Quinoa-associated fungi and bacteria in Bolivia: conservation and sustainable use
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Main Project
VALUE £584,880
WHERE Bolivia
Summary
Quinoa, Bolivia’s signature grain, is grown organically by altiplano smallholder households, many headed by women. In such extreme environments, climate change and other threats make harvests unpredictable. Research shows beneficial fungi and bacteria could help. Jointly with village collectives, this project explores that largely unknown diversity, developing new bioproducts from promising strains to improve crop resilience for these communities. The diversity found will also contribute to an initiative to include fungi and bacteria, currently totally overlooked, in Bolivia’s conservation policies.
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM), Fundación para la Promoción e Investigación de Productos Andinos (PROINPA), Permaculture Association, Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS)
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