Readout of the bilateral meeting with H.E. Jennifer Contreras Álvarez, Minister for Agricultural Development and Irrigation of the Republic of Peru

Georgetown, Guyana - The FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met with H.E. Jennifer Contreras Álvarez, Minister for Agricultural Development and Irrigation of the Republic of Peru on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Ministerial Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC38) in Georgetown, Guyana.

The Minister conveyed the greetings from the President of Peru, H.E. Dina Ercilia Boluarte, and thanked the Director-General for the opportunity to meet.

The Director-General reaffirmed FAO's support to Peru for the transformation of its agrifood system.

The Minister stressed the importance of the FAO's assistance to address the overproduction of potatoes for more than three years. This phenomenon is the cause of low potato prices and social conflict. She also mentioned receiving technical assistance related to a water plan. She also highlighted the loss of ancestral knowledge.

The Director-General mentioned that due to industrialization several countries are suffering a similar experience: indigenous and typical agricultural knowledge and tradition remain unpreserved. The idea is to keep this common public good and heritage.

The pair further exchanged views on the importance of enhancing production and productivity through technical support and innovations to increase value and achieve the transformation of agrifood systems.