New varieties of potato resilient to climate change

The National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP) works, among other things, on genetic improvement and the development of new varieties that produce more in less time and better quality.

The institute believes that shorter crop cycles would be one of the keys to combat the purple tip in potatoes, a disease that during 2019 destroyed several plantations in Ecuador.

The INIAP Libertad variety is one of these varieties that can be harvested in 4 months and has a high resistance to diseases that can attack this tuber, it is also rich in vitamin C, iron and zinc, its production exceeds 30 tons/hectare and it is 14 times more environmentally friendly compared to other materials.

Another variety that can bring good results for producers, especially in dry areas, is the INIAP Josefina variety since it has a high resistance in environments with water deficits. This potato can produce, in areas of little rain, over 27 tons/hectare. with 36% less water compared to the Superchola variety, which is the most cultivated.