FAO Initiative Helps Peruvian Farmers Secure Major Potato Deal
Native potatoes from Peru are becoming more and more well-known worldwide due to their nutritional value, variety, and rising demand. They are one of the most hardy and varied food sources in the world, with over 4,000 species grown in the Andean highlands.
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these potatoes promote food security and present fresh chances for long-term, high-value market integration. Their increasing popularity goes beyond conventional markets, making Peru a significant force in the development of novel, nutrient-dense food products in the future.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has helped small-scale farmers in Junín, Peru, achieve a significant commercial arrangement to sell 600 tons of native potatoes to the snack industry through the ‘Hand-in-Hand Initiative,’ a country-led program. The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) spearheaded commercial coordination efforts through its Agromercado initiative, which also led to this cooperation, which is valued at about USD373,014. This significant achievement improves family farmers’ economic prospects and fortifies their market integration.
Tiyapuy, a snack firm with a processing unit in Lima, has already received the first shipment of eight tons of Cacho de Toro potatoes from the Nueva Esperanza de Ranchopampa Agrarian Cooperative in Huancayo. Delivery schedules will change from biweekly in February to weekly in March and April as a result of this agreement. The entire 600-ton supply, which includes Sumac Soncco, Cacho de Toro, Cceccorani, and Huayro Macho kinds, will be finished by July after the major harvest in May.
“The 600 tons of native potatoes will be supplied by two agrarian cooperatives: 500 tons from Sierra Central and 100 tons from Nueva Esperanza de Ranchopampa. These potatoes are grown across 60 hectares in the rural communities of Patalá, Cullhuas, Chicche, and Pomamanta, located in the districts of Cullhuas and Pucará. Together, these areas have an annual production capacity of 700,” a recent FAO release revealed.
The Role of Hand-in-Hand
The ‘Hand-in-Hand Initiative’ supports country-led efforts by providing partners like MIDAGRI with geospatial data, high-level partnerships, and technical expertise to enhance strategic investment decisions. Through a comprehensive analysis of factors such as soil quality, climate conditions, infrastructure, and market demand, the initiative ensures that resources are directed where they can generate the greatest impact, strengthening rural livelihoods and creating sustainable agrifood systems.
Peru is a prime example of how targeted investment can transform agrifood systems.
“Peru shows we are on the right track, combining innovation and strategic investment to build synergies that go beyond food production, creating sustainable livelihoods and stronger rural economies,” FAO Chief Economist, Máximo Torero, mentioned.
By linking tradition with global market potential, this approach strengthens Peru’s potato sector while setting a model for other regions seeking to integrate smallholder farmers into global markets.
