CIP Puka Yawri and CIP Kallpa Yawri are two new potato cultivars that came from an innovative project at the International Potato Center (CIP). These cultivars, which are the result of a cross between CIP395017.229 and CIP306416.68, mark a substantial advancement in agricultural innovation by utilizing the ability of the inter-ploid breeding approach to address changing farming practices issues.

“The crosses were meticulously conducted from September to December 2012 at the Santa Ana Experimental Station of CIP-Huancayo, 3,216 meters above sea level,” according to a recent press release.

This milestone was achieved under the auspices of two distinct projects. The first, titled “Advancing achievements in breeding for early, resilient, and nutritious potato and sweet potato,” was made possible through support from USAID.

This project’s main objective was to update CIP’s sweet potato and potato breeding operations to improve value delivery to stakeholders and boost the uptake of newly created varieties made using CIP genetics. Establishing user-driven breeding markets, identifying areas for improvement, coming up with creative ways to involve stakeholders, and launching capacity-building projects were some of the specific goals.

The second project, named “Potential new varieties of bio-fortified potatoes varieties with high iron and zinc contents to contribute to food and nutritional security in high Andean farmers,” was facilitated by The Technical Secretariat for Coordination of the CGIAR (STC-CGIAR).

This research developed bio-fortified potato cultivars with increased iron and zinc contents to support food and nutrition security for households who are vulnerable in Peru’s Andes. Choosing and assessing sophisticated bio-fortified potato clones as well as capacity development initiatives aimed at pertinent stakeholders were among the specific goals.

CIP Puka Yawri and CIP Kallpa Yawri boast remarkable attributes essential for addressing pressing agricultural concerns and improving food security. These varieties exhibit high iron and zinc contents, crucial for combating anemia and malnutrition prevalent in the Andean regions of Peru. With wide adaptation (2600- 4200 masl), yields exceeding 20 tons per hectare compared with the 12 tons per hectare of the landrace potatoes average yield; and resistance to Rancha (e.g., Late blight disease), the primary potato disease in Peru, they promise to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.

Furthermore, both varieties demonstrate homogeneity and stability in the expression of their distinctive traits. Their superior characteristics, including elevated levels of iron, zinc, and dry matter content, ensure not only nutritional benefits but also exceptional taste and texture, enabling them to compete favorably with traditional varieties in the diets of Andean populations.

The dissemination strategy for CIP Puka Yawri and CIP Kallpa Yawri prioritizes women and children in Peru’s northern and central Andean regions. Targeting vulnerable households and emphasizing women’s pivotal role in food security aims to reach over 5,000 households initially, fostering the adoption of bio-fortified varieties through educational campaigns and agricultural interventions. This strategy aims to reduce anemia and chronic malnutrition, particularly among Peruvian women and children.

The varieties are available for licensing to certified seed producers registered with the Peruvian Seed Authority (SENASA). CIP applied for plant variety protection by UPOV and Peruvian legislation and can issue commercial production licenses. By its mandate, CIP requires licensees to accept providing good quality seed to smallholder farmers at preferential rates, securing in this way safe and broad dissemination and adoption of the varieties. CIP also requires licensees to contribute financially to the Benefit Sharing Fund of the International Plant Treaty. The Fund supports conservation and sustainable use projects in the global South.

The dissemination strategy is in line with Peruvian national priorities regarding the production, availability, and affordability of high-quality seed for farmers. Further, the rights associated with the plant variety protection of the two YAWRI varieties will not infringe or interfere with the rights of Peruvian indigenous communities and smallholder potato farmers, who can save, and exchange seeds of the varieties among themselves by the UPOV Convention, which Peru is part of. CIP seeks to promote the empowerment and sustainable livelihoods of the farmers and indigenous communities through the wide availability of these varieties.