2012-07. Plant Biology Congress. Freiburg

Improving potato production for increase food security of indigenous communities in Colombia

Teresa Mosquera, Ajjamada Kushalappa, Merideth Bonierbale, David Cuéllar, Sara Del Castillo, David DeKoeyer, Stan Kubow, Sonia Navia, Philip Oxhorn, Leonor Perilla, Patricia Restrepo, Ernesto Rodríguez, Felipe Sarmiento, Helen Tai, Thomas Zum-Felde

A comprehensive project involving potato breeding, genomics, metabolomics, biochemistry, human nutrition, gender studies and agricultural education through participative research is in progress to contribute to the improvement of the food security of indigenous communities in Colombia. The indigenous populations of the province of Nariño in Colombia are the second highest undernourished people in Colombia. Potato is a staple food crop and the main source of family income. A multidisciplinary research team has been constituted to introduce new methodologies for plant breeding, evaluate nutritional status and develop functional foods, select for potato disease resistance, educate and empower women to achieve food security for the families in Nariño.