GIAHS showcases Peru’s traditional crops at “Mistura 2012”
Lima, Peru, 13 September 2012
An "Andean grains window" will pay homage to Peru’s agricultural biodiversity of global significance, showcasing quinoas of different colors, amaranth (kiwicha in the local language) and cañihua at Latin America's major gastronomic fair "Mistura 2012" - a massive event expected to attract 600,000 visitors. Mistura 2012 will feature local and international actors such as producers, entrepreneurs, universities and APEGA (Peru’s Gastronomy Society). The “Andean grains window” is the result of the joint effort led by Peru's Minister for Environment in cooperation with FAO and the GIAHS Initiative along with many other partners.
The “Andean grains window” will be installed in Mistura’s Marketplace, where 250 producers will be distributed among 120 stands. Together, large and small farmers will celebrate Peru’s Andean grains as one of the best examples of Peru's highly nutritional and sustainably managed agricultural biodiversity. “An Andean diet should contain quinoa, kiwicha and kañihua, to help ensure food security and sovereignty, and combat malnutrition,” said Peru's Minister for Environment Manuel Pulgar Vidal at the opening.
Pulgar Vidal said that thanks to its diversity of cultures, Peru needs no GMO crops. “You can feed our people with high nutritional value food products such as quinoa, kiwicha and kañihua, as our ancestors did for over five thousand years,” he told news agency Andina.
Opening on 6 September, “Mistura 2012” will last ten days, until 16 September 2012.