News on Research from Peru

Un análisis genómico realizado por un equipo internacional identificó este evento de hibridación natural entre especies andinas. La papa tendría su origen en el tomate.

A study reveals that potatoes originated from a hybridisation event 9 million years ago in the Andes, when tomato ancestors crossed with Etuberosum plants. This allowed potatoes to form tubers, leading to the diverse species we rely on today.

The International Potato Center (CIP) has announced that Dr. Hugo Campos, Deputy Director General for Science and Innovation of CIP, has been selected as a 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) by the World Food Prize Foundation.

Dr. Neeraj Sharma has been appointed as CIP's Country Manager for India, effective June 9, 2025. A veteran in potato R&D, he will lead strategy, partnerships, and operations to boost sustainable agriculture and food security in India.

In the 1990s, a previously uncharacterized disease of viral aetiology was observed in cultivated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in Southern Peru.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed USD 29,668,667 to CGIAR for the breeding of improved Root, Tuber, and Banana (RTB) crops that lie at the heart of many African agri-food systems.

Investigación de clones en cultivos de papas nativas, viene desarrollando el Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA) del Ministerio de Desarrollo Agrario y Riego (MIDAGRI) en la región Junín.

The International Potato Center (CIP) Board of Trustees and CGIAR leadership have appointed Dr. Simon Heck as Director General of CIP and CGIAR Senior Director.

The International Potato Center (CIP), part of CGIAR is looking for a new director. CIP is a globally recognized research-for-development organization which delivers solutions to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, with focus on root and tuber agri-food systems such as the cultivation of (sweet) potatoes.

The Lima-based International Potato Center’s (CIP) work to reduce hunger and malnutrition, boost farmer resilience, and catalyze income improvements generated benefits for men and women in more than 30 countries last year.

Además, ha liberado una nueva raza de cuy, reconocido 5 zonas de agrobiodiversidad y el mejoramiento genético de ganado. Entidad técnica del MIDAGRI ha generado tecnología en favor de 2 millones de pequeños y medianos agricultores a nivel nacional.

Following the untimely passing of Dr. Barbara Wells on 16 February last, the Board of Trustees of the International Potato Center (CIP) has appointed Dr. Oscar Ortiz as Director-General ad interim.

A new potato or sweet potato variety represents only the "tip of the iceberg," concealing hundreds, if not thousands, of hours invested in testing and developing that variety.

La papa Yungay, una de las variedades más apreciadas del entrañable tubérculo andino por su calidad y sabor, lleva ese nombre en honor a las víctimas del devastador terremoto de 1970.

Once neglected by urban consumers, Andean native potatoes are now essential ingredients for some of the most sophisticated gastronomy of the world. An overview by André Devaux and others, first published in Choices Magazine

The characterization of six varieties of native Andean potatoes with a wide biodiversity in tuber shape, flesh, and skin color was performed, through the determination of their proximate composition, mineral content, and phenolic profile.

Biodiversity loss threatens national security. We need to invest in technologies to preserve our vital food varieties.

The potato is known to be a good source of energy, potassium, and vitamins C and B6, but according to research recently published in the Journal of Nutrition, its tubers can also be an excellent source of iron.