Certified amaranth and quinoa from Cusco and Apurímac is exported to Europe and the U.S.

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Certified amaranth and quinoa from Cusco

Certified amaranth and quinoa from Cusco and Apurímac is exported to Europe and the U.S.

During the 2003-2004 campaign, ESC Cusco-Apurímac promoted the pilot cultivation of 20 hectares in the Province of Andahuaylas. Working in collaboration with municipalities and PRODECO, the ESC provided technical assistance on cultivation management and contributed to strengthening producer organizations. Greenhill Foods, Peru’s leading amaranth exporter, committed to buy the crops and export them to Europe and the U.S. Just two campaigns later, in view of the high quality of the product and of the producers’ sound organization, the company (now with a new name, Sierra & Selva) decided to buy more and sign contracts with farmers to cultivate 130 more hectares, with organic certification paid by the company. In 2008, with PRA support, cultivation areas expanded to 260 hectares and new buyers were engaged (among them Interamsa). It is worth noting that the total cultivated area reached 340 hectares, as other producers in the area realized amaranth’s high profitability.

Grains in Cusco

In addition to amaranth, the PRA also supports productive chains for other Andean grains, especially quinoa. With support from ESC-Puno, El Altiplano S.A.C. is exporting organic quinoa to the U.S. During the 2001-2002 campaign, the company exported 72 tons of the red-colored Pasankalla variety. It should be emphasized that red quinoa had become almost extinct due to scarce local demand. Thanks to access to the U.S. market, ESC-Puno is working with other local partners to recover this species.

Interview: Ms. Nélida Gutiérrez Loayza had stopped cultivating her fields because it was better to rent them and get a fixed income than facing the challenge of selling her output. “For the first time I have signed a contract before cultivating my fields. I’m happy because I know it’s all sold at a good price, so now I can set out to improve my output”. Mr. José Salazar Quispe highlights the important role of the market: “If we continue to have a secure market and prices become more favorable, amaranth can be a good option compared with other crops that face market problems”.