientists will fortify the scientific capacity in the region ensuring a long-term impact of the project. The consortium was built based on existing expertise and experiences and comprises 9 partners in 6 countries, including NGOs. This proposal clearly addresses the recommendatio ns of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which states that characterisation, and conservation of plant genetic resources is the key for guaranteeing food security of future generations Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizationsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartographygeographic information systemsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growingmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition Programme(s) FP6-INCO - Specific measures in support of international cooperation: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) INCO - Specific measures in support of international co-operation INCO-2003-A3.2 - Bio-diverse, bio-safe and value added crops Call for proposal FP6-2003-INCO-DEV-2 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS EU contribution No data Address SERRANO 117 MADRID Spain See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (8) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all FUNDACIÓN PARA LA PROMOCIÓN E INVESTIGACIÓN DE PRODUCTOS ANDINOS Bolivia EU contribution No data Address Av. Blanco Galindo km 12.5 Calle Cincinato Prado s/n QUILLACOLLO, COCHABAMBA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INSTITUTO NACIONAL AUTÓNOMO DE INVESTIGACIONES AGROPECUARIAS Ecuador EU contribution No data Address Av. Amazonas y Eloy Alfaro, Edif. MAG 4to Piso QUITO See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y EXTENSIÓN AGRARIA Peru EU contribution No data Address Avenida La Molina N° 1981 LA MOLINA 12, LIMA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES INSTITUTE Italy EU contribution No data Address Via dei Tre Denari 472/a MACCARESE (ROME) See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data NATURALEZA Y CULTURA INTERNACIONAL Ecuador EU contribution No data Address Pío Jaramillo Alvarado y Venezuela (esq) LOJA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data SERVICIO NACIONAL DE SANIDAD AGRARIA Peru EU contribution No data Address Avenida La Molina, Nº 1915, distrito La Molina LIMA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITEIT GENT Belgium EU contribution No data Address St-Pietersnieuwstraat 25 GENT See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA Austria EU contribution No data Address Dr. Karl Lueger Ring 1 VIENNA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data