On Thursday, 30th of March 2017 SD=HS partner Asociación ANDES held a multi-sector Dialogue on the joint implementation of the regulations of agro-biodiversity zones and the national Peruvian seed laws, as well as the articulation of life plans and bio-cultural protocols to these laws.
This multi-stakeholder dialogue brought together a good number of policy makers and experts from public institutions, including the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Seed Authority (INIA), representatives from Regional Governments, Civil Society organizations and community groups. The Dialogue produced important results for the SD=HS work in the Potato Park and Lares:
1. Public-Private partnership for production of high quality potato seeds
The Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), the Regional Governement of Cusco (GORE-Cusco), the Association of Communities of the Potato Park and ANDES are joining efforts to establish a joint venture, under a public-private partnership scheme, to produce high quality bio-fortified seeds to respond to nutritional needs of Peruvian children. The Potato Park will be in charge of seed production.
2. National Commission for the Implementation of Article 11 of the Seed Law regulation
ANDES has been asked to support the formation of a national commission, whose role will be to support the National Seed Authority in the implementation of Article 11 of the Regulation of the National Seed Law, which deals with traditional seed systems.
3. ANDES’ role as Seed Production Certification Authority
The National Seed Authority has requested ANDES to consider taking a role as Authority for the Certification of Seed Production by communities and smallholder farmers. This is an interesting proposal which includes training communities in seed production; ANDES will explore to take the proposal on in partnership with the Potato Park.
On Wednesday, February 22, 2017 the Second Vice President and Member of Congress of the Republic of Peru, Mercedes Araoz, visited the Potato Park. The Vice-president, was accompanied by the Minister of the Environment, Elsa Galarza, and Vice Minister of Strategic development of Natural Resources Fernando Leon. The authorities were impressed with how the health of
‘Crops are not just the expression of genes, but are also the expression of spirits.’ - A participant in the Farmer Field School in Lares, Peru. Asociación ANDES and Oxfam Novib are running the SD=HS program in Peru. The Andes Mountains are much affected by the changing climate. Communities in the area are known for
