Europlant donates €20,000 to Peruvian potato conservation

In mid-August, around 250 guests attended a Europlant Group event in Lüneburg, which combined several milestones: the 125th anniversary of Kartoffelzucht Böhm, the 50th anniversary of Nordkartoffel Zuchtgesellschaft, the inauguration of the Europlant Biotechnikum, and the retirement of long-standing breeding manager Dr. Hans-Reinhard Hofferbert.

Instead of gifts, attendees were asked to make contributions to AGUAPAN, a Peruvian initiative that unites more than one hundred farming communities in the Andes. Since 2015, AGUAPAN has worked to preserve the genetic diversity of traditional potato varieties. These varieties provide important traits for the breeding of new types resistant to climate stress, disease, and nutrient deficiencies. The International Potato Centre (CIP) monitors the conservation status of these varieties and holds duplicate samples in its gene bank when requested by farmers.

Local families conserve hundreds of traditional potato varieties, acting as custodians of both cultural heritage and a resource base for future breeding. "We rely on old varieties for breeding. They contain important genetic traits that help us breed more efficient, more tolerant varieties that are capable of meeting the challenges of the future," said Europlant Managing Director Dr. Justus Böhm.

Guests donated about €10,000, with Europlant matching the amount, bringing the total to €20,000. According to Aurea Eulalia Mendoza Capcha, president of AGUAPAN, "this valuable donation will allow us to support the highland families who sustain the ongoing evolution of the potato through investment in their wellbeing. Every year, each member of AGUAPAN receives a financial retribution in recognition of their effort to conserve 50 to 300 local varieties per household. The resources will be used for health care, education, agricultural inputs, and for strengthening the leadership capacity within the association."