Protecting the Potato: Innovation and Knowledge Against the Potato Purple Top Complex in the Andean Region

The project addresses the Potato Purple Top Complex. A regional assessment will be conducted, detection methods will be optimized, and management strategies will be developed, aiming to reduce losses and costs in the crops.

Context of the story

The Potato Purple Top Complex (CPMP) causes production losses ranging from 25% to 53%. The increased use of pesticides for its control raises costs and negatively impacts the environment, as well as the health of consumers and producers, leading to crop abandonment and a reduction in cultivated areas. To address this issue, experts from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Chile will collaborate on a research project, with objectives that include developing a regional assessment, optimizing detection protocols, and disseminating knowledge about management practices, involving various institutions and producer associations.

A comprehensive collaboration to strengthen sustainable potato production in the Andean Region

The implemented initiative

The project focuses on managing the Potato Purple Top Complex (CPMP) in the Andean Region, a pest that severely impacts production. Its objectives are to strengthen the diagnosis and management of CPMP through a regional assessment, optimization of molecular detection protocols, and dissemination of knowledge about management practices. These efforts aim to reduce pesticide use, lower production costs, and mitigate environmental impact. The project involves collaboration among experts from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Chile, along with various institutions and producer associations. Through this initiative, the goal is to improve the quality of potato seed and ensure the sustainability of its production in the region.

The proposal aims to develop molecular detection protocols and train technicians and farmers in integrated management of CPMP, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in potato production.

The technological solution

The technological solution of this proposal focuses on the development and optimization of molecular detection protocols for pathogens causing the Potato Purple Top Complex (CPMP). Additionally, it aims to strengthen knowledge about best practices for integrated pest management, combining biological and cultural approaches to reduce pesticide dependence. The project also includes training for technicians and farmers in these new methodologies, ensuring effective knowledge transfer to stakeholders in the value chain. Practical guides and educational materials will be developed to promote sustainable management strategies. Through these actions, the project aims to mitigate the impact of CPMP on potato production and foster more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices in the region.

Participating countries

Type of project

Results

Participating Organizations

Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP) - Ecuador
Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria  (INIA) - Perú
Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA) - Colombia
Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) - Chile
Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) - Perú
Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA) - Ecuador

Main donors

FONTAGRO
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