Agroecological Management of Purpose Top

Lead Organization:

Minga Foundation for Rural Action and Cooperation, MARCO

Partner Organizations:

Key partners involved in this project include: Farmers from diverse genders, ages, and ethnicities in Tungurahua and Chimborazo will provide ancestral knowledge and participate in the research; International Potato Center (CIP) and National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP): These organizations will provide technical support, oversee research design, data collection, analysis, and guide the creation of scientific outputs such as publications; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and Agrocalidad; Universities of Chimborazo and Tungurahua; Local Government Technicians and Authorities, including local technicians and authorities from Chimborazo and Tungurahua will provide crucial data on the solanaceous crops affected by PTC and participate in workshops to share their experiences and expertise.

Community of Practice:

Andes

Countries:

Ecuador

Duration:

5/2024—5/2027

Overview:

In Ecuador, smallholder farmers growing solanaceous crops such as potatoes, tree tomatoes, peppers, and golden berries face significant economic losses due to the Purple Top Complex (PTC), which includes the bacteria Phytoplasmas and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso), and the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. The PTC not only affects crop production but also threatens food security and biodiversity in the Andes. In response, this project aims to assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of PTC and explore the potential of companion plants to repel the psyllid and attract natural enemies, offering an agroecological solution to reduce pesticide use and increase biodiversity. The project will focus on rural development, providing increased access to nutritious food, income generation, and improved environmental and health outcomes, particularly for women and youth, who we will specifically target to participate in the research.

Grant Aims:

  • Quantify the social, economic, and environmental impacts of PTC on solanaceous crops in the Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces.
  • Study the effectiveness of companion plants in repelling the potato psyllid and attracting its natural predators.
  • Increase biodiversity of both plants and natural enemies, and enhance the sustainability of agroecological practices.
  • Potato and other solanaceous yields to increase and expand the offer of agroecological products that are more environmentally friendly and greatly reduce pesticide use
  • Reduce pesticide use and its associated environmental and health impacts, while boosting smallholder incomes and crop productivity.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs:

  • Comprehensive data on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of PTC in the affected regions.
  • Evidence on the effectiveness of companion plants in managing the potato psyllid and improving pest control.
  • Creation of a Theory of Change demonstrating reduced pesticide use, increased biodiversity, enhanced income generation, and increased crop yields.
  • Scientific publications and knowledge dissemination to scale successful methods across the Andean region.

Outcomes:

  • Reduced impact of PTC on solanaceous crops in Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces.
  • Adoption of agroecological practices that improve biodiversity and reduce dependency on chemical pesticides.
  • Enhanced livelihoods and food security for smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth.
  • A scalable model for agroecological management of PTC applicable throughout the Andes.