News

Potatoes for food security in the Andes

25.02.2013

A project to improve food security among vulnerable rural groups coordinated by Mountain Partnership member the International Potato Centre (CIP) is underway in four Latin American countries.

In the Andes, the potato is one of the most important crops in the agricultural sector. However, in areas where the tuber is produced, chronic malnutrition in children under 3 years still persists.

Launched in 2010 with support from the European Union, the Innovation for Food Security and Food Sovereignty (IssAndes) project is working to stimulate agricultural innovation at all levels (local, national, and regional) to improve food security among vulnerable rural groups.

The project has four main pillars: improving the potato’s contribution to nutrition and health, improving potato production systems, nutritional education for behavioral change, and advocacy and policy.

Currently, the project is operational in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

For more information: http://www.issandes.org