ABSTRACT

In Bolivia, the first efforts to establish a germplasm collection of quinoa and other Andean crops date back to the 1960s. The first quinoa germplasm bank was originally managed by the Patacamaya Experimental Station and later by the national quinoa programme of the Instituto Boliviano de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, which operated until 1998. In the area around Lake Titicaca, in-situ conservation of quinoa and canihua started in 2001. Sharing of knowledge related to agro-biodiversity was promoted among families in six communities bordering on Lake Titicaca. Quinoa and canihua demonstration plots were established in 13 communities located in the Bolivian altiplano and in the inter-Andean valleys, using accessions identified and selected during the earlier characterization and evaluation process. Community seed banks were turned into seed multiplication facilities for teaching and places where both farmers and experts could exchange knowledge on management and use of different varieties.