Promoting quinoa biodiversity in Chile
Traditional quinoa agriculture in Chile has resulted in significant crop-specific biodiversity. There is a need to protect and manage this biodiversity to improve food security and crop production in the face of global climate change. The EU-funded 'Dynamic aspects of biodiversity management of quinoa' (QUINOA) project aimed to develop and implement management tools to help protect the diversity of this important food crop in Chile. Researchers first gathered samples of quinoa plants to characterise the genetic diversity in Chilean crops. The project also gathered information on farming practices and strategies to preserve biodiversity, as well as relevant national policies. This information was integrated into a so-called seed system model (agent based-model), which provides guidelines and management practices to ensure that biodiversity is maintained by farmers. QUINOA developed a role-playing game in parallel that helps farmers implement these guidelines. Other project outcomes include a stand-alone company to counsel Chilean farmers, and a national round-table to bring government and private stakeholders together. Together, the results of the QUINOA project will provide improved biodiversity, crop production and food security for this important Chilean crop.
Keywords
Quinoa, biodiversity, agricultural research, food security, crop production, biodiversity management, genetic diversity, farming practices, seed system