News

POF está recibiendo solicitudes de financiamiento para su aprobación en julio 2012.  Como aplicar.

Peru Opportunity Fund is now accepting applications for July 2012 grant approval.  Deadline for receipt of project profile is 16 December 2011.  How to apply.

Peru Opportunity Fund ha redefinido recientemente su estrategia para enfocarse en la agricultura sostenible en Perú.  Aprenda más sobre lo que financiamos.

Peru Opportunity Fund recently refined its strategy to focus on sustainable agriculture in Peru.  Learn about what we fund.

Albina Ruiz, presidenta de Ciudad Saludable, recibió el premio Fairness Award 2011 el 8 de November in Washington, D.C, que honra a los líderes que dedican su vida y su trabajo a abrir oportunidades a los sectores más pobres y marginados del mundo.

http://www.ciudadsaludable.org/noti-AlbinaRuiz-recibe-FairnessAward.html

Albina Ruiz, president of Ciudad Saludable, was honored on 8 November in Washington, D.C with the 2011 Fairness Award, presented by the Global Fairness Initiative, which promotes equitable, sustainable approaches to economic development.

http://www.fairnessaward.org/albina_ruiz.html

On World Food Day, 17 October, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture announced it would promote consumption of traditional Andean products, such as amaranth and quinoa, to help mitigate the rising commodity prices.  The Minister of Agriculture, Miguel Caillaux, said that improving financing, technology, production, associativity and resource management (especially water) for small producers was essential for getting them into competitive markets and for improving Peru’s self-sufficiency.

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?Id=I8c8MC9ybGQ= (very basic English article)

http://www.minag.gob.pe/notas-de-prensa-2011/minag-programas-del-sector-impulsaran-pequena-agricultura-para-elevar-produccion-de-alimentos.html (detailed Spanish article)

El gobierno ha firmado un convenio de cooperación con Sierra Exportadora.  El objetivo es apoyar a las comunidades de pequeñas unidades agrarias, fortaleciendo su participación dentro del mercado nacional, conectándolas con los internacionales, promoviendo productos como: las habas, los arándanos, las frambuesas, la quinua; entre otros.  También buscará complementar sus esfuerzos, recursos y capacidades, en coordinación con el Estado y la empresa privada.

http://www.agrototalnoticias.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=632:conveagro-y-sierra-exportadora-intercambiaron-proyectos-se-priorizaran-zonas-rurales&catid=48:gremios&Itemid=76

http://www.andina.com.pe/Espanol/noticia-sierra-exportadora-fortalecera-capitalizacion-pequenas-unidades-agrarias-del-pais-382600.aspx

A new report from Christian Aid states that the current Green Revolution in Africa’s use of modern seed varieties requires the use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides, which accelerates soil degradation and destroys crop diversity while encouraging farmers to go into debt.  The report encourages: diversification of crops; nutrient recycling; using renewable, locally available resources; and low external-input organic soil and crop management techniques such as integrated pest management and zero or low till farming.

http:/www.christianaid.org.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/october-2011/african-green-revolution-ignores-downside-intensive-farming-1310.aspx (summary article)

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/Healthy-Harvests-Report.pdf (full report)

El rol de la agricultura no solo es importante para el éxito de la gastronomía peruana o para ferias como Mistura. También es importante porque es una actividad económica estratégica para el país, de la que vive el 30% de la población. Ninguna otra actividad productiva se le compara. Video que muestra los desafíos de la pequeña agricultura.

http://cepesrural.lamula.pe/2011/09/28

A special issue of the Water International coordinated by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research's Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) concludes that the key water problem is not scarcity but inefficient use of supplies due to poor governance and regulation.
http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/water/news/world-has-enough-water-for-future-food-needs.html

An overview of the trend for governments and international agencies to reduce poverty by educating small farmers about more efficient, sustainable agriculture practices.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2011/0920/A-push-to-farm-smarter-not-bigger-to-feed-the-world-s-hungry

With help from Asociación Andina Cusichaca, rural Andean farmers are rebuilding terraces and channels to improve irrigation, returning to methods and crops used by their ancestors, the Incas.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Farming-Like-the-Incas.html

NPR reporter visits community where Asociación Andina Cusichaca is working.

http://www.pri.org/stories/science/environment/dealing-with-climate-change-by-reviving-ancient-andean-culture5839.html