An interesting new paper by Andrew Ofstehage in the journal Agriculture and Human Values describes the current economy of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) in Bolivia, about which we have reported previously. Although it is occasionally difficult to cut through the social science jargon of the paper (at least for us humble agronomists), it is an excellent account of the options available to poor Bolivian smallholders for commercialising quinoa of different qualities in different marketing channels. The paper also explores the complex motivations behind farmers’ decisions to sell quinoa to different buyers, and it provides insights in the role and vital services of local intermediaries (contrary to the common stereotype of their exploitative role).
We found it interesting that although the traditional marketing of quinoa as an undifferentiated commodity continues to be the choice of producers of lower grade qualities, some farmers actively pursue strategies to position their quinoa in high-value market niches. So, for example, the farmers of Los Lipez, reported to take pride in local production methods that result in a particularly large grain and distinct product, “have created a denomination of origin (DO), a registered trademark to protect a geographically distinct and socially reproduced commodity, for quinua real de Lipez. This initiative encourages Lipeño farmers to sell their quinoa as Lipeña and prohibits outside farmers from doing so..”
Interestingly, the movement towards differentiation of Lipeña quinoa is largely spearheaded by a consortium of local organisations intending “to add value to local products and promote an alternative local economy based on the recognition of tradition and Lipeña identity through the promotion of products, development of new products, and the certification of products from Lipez”.


The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in close collaboration with Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and National Research Council Thailand (NRCT), is pleased to announce the convening of a Regional Symposium on âPromoting underutilised food resources for better nutritionâ to be held in Khon Kaen, Thailand, 21-23 May 2012. The Symposium will present case studies presenting the wealth of knowledge in indigenous communities in diverse ecosystems, the richness of their food resources, the strengths of the local traditional food systems, and the circumstances of the nutrition transition in indigenous communities. It will present evidence on local and traditional food systems and central role to public health improvement, and required policies at local, national and international levels for protection of food environments to ensure food security and nutritional quality. Documentation of local/traditional knowledge of use of diversity in developing strategies to cope with specific situations and recommendations made available on how to enhance good practices through their blending with scientific findings. The Symposium will help to identify policy options to promote greater use of local food diversity addressed and recommended at national and international level; and proposals for concrete short and medium term measures for actions needed to support conservation and sustainable use of indigenous and traditional foods to improve nutrition. This event will serve as the basis for future dialogue, debate and information exchange and facilitate wider support for an international movement committed to the implementation of effective, sustainable and long-term food-based solutions to hunger and malnutrition. As part of preparatory work for symposium, papers to be presented at the Symposium and be part of a publication on âIndigenous and Traditional food systems of Asia and the Pacificâ are now being solicited.







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