Case Study: Collaborative Crop
Research in Action
The McKnight Foundation Support for Andean Grains
Research and Development in Bolivia and Ecuador
By Douglas Horton
Commissioned by The McKnight Foundation
July 2014
Foreword
The McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) funds
collaborative crop research between smallholder farmers, leading local researchers, and
development practitioners to explore solutions for sustainable local food systems. Currently
the CCRP funds 120 grantee organizations in 70 research projects in 12 countries.
In 2012, the program decided to undertake a series of case studies to better understand the
impact and lessons of their interventions and those of selected grantees over the years.
The case study method was chosen to combine qualitative and quantitative data in a
format focused on utilization. The program, grantee, and larger community can
subsequently learn and improve research for development outcomes going forward.
This Andean Grains case study is the first in the series and is an excellent example of
how this approach can provide insightful evidence and analysis that informs various
hypotheses about how best to undertake more relevant and rigorous research. Ultimately,
the goal is to embolden small-scale farmers in the Andes to improve their livelihoods.
The report affirms the benefits of the flexibility, support, and capacity strengthening the
CCRP provides, as well as the power of its collaborative and participatory approaches. It
points to the need to more fully engage outside actors in the quinoa sector in Bolivia and
the Andean grains sectors in Ecuador to better understand how these two research
programs fit into the larger market and consumption trends. Finally, it reveals the need
for more systematic project level data on the impact and reach of seed and other
technologies to better inform future case studies.
Jane Maland Cady, International Program Director
The McKnight Foundation
Rebecca Nelson, CCRP Scientific Director
Cornell University
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Contents Acronyms & Abbreviations .........................................................................................4 Summary ....................................................................................................................5 1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................7 2. The Andean Grains Programs .............................................................................. 11 Andeangrains:theirnatureanddynamicsinthecontextofagriculturaldevelopment................................11 DevelopmentofthenationalAndeangrainsprograms................................................................................................17 3. Results of the Andean Grains Programs .............................................................. 23 Productsproducedandservicesrendered........................................................................................................................23 Contributionstonetworking,innovation,andpolicies................................................................................................27 Lessonslearned.............................................................................................................................................................................31 4. The CCRP Approach to Supporting Andean Grains R&D ...................................... 32 TheMcKnightFoundation’sCollaborativeCropResearchProgram.......................................................................32 EvolutionofCCRPsupport.......................................................................................................................................................33 CCRPcontributionstoprogram‐levelcapacityandperformance............................................................................36 LessonsfortheCCRP...................................................................................................................................................................40 References ................................................................................................................ 41 About the Author ..................................................................................................... 43 Page 3 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Acronyms & Abbreviations AEI
APROSANAMY
Agroecologicalintensification
AsociacióndeProductoresdeSemillasyAlimentosNutricionalesAndinos,
MushukYuyay(AssociationofProducersofSeedandNutritiousAndeanFoods,
“NewThinking”),Cañar,Ecuador
BYU
BrighamYoungUniversity
CABOLQUI
CámaraBolivianadeExportadoresdeQuinuayProductosOrgánicos(Bolivian
ChamberofExportersofQuinoaandOrganicProducts)
CADEQUIR
CámaraDepartamentaldelaQuinuaRealdelDepartamentodePotosí
(DepartmentalChamberforQuinoaReal,DepartmentofPotosi),Bolivia
CCRP
CollaborativeCropResearchProgram
CGIAR
ConsultativeGrouponInternationalAgriculturalResearch
CIAL
LocalAgriculturalResearchCommittee(ComitédeInvestigaciónAgrícola
Local)
CoP
CommunityofPractice
CORPOPURWA CorporacióndeProductoresdeLeguminosasyGranosAndinosdelPueblo
Puruwa(AssociationofProducersofLegumesandAndeanGrainsoftheVillage
ofPuruwa),Chimborazo,Ecuador
DANIDA
Danish InternationalDevelopmentAgency
FAO
FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations
FAOSTAT
OnlinestatisticaldatabaseoftheFAO
FFS
FarmerFieldSchool
IBTA
InstitutoBolivianodeTecnologíaAgropecuaria(BolivianInstitutefor
AgriculturalTechnology)
IFAD
InternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopment
IMEP
Integratedmonitoring,evaluation,andplanning:systemdevelopedbythe
CCRPtofosterlearningandprogramimprovement
INIAF
InstitutoNacionaldeInnovaciónAgropecuariayForestal(NationalInstitute
forAgricultural,Livestock,andForestryInnovation),Bolivia
INIAP
InstitutoNacionalAutónomodeInvestigacionesAgropecuarias(National
AutonomousInstituteforAgriculturalandLivestockResearch),Ecuador
IPM
Integratedpestmanagement
NGO
Non‐governmentalorganization
PROINPA
FundaciónparalaPromocióneInvestigacióndeProductosAndinos
(FoundationforInvestigationandPromotionofAndeanProducts),Bolivia
R&D
Researchanddevelopment
SDC
SwissAgencyforDevelopmentandCooperation
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Summary TheMcKnightFoundationcommissionedacasestudyofitssupporttoAndeangrainsresearch
anddevelopment(R&D)inBoliviaandEcuadorthroughtheCollaborativeCropResearch
Program(CCRP).Takingasystemsperspective,thestudywasdesignedtoassessthe
developmentandresultsofthenationalAndeangrainsprograms,learnaboutCCRP
contributionstotheseprograms,andformulatelessonsforimprovingthenationalprogramsand
futureCCRPsupport.
Thestudyconcludedthat,althoughmostofthefactorsinfluencingAndeangrainsproductionand
usearebeyondthecontrolofnationalR&Dprograms,theyhavemadeimportantcontributions
toinnovationwithAndeangrainsinBoliviaandEcuador.Theprogramshave:
•
Releasednewvarieties,workedwithfarmerstoimproveseedquality,and
identifiednewwaystomanagepestswithminimaluseofchemicalpesticides;
•
Generatedanddisseminatedinformationonwaystoimproveproductionand
diversifyusesofquinoa,lupine,andamaranth;
•
Influencedpublicpoliciesand,throughimprovedrelationshipsandnetworks
involvingeconomicactorsandagriculturalserviceproviders,facilitatedinnovation
processesandstrengthenedthecapacityforinnovationwithAndeangrainsinthe
twocountries.
SincetheproductionandmarketingconditionsforAndeangrainsareconstantlychanging,
nationalprogramsneedtodevelopsustainableR&Dcapacitiestorespondtochangingneedsand
opportunities.Criticalisdevelopingeffectivecapacitiesfornetworkingandbrokeringinnovation
processes.Byemphasizingsystemschangethroughcollaborativeresearch,knowledgesharing,
andcapacitybuilding,theCCRPhasmadeimportantcontributionstodevelopingsuchcapacities
inthetwocountries.Agrowingconcernforthenationalprogramsisdevelopingsustainable
financialstrategiestoreducetheirdependenceonexternaldonorsaswellasonthenational
treasury.
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1. Introduction TheMcKnightFoundationbeganfundingcropresearchwiththePlantBiologyProgram,which
ranfrom1983to1992.ThefollowingyearitlaunchedtheCollaborativeCropResearchProgram
(CCRP)toprovidesupportforagriculturalresearchindevelopingcountries.McKnighthas
commissionedaseriesofcasestudiestobetterunderstandtheCCRPapproachanditsresultsin
AfricaandtheAndeanregionofSouthAmericaandtoimprovefuturegrantmaking.TheAndean
casestudy,thefindingsofwhichfollow,focusedonMcKnight’sR&DsupportofAndeangrainsin
BoliviaandEcuador.Theterm“Andeangrains”referstograinsandgrainlegumesthathavebeen
domesticatedintheAndesandhavelongbeenconsideredneglectedandunderutilized.
McKnighthassupportedquinoaresearchinBoliviaattheFoundationforInvestigationand
PromotionofAndeanProducts(PROINPA),andquinoa,lupine,andamaranthresearchin
EcuadorattheNationalInstituteforAgriculturalandLivestockResearch(INIAP)throughtheir
legumeandAndeangrainsprograms.Begunin2001theBolivianprojectisthelongest‐running
CCRP‐supportedprojectintheAndes.TheEcuadorianproject,whichbeganin2005,ispartofthe
secondcohortofCCRPprojectsintheAndes.Bothhaveengagedinawiderangeofactivitiesover
theyears,including:
•
Germplasmcollection,characterization,conservation,anduseinthedevelopment
ofnewvarieties;
•
Developmentandpromotionofimprovedpracticesforcultivation,pest
management,andharvestandpost‐harvestoperations;
•
DiversificationofusesofAndeangrains,publicawareness,andpolicyinfluence.
ThesearetheonlytwoprojectsintheCCRPAndesportfoliothatincludegeneticimprovement
andthereleaseofnewcropvarieties.
AlthoughtheinitialmotivationforanalyzingMcKnight’ssupportforAndeangrainsR&Dcame
fromwithintheFoundation,thestudywasalsotobeofusetomembersoftheAndeangrains
programsandtoPROINPAandINIAPseniormanagementforimprovingtheirR&Defforts.Inthis
sense,itisa“utilizationfocusedevaluation”doneforandwithspecificintendedprimaryusers
forspecific,intendeduses(Patton,2012).Itwasexpectedthatthestudywouldalsobeofuseto
individualsandorganizationsconcernedwiththeuseandconservationofAndeangrains,along
withotherneglectedandunderutilizedspecies,toimprovefoodsecurityandpromote
sustainabledevelopment.Theseprioritieswereexpressedinthestudy’sthreeobjectives:
1. ToassessthedevelopmentandresultsoftheAndeangrainsR&Dprogramsinthetwo
countries
2. ToassessthecontributionsoftheCCRPtoAndeangrainsR&Dinthetwocountries
3. ToformulatelessonsforimprovingtheAndeangrainsprogramsaswellasfutureCCRP
support
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FollowingHargreaves(2010)andPatton(2011),thestudytookanapproachthatreflected
systemsthinking.TheCCRP’sworkintheAndeswasviewedasa“systemschangeintervention”
thataimstobringaboutchangesinnationalAndeangrainsR&Dprograms.Thesechanges,in
turn,areexpectedtocontributetochangesintheproductionandconsumptionofAndeangrains
and,ultimately,topovertyreduction,foodsecurity,andconservationofagrobiodiversityand
othernaturalresources.AchievingtheAndeangrainsprograms’goalswouldrequiretargeting
manydifferentsystems:farming,marketing,policy‐making,publicopinion,andhousehold
consumption.Hence,thestudywasconcernedwithnumerousinteractingand“entangled”
systems,whichincludedtheCCRP,thenationalAndeangrainsprograms,theirhost
organizations,andthebroaderinnovationandfoodsystemsofwhichtheyformpartsandseekto
influence.
Thiscasestudywasnotintendedtobean“impactevaluation”inthetraditionalsense.Itdidnot
seektoassesstheimpactsoftheCCRPortheAndeangrainsprogramsondistantsocioeconomic
variablessuchasruralwelfare,foodsecurity,ornaturalresourceconservation.Rather,inthe
spiritofcontributionanalysis(Mayne,2013),thestudysoughttounderstandthecontributions
oftheCCRPtothecapacityandperformanceofAndeangrainsR&DinBoliviaandEcuadorand
theinfluencesoftheseprogramstochangesinpublicperceptions,policies,andtheproduction
anduseofAndeangrains.
Thestudywasbasedoncasestudyresearchmethods(Yin,2009)anddrewonfourmainsources
ofinformation:
1.
PrintedanddigitalpublicationsandinformationonAndeangrains
2.
UnpublishedreportsontheCCRPandtheAndeangrainsprograms
3.
Visitstofieldsitesandkeyinformantinterviewswithprogramstakeholders
4.
Participatoryreviewworkshopsconductedatthebeginningandendofeach
countryvisit
InthisstudywedistinguishedR&Dfrominnovation.WhereasR&Dinvolvesthegenerationand
disseminationofscientificknowledge,innovationisabroaderconceptconcernedwith“theuse
ofnewideas,newtechnologies,ornewwaysofdoingthingsbypeopleandinplaceswherethey
havenotbeenusedbefore”(Barnett,2004:1,emphasisadded).Aninnovationsystemextends
beyondthecreationofknowledgetoencompassthefactorsaffectingdemandforanduseofnew
andexistingknowledgeinnovelways(WorldBank,2007:6‐7;2012).
Manypeoplehavecontributedtotheplanningandexecutionofthisstudy.Ithankthefarm
families,businesspeople,researchers,anddevelopmentprofessionalswhometwithmein
EcuadorandBoliviaandwhogavegenerouslyoftheirtimeandknowledge.
EduardoPeraltaandthemembersofINIAP’slegumesandAndeangrainsprogramandAlejandro
BonifacioandthemembersofPROINPAinBoliviamadeexcellentarrangementsforthecountry
visits;preparedusefulpresentationsonanddocumentationoftheirwork;organizedmyvisitsto
researchfacilities,farmingcommunities,andmarkets;wereexcellenthostsduringmyvisitsto
EcuadorandBolivia;respondedtonumerousrequestsforadditionalinformationand
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clarificationsafterthefieldwork;andprovideddetailedcommentsandsuggestionsfor
improvingthisreport.TheseniormanagementteamsofINIAPandPROINPAactivelysupported
thestudyandtookthetimetomeetwithmeanddiscusstheirorganizations’workandviewson
AndeangrainsR&D.
ClaireNicklinandCarlosPerez,CCRP’sregionalrepresentativeandliaisonscientistintheAndes,
respectively,providedabundantinformationandusefulinsightsontheCCRPanditsworkin
EcuadorandBolivia.Clairealsocoordinatedtheoverallstudy,greatlyfacilitatingmywork.The
program’sleadershipteamparticipatedactivelyinplanningthestudyandprovideduseful
commentsonapreliminaryversionofthefinalreport.
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2. The Andean Grains Programs Andean grains: their nature and dynamics in the context of agricultural development TheAndeanregionofSouthAmericaisoneoftheworld’smajorcentersofplantdomestication.
IndigenouspeoplesdomesticatedanumberofcropsknownasAndeangrains,includingquinoa
(Chenopodiumquinoa),amaranth(Amaranthuscaudatus,A.quitoensis),lupin(Lupinusmutabilis),
andkañiwa(alsoknownascañihuaorcañahua)(Chenopodiumpallidicaule).PriortotheSpanish
conquest,thesecropswerehighlyprizedfortheirrusticity,adaptationtohighlandgrowing
conditions,andnutritionalquality.However,duringtheColonialandRepublicaneras,these
cropswerefrequentlydisparagedas“foodforIndians.”Asothercropswereintroduced,the
cultivationandconsumptionofAndeangrainsdeclined,practicallydisappearingfromcitiesand
manyfarmingcommunities(NationalResearchCouncil,1989).
AndeangrainsarestillminorcropsinmostoftheAndes.Nevertheless,growinginterestin
quinoaandamaranthashealthfulfoodsandinlupines1asatastysnackfoodandingredientin
moderndishesisdrivingincreasesintheirproductionandconsumptionthroughouttheAndes.
Thereisstrongexternaldemandforquinoa,particularlyorganicquinoa,butlimitedproduction
andR&Dtosupportsuchproduction.Stronginternationaldemandalsoexistsfororganic
amaranth,butproductionandmarketdevelopmentinEcuadorandelsewhereintheregionare
extremelylimited.Domesticdemandisrelativelystrongforlupines,asignificantsumofwhichis
satisfiedbyPeruviansuppliers.
InEcuador,quinoaandamaranthwereimportantinthefarmingsystemsanddietsofindigenous
peopleinthehighlands.However,theirimportancedeclinedsignificantlyinColonialand
Republicanerasand,inmanyareas,theyhavepracticallydisappeared.Manyfarmershavelost
boththeiramaranthnativevarietiesandthepracticalknowledgeassociatedwiththeir
cultivation.Recentinternationalinterestinthesecropshasstimulatedlocalinterestintheir
cultivation.Anumberofnon‐governmentalorganizations(NGOs)havebeguntoworkwithsmall
farmerstoexpandcultivationandexportationofquinoa.Whilelocalquinoaconsumption
remainslow,theintroductionofprocessedquinoaproductshasstimulatedlocalconsumption
somewhat.Marketagentshavereceivedexpressionsofinterestinamaranth,buthavebeen
unabletoidentifylocalsourcesofsupplytosatisfythepotentialinternationalmarketdemand.
InBolivia,quinoahasbeenanimportantcropandfoodsourcesinceitsdomestication.Itisoneof
thefewcropsthatflourishesinthecold,semi‐aridconditionsofthisuniqueecologicalregion.
Quinoacultivationhasalwaysbeenmostimportantinthesouthernaltiplano,inthedepartments
ofOruroandPotosi,aroundtheUyunisaltflat2,aregionrangingfromabout3,500tomorethan
4,000metersabovesealevel.Here,anumberoflandraces(ecotypes)ofQuinuaRealflourishand
producelargegrainsthatarepreferredbybothBolivianandforeignconsumersandthatfetch
highpricesoninternationalmarkets.StrongdemandfororganicquinoainEuropeandother
1LupinisknowninEcuadoras“chocho,”inPeruandBoliviaas“tarwi”or“tarui,”andlupinorlupine
beanincommonEnglish.
2TheSalardeUyuniistheworld’slargestsaltflat.
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foreignmarketsoverthepastdecadehasunchaineda“quinoaboom”inBolivia’ssouthern
altiplanobutalsoarapidexpansionofquinoacultivationinnewareas,bothinthecentraland
northernaltiplanoandinvalleysatlowerelevations.
Inthetraditionalfarmingsystemsofthesouthernaltiplano,beforethequinoaboom,fewpests
affectedthequinoacropandfarmersdidnotapplychemicalpesticides.Quinoawaspartofan
agropastoralsystemthatincludedllamas.Theboomhasledtoreducedcroprotation,fallowing,
andllamaherding,whileintensifiedproductionhasresultedinincreasedpestproblems.These
changesinfarmingpracticesalsoappeartobeleadingtoreducedsoilfertilityandincreased
winderosion,andsomeobserversfearthatthequinoaboomisconvertingthesouthernaltiplano
intoanunproductive“dustbowl”andjeopardizingthelivelihoodsoflocalpeople(Jacobsen,
2011).Suchfearshavebeenwidelyreportedinnewsoutlets,includingTheGuardianandMother
Jones.However,asWinkelandcolleagues(2012)note,theenvironmentalanddietaryimpactsof
thequinoaboomarefarlessclear‐cutandnegativethaninitialreportshaveindicated.
Theavailablequinoastatistics(Figures1–3)indicatethatPeruwasthelargestproducerinthe
1960s,withBoliviadominatingsince.Recently,estimatedquinoaproductionhasincreasedmore
rapidlyinPeruthanBoliviaand,ifthecurrenttrendscontinue,PeruwillsurpassBoliviaasthe
largestquinoaproducerinthenearfuture.3Ecuador’sannualquinoaproductionhasremained
small:around1,000tonsthroughouttheperiod.Inbothcountries,themainforcedrivingquinoa
productionhasbeenchangeintheareaharvested.Quinoayieldshavegenerallyfluctuated
between400kgand1,000kg/hawithnodiscernibletrend,exceptinPeru,whereyieldshave
beenincreasingsincethe1990s.
3Itisimportanttonote,however,thatanunrecordedandunknownbutpresumablysignificantamountofquinoa
enterssouthernPerueachyearfromtheBolivianaltiplano.
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Figure1.Quinoa:Productionbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)4
Figure2.Quinoa:Harvestedareabycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
Figure3.Quinoa:Yieldsbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
4ThesourceisFAOSTAT,theonlinedatabaseoftheFAO,whichincludestimeseriesandcrosssectionaldatarelating
tofoodandagriculturefor245countriesandterritoriesfrom1961tothemostrecentyear(accessedJune13,
2013).ForFigures1–9,FAOSTAT’sannualestimateswereusedtocalculateandplotthree‐yearmovingaverages.
Theyearsindicatedonthehorizontalaxisofeachfigurecorrespondtothemidpointofeachthree‐yearmoving
average.
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AvailablequinoatradestatisticsshowthecleardominanceofBolivianexportsandthedramatic
run‐upinthevolumeandespeciallythevalueofquinoaexportsoverthelastdecade.Since2000,
thevolumeofBolivianquinoaexportshasincreasednearlytentimesand,since2005,theprice
hastripled(Figures4–6).
Figure4.Quinoa:Volumeofexportsbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
averages)
Figure5.Valueofexportsbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
Figure6.Quinoa:Exportpricebycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
AvailablelupinestatisticsindicatethatEcuadorwastheleadinglupineproducerinthe1960sbut
itsproductionhassincebeenoutstrippedbyPeru’s.Peruvianlupineproductionfellduringthe
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1980swhenterrorismdisruptedagriculturalproductionbuthasincreaseddramaticallysince
theearly1990s.InPeru,lupineyieldsfellduringthe1960s,1970s,and1980s,recovering
somewhatoverthelasttwodecadestojustover1t/ha.Ecuador’syieldsfelluntilthemid‐1970s,
thenincreaseddramaticallyuntilthemid‐1980s,andthenfellagaintoaround500kg/ha.In
Bolivia,lupinesareproducedinthenorthernaltiplanoandinhighlandvalleys.Anunknownbut
presumablysignificantamountofBolivia’slupinesisexportedtoPeru,withsomeshippedto
Ecuador.RecentlupinepriceshaveincreasedinBolivia,stimulatinginterestincultivatingthe
crop(Figures7–9).
Figure7:Lupin:Productionbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
Figure8:Lupin:Harvestedareabycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
Figure9:Lupin:Yieldsbycountry(three‐yearmovingaverages)
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“OurgrandparentsplantedquinoaandothercropsinAugust.Butnowtherainsdon’tcomeuntil
November.Climatechangeisveryrealforushere.”
—ElíasVargas,smallfarmer,enCachilaya,northernaltiplano,Bolivia
“Wewanttorelivetheagriculturethatwasfromour‘taitas’[Quechuawordforparents]andto
protectthepachamama[QuechuawordforMotherEarth].”
—Member,APROSANAMYfarmerorganization,Ecuador
“Weareworkingwithaproduct[quinoa]thathaschangedthelivesofmanypeople…
Butunfortunatelymanyproducershaveashort‐termmentalityandthink,
‘I’dbettergetrichnoworIneverwill.’”
—PaolaMejía,generalmanager,CABOLQUI,Bolivia
“Farmlandisn’tboughtorsoldhere;itbelongstoeveryoneinthecommunity,butsomepeoplewho
leftthecommunityarenowreturningwithmoneyandtheywanttograballthelandtheycanto
growquinoa.Thisupsetsourwayoflife…Thosewholiveherehavetheirquinoaandtheirllamas.
Butthosewhoreturndon’thavellamasanddon’twantthemeither.
Theyjustwanttomakemoneyfastgrowingquinoa.”
—SandroLópez,CADEQUIR,Uyuni,Bolivia
“Inmyvillagethereareonlyoldpeoplenow.Oncekidsgotoschoolintowntheyarenotgoingto
comebacktothevillagetoherdllamas.Theywanttoapplywhattheyhavelearnedinsomeway…
Youcanmakemoneyfastwithquinoa,butnotwithllamas.Youhavetotakecareofallamaforfour
orfiveyears,andifyoudon’ttakegoodcare,awolforamountainlionwilleatit...[Concerning
yields]thekeyfactorisrainfall.Whenitrains,yougetgoodyieldsevenonbadfields.Butifit
doesn’train,itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodyourseedisorhowmuchfertilizeryouputon;theyield
willbebad.”
—Receptionist,HotelGirasoles,Uyuni,Bolivia
“Withoutrealizingit,wehavedonealotofdamage…Wehaveexterminatedthellamasand
alpacas…Wearealsoeatingfewerpotatoesandlessquinoaandmorenoodlesandrice…Asfields
arecultivated,theyieldsdefinitelyfallovertime.Fieldsthathavebeencultivatedtwentyormore
yearshavesmallerplantsandloweryields.”
—WilderYucra,Chacala,Uyuni,Bolivia
“Thequinoacropisabitmysterious.Howcanitbegrowninsucharidareas?…Butitisn’ttruethat
quinoaconsumptionhasdroppedbecausemorequinoaisexported.Thetruthisthatquinoa
productionandsaleshavegrownalotandthatproducersstillkeeppartoftheirquinoatoeat…It’s
importanttorealizethatquinoahasneverbeenconsumedinthecity,exceptonholidayslike
Christmas.Wecitypeoplearenevergoingtoeatquinoaeveryday.Andit’salsoaliethatyieldsare
fallingdramatically…Theagriculturalfrontierisbeingextended,butwhereisthedesertification?”
—DavidSoraide,director,FundaciónAUTAPO,Oruro,Bolivia
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“Quinoaisnowaluxury.It’snolongeraccessibletopeoplewithlowincomes.”
—VíctorPacosillo,ownerandmanagerofaquinoaexportfirm,ElAlto,Bolivia
Development of the national Andean grains programs Institutional setting of Andean grains’ research and development InBolivia,quinoageneticbreedingbeganinthePatacamayaExperimentStationin1965based
onanagreementbetweenOXFAM/FAOandthegovernmentofBolivia(Gandarillas1986).Bythe
1990s,asolidprogramhadbeendevelopedwithinthenewlyestablishedBolivianInstitutefor
AgriculturalTechnology(IBTA)thatincludedgermplasmcollection,breeding,pestmanagement,
andagronomy.Overtheyears,IBTAreleasedanumberofnewvarietiesofquinoa.In1998,when
Boliviadecentralizedadministrativeresponsibilityformanyofitspublicservicesanddisbanded
IBTA,thequinoaprogramwasleftwithoutaninstitutionalhome.In1999,theprogramwas
assimilatedintothePROINPAFoundation.PROINPA5tookupthemandateforquinoaR&Dand,
overtime,reconstitutedandfurtherdevelopedtheprogramimplementedearlierbyIBTA.Since
itsinception,AndeangrainsR&DinPROINPAhasfocusedonquinoa,withcropssuchaskañiwa
andamaranthreceivingminorattention.
PROINPAisanindependentfoundationdedicatedtoagriculturalR&DinhighlandBolivia.The
factthatquinoaresearchisundertakenbyanindependentfoundationishighlyinnovativeinthe
LatinAmericancontext(Gandarillasetal.2007).Establishedin1989,PROINPAhasits
institutionalrootsinprojectsfundedbytheSwissAgencyforDevelopmentandCooperation
(SDC),whichsoughttoestablishasustainablecapacityforpotatoR&Dinthecountry.
TheMcKnightFoundation’ssupportofPROINPA’squinoaresearchstartedin2001withfunding
forthesustainableproductionofquinoaproject,acollaborationbetweenresearchersfrom
PROINPAandBrighamYoungUniversity.Itssupportforquinoaresearchcontinuesandhasbeen
decisiveforreconstitutingandconsolidatingBolivia’squinoagermplasmcollectionandlaterfor
expandingthecollection,characterizingandevaluatingit,anddevelopingprotocolsforthe
collection’sconservationandmanagement.ItprovidedPROINPA’sandBolivia’scorequinoa
researchfundinguntil2010,whentheBoliviangovernmentestablishedtheNationalInstitutefor
AgriculturalandForestryInnovation(INIAF).Atthattime,responsibilityformaintainingthe
nationalquinoagermplasmcollectionpassedfromPROINPAtoINIAF,whichalsobeganthe
developmentofacomprehensivequinoaresearchprogram.However,developmentoftheINIAF
researchprogramhasbeenslow,andPROINPAcontinuestobethecountry’srecognizedleader
inquinoaresearch.Recently,PROINPAandINIAFsignedacooperativeagreementforconducting
R&Donquinoa,potato,andwheat.
In1962,EcuadorestablishedtheNationalAgriculturalResearchInstitute(INIAP)asasemi‐
autonomousentityattachedtoEcuador’sMinistryofAgricultureandwithacorebudgetfromthe
5PROINPAstartedin1989asthecontinuationofthedefunctIBTAsPotatoResearchProgram(Programade
InvestigacióndePapa)withtechnicalandmanagerialsupportfromtheInternationalPotatoCenter(CIP)and
fundingfromtheSwissAgencyforDevelopmentandCooperation(SDC).In1998itbecametheprivateFoundation
forthePromotionandResearchofAndeanProducts(FundaciónPromocióneInvestigacióndeProductosAndinos)
andexpandeditsrangeofresearchedcropsbeyondpotatoes(Gandarillasetal.2007).
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nationaltreasury.INIAPhasbenefittedfromanumberofinstitutionalstrengtheningloansfrom
theInter‐AmericanDevelopmentBankandothermultilateralandbilateralfundingagencies.In
recentyears,agriculturaldevelopmenthasnotbeenanationalpriority,andresourcesforINIAP
fieldoperationsneedtobegeneratedbyprogramsthroughexternallyfundedprojectsorthesale
ofproductsandservices.INIAP’sAndeancropresearchactivitiesthereforerelysignificantlyon
externalsourcesoffunding.
INIAPdidnotcarryoutresearchonAndeangrainsuntilthelate1980s,whenworkonlupin
beganintheAndeancropsprogram,whichwasdismantledinthelate1990s,transferringwork
onlupintoINIAP’slegumesprogram.Later,quinoawasaddedand,mostrecently,amaranth.
FewuniversitiesororganizationsconductresearchonAndeangrains,andINIAPcontinuestobe
theleadorganizationinthisfield.McKnight’sinitialsupportforINIAP’slupin/quinoaproject
datesfrom2005andcontinuestoday.
How have the programs evolved over time? Bothcountryprogramsarerelativelysmall.Annually,PROINPA’squinoaprogramemploysabout
7.5person‐yearsofscientificstaff,whileINIAP’sAndeangrainsprogramemploysabout3.3
person‐years.TheBolivianprogramhasmorehighlytrainedresearchersandattractsseveral
studentsforthesisresearcheachyear,augmentingitsresearchcapacity.
Overthepastdecade,toexpanditsimpactsandenhanceitsrelevance,theBolivianprogramhas
broadeneditsscopefromgermplasmcollectionandbreedingtoincludeintegratedcropandpest
management,diversificationofquinoauses,and,mostrecently,soilconservationandnatural
resourcesmanagement.Meanwhile,tobringitsscopeofactivitiesinlinewithavailable
resources,theEcuadorianprogramhasovertimenarroweditsfocus.
Inrecentyears,toimprovethelinkageofresearchwithdevelopmentefforts,disseminate
researchresults,andachievemorewidespreadimpacts,bothprogramshaveintensifiedtheir
partneringandaddressedissuesbeyondthefarmlevelandalongthemarketchain.
Bolivia’squinoaprogramhasrespondedtostrongcommercialdemandfororganicallycultivated
QuinoaRealandthethreatofenvironmentaldegradationbymovingaggressivelyintoR&D
aimedatimprovingfoodsecurity,expandingthedevelopmentanduseofbio‐inputstomanage
quinoapestsandimprovesoilfertility,andreintroducingnativeshrubstoprotectsoilsonthe
altiplanofromwinderosionandserveashostsforbeneficialinsectpopulations.Incontrastto
thePROINPAprogram,INIAP’sAndeangrainsprogramhasnotyetbegunR&Dworkonorganic
cultivationmethods.ThisreflectstheinstitutionalpositionofINIAP,whichisskepticalofthe
feasibilityoforganiccultivationinEcuadorianfarmingsystems.Consequently,thereislittle
communicationbetweenINIAPandorganicproducersandtheNGOsthatsupportthem.
Throughouttheirhistories,bothPROINPAandINIAPprogramshavesoughtnotonlytoimprove
cultivationbutalsotoexpandconsumptionofAndeangrains.Oneverysignificantchangeisthat,
overtime,bothprogramshavebecomemuchmoreexplicitlyparticipatoryandclient‐and
systems‐oriented.
When,beginningin2000,thequinoaprogramwasincorporatedintoPROINPA,itwasguidedby
Page 18 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
atraditional“GreenRevolution”modelofinnovationthatcenteredonbreedingandgenetics
(VanloquerenandBaret,2009).Theinitialprioritywastoreconstitutethegermplasmcollection,
whichwouldformthebedrockofthequinoa‐breedingprogram.
CollaborationwithBrighamYoungUniversity(BYU),financedinpartbyMcKnight,playeda
crucialroleincharacterizingtheBoliviangermplasmcollectionandestablishingacorequinoa
collectionbasedonagro‐morphologicalcharacters,geographicorigin,andmolecularmarkers.
Initially,PROINPA’squinoageneticimprovementprogramusedBolivianresearchfacilities
belongingtotheBensonInstituteofBYUforresearchondroughttoleranceandsaltstress.The
leaderofBolivia’squinoaprogram,AlejandroBonifacio,obtainedaPhDfromBYU,andAmalia
VargasandcompletedaMScdegreeatBYUwithathesisonquinoa.BYUplantpathologists
traveledtoBoliviatoscoresegregatingpopulationsformildewresistanceandcollectfungal
isolatesfromthesepopulations.WorkatBYUalsoaidedbreedingeffortsinBoliviabyevaluating
starchcontentinquinoagermplasmanddevelopingmethodsforusinggeneticmarkerstoassist
inselectionofgeneticlineswithspecifictraits.ThroughworkatBYU,amethodwasdeveloped
forreducingthemoisturecontentofquinoaseedsforlong‐termstorage.
Asthegermplasmcollectionbecameestablishedandcharacterized,programprioritiesshiftedto
varietalimprovement,seedproduction,anddistribution,aswellastointegratedcropandpest
managementandfarmertraining.Whentheproductionoforganicquinoaforexportbecamea
nationalpriority,PROINPArespondedbyintensifyingitsworkonintegratedpestmanagement
andbio‐inputs.Duetoemergingenvironmentalproblemsassociatedwiththequinoaboom,the
program’sperspectivehasbroadenedfromafocusonthequinoacropinisolation,to
understandingandimprovingquinoacultivationinthecontextoflocalfarmingsystemsand
ecologies.Currently,theprogramisgrapplingwithissuesofagroecologicalintensification,with
particularattentiontosoilconservation.Itssystems‐orientedR&Dworkseekstoensurethat
futureexpansionofquinoaproductioninthecentralandnorthernaltiplanodoesnotleadto
environmentaldestruction.
“Inthecentralaltiplano,wewanttoavoidwhathappenedinthesouth…Whenyouworkwith
livingsystems—withcropsandtheirpestsanddiseases—youmustcontinuouslybeonguardfor
newproblemsandlookfornewsolutions.Thejobisneverdone…Toimprovesoilshere,it’s
necessarytocombinescientificinformationwithlocalknowledge.Localpeopleclassifysoilsvery
differentlyfromthewayscientistsusuallydo.Farmersonthealtiplanogenerallyclassifysoilsby
theircapacitytoretainwater.”
—AlejandroBonifacio,plantbreederandleader,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
FormanyyearsthePROINPAprogramcarriedoutparticipatoryresearchgroundedinworkwith
smallgroupsofreferencefarmers.Thisapproachwasimportantfortechnologydevelopmentbut
inappropriatefortechnologydiffusion.Today,PROINPAisgoingbeyonditstraditionalwork
withfarmers.ItsemphasishasshiftedtoworkingwithNGOsandotherdevelopment‐oriented
organizationstoexpandtheuseofresearchresultsandpromotefarmerinnovationthroughan
initiativeknownas“scalingup”(“escalamiento”).Ithasalsobeguntoaddresstechnicalissues
thatemergethroughoutthemarketchainsprocesses(e.g.,pestproblemsinstorage,industrial
qualityofdistinctquinoaecotypesandvarieties,andtracingthesourcesofpesticideresiduesin
exportshipments).WhereasinitiallyPROINPAvieweditselfasaresearchorganization,
increasinglyitisfunctioningasaserviceorganizationthatservesnotonlyagriculturalproducers
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butalsoabroadrangeofstakeholdersconcernedwithproduction,marketing,andutilizationof
quinoaandpotatoes.
InEcuador,INIAP’sAndeangrainsprograminitiallyaddressedawiderangeoftopics,including
varietalimprovement,seedsystems,agro‐industry,strengtheningfarmers’researchcapacity,
andpromotionofmicro‐enterprises.Since2005,theprogramhasreduceditsworkonagro‐
industryandmicro‐enterprises,focusingmoreonvarietalimprovement,integratedpest
management(IPM),non‐conventionalseedsystems,andpromotionofconsumption.
Initially,atraditionalresearch‐and‐technology‐transferinnovationmodelguidedtheprogram.
Nonetheless,overtimeithasexpandedtheinvolvementoffarmersandmarket‐chainactorsin
itsreviews,planning,andresearchoperations.ThisisreflectedintheuseofLocalAgricultural
ResearchCommittees(CIALs)inselectionofvarietiesandintheinvolvementofstakeholdersin
annualprogramreviews.Initsworkinthreepartsofthehighlands(communitiesinthe
provincesofCotopaxi,Chimborazo,andCañar),theprogramhasappliedanintegratedapproach
forpromotingbothcultivationandconsumptionofAndeangrains.Buildingoninnovativework
inEcuadorandelsewhere,theprogramhasworkedwithcommunity‐basedorganizationsto
developnon‐conventionalseedsystemsthatcanprovidegood‐qualityseedwithoutresortingto
thecomplexandcostlyproceduresofformalseedcertificationsystems,whichhavenotproved
feasibleforminorcropssuchastheAndeangrains(Mazón,Peralta,andRivera,2012).Sincethe
beginning,theAndeangrainsprogramhasaggressivelyandsuccessfullypromotedthe
consumptionofAndeangrainsatboththecommunitylevelandonthebroadernationalstage.
TheAndeangrainsprogramsofBoliviaandEcuadordependheavilyonprojectfundingfrom
nationaland(mainly)internationalfunders.PROINPAfinancesaportionofitscorecostsfroman
endowment,butvirtuallyalloftheoperationalexpensesofitsresearchprograms,including
salaries,arefinancedthroughprojectsbasedonexternalsourcesoffunding.Asmallamountis
alsogeneratedthroughsaleofproductsandservices.InINIAP,researchers’salariesand
expensesassociatedwithbasicinfrastructurearepaidfromthepublictreasury,butvirtuallyall
expensesdirectlyassociatedwithresearchoperations(e.g.,transportation,inputs,labor,anduse
ofequipment)mustbepaidfromfundsacquiredthroughprojectsor(secondarily)thesaleof
productsorservices.
SinceMcKnightbegansupportingtheAndeangrainsprograms(in2001inBoliviaand2005in
Ecuador),ithasprovidedthemostcontinuouslong‐termsupportofanyfundingagency,
providingtheseprogramswithmorethanhalf(59percentoftotalprojectfundinginBoliviaand
54percentinEcuador)oftheirprojectfundingoverthesameperiod.
Program personnel and facilities PROINPA’squinoaprogramhasatotaloftwelvetechnicalstaffmembers,includingone
individualwithaPhDingenetics,sixwithMScdegrees,fouragriculturalengineers,andone
technician.Sixoftheseindividualsworkfull‐timefortheprogramwhilefiveworkpart‐time.The
program’stotalscientificstaffingequals7.45person‐years.
INIAP’sAndeangrainsprogramhasatotalofsixtechnicalstaffmembers,fourofwhomhaveMSc
degrees,andtwoagriculturalengineers.Allworkpart‐timeonAndeangrains.Theprogram’s
Page 20 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
totalscientificstaffingamountsto3.3personyears.
Eachyear,PROINPAstaffmemberssuperviseanumberofstudentsworkingonMSctheses,
augmentingtheprogram’sresearchcapacityconsiderably.AllcurrentmembersoftheEcuador’s
programarerelativelysenior.INIAPhasdifficultyattractingandretaininghighlytrainedyoung
professionals,includingthesisstudents.Incontrast,thePROINPAprogramhasamoreage‐
diversestaff,withyoungprofessionalsassumingimportantrolesintheprogramandproviding
betterprospectsforrenewalofprogramstaffovertime.
PROINPAhasaresearchcenterwithabouttwentyhectaresoflandinQuipaquipaninearLaPaz,
wheretheyconductquinoaresearch.Mostoftheprogram’sresearchisundertakenwithfarmer
collaborators.InadditiontoitsheadquartersatQuipaquipani,theprogramhasofficesinOruro
andUyuniinthecentralandsouthernaltiplano.InEcuador,becausetheSantaCatalina
experimentalstationisnotideallysuitedforAndeangrainsresearch,theprogramconductsmost
ofitsfieldresearchonfarmers’fieldsandonlandattheSimonRodriguezTechnicalInstitute.
Conductingmostoftheirresearchonfarmshastheadvantageofbringingresearchersinto
frequentcontactwithfarmersandtheconditionsunderwhichtheyoperate,helpingresearchers
developadeepknowledgeofthediversefarmingsystemsandmarketenvironmentsinwhich
Andeangrainsarecultivatedandutilized.Ontheotherhand,thelackofdedicatedresearch
facilitieslimitstheprograms’abilitytoconductsometypesofadvancedresearchundercarefully
controlledconditions.ItisworthmentioningthatPROINPA’spartnerBrighamYoungUniversity
doeshavecontrolledgreenhouseconditionswhereresearchersdodrought‐stressandsalt‐
tolerancebreedingwork.
Partnerships Multi‐organizationalcollaborationisrareinEcuadorandBolivia,andtherearefewexamplesof
successfuljointeffortstolinkagriculturalR&Dactivities.Itisnosurprisethenthat,initially,both
programstendedtoworkinisolation.Overtime,astheprogramspursuedmoreclient‐oriented
approachesanddemandsescalatedtoscaleupresultsanddemonstratelargerimpacts,the
programsfounditusefultostrengthentheirworkingrelationswithotherserviceprovidersas
wellaswithfarmerorganizationsandmarketagents.
InBolivia,threerecentinitiativeshavehelpedlinkPROINPAwithotherserviceproviders:
 Aconcertedeffortbythequinoaprogramtoscaleupimpacts
 AnefforttoidentifythesourceofpesticideresiduesinaquinoashipmenttoEurope
 CollaborationinplanningandexecutionofavisittoBoliviaofmajorquinoabuyersfrom
aroundtheworld
Initseffortstoscaleuptheuseofitsvarietiesandotherresearchresults,PROINPAnegotiated
collaborativeagreementswithseveralbusinessesandNGOs.Inthesecondinitiative,PROINPA
workedwiththefourorganizationsthatcertifyorganiccultivationpracticesandwiththe
country’smainquinoaexporters.Theirgoalwastoidentifypossiblesourcesofpesticide
residuesandmeasurethatcouldlimitthepossibilitythatpesticide‐contaminatedshipmentsof
quinoawerecertifiedasorganic.Inthethirdinitiative,ledbytheBolivianChamberofQuinoa
Page 21 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Exporters(Cabolqui),PROINPAstaffmembersprovidedtechnicalinputsandcontactsforfield
visits,organizedavisittoPROINPA’slaboratoriesandplantforproducingbio‐inputsin
Cochabamba,andaccompaniedthegroupduringtheirvisittothecountry.Thesuccessful
developmentofeachoftheseactivitiesrequiredcloseworkwitharangeofstakeholders,which
ledtoexpandedandstrengthenedworkingrelations.
From2005to2009,INIAP’sAndeangrainsprogramworkedwithaNGOtointegratelocal
AndeangrainsR&DeffortsintotheNGO’sbroaderprogramfornutritionalimprovementand
education.Theresultsweredisappointing.TheNGOdidnotprovetobecommittedand
eventuallywithdrewfromthearea.Sincethen,theprogramhasworkeddirectlywith
community‐levelorganizationsinthreepartsofthecountrytoimprovethecultivationand
processingofAndeangrainsandexpandconsumption.
Page 22 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
3. Results of the Andean Grains Programs Traditionally,programplanningandmonitoringfunctionshavebeenweakinagricultural
researchorganizationsingeneral,withevaluationbeingespeciallyweak(HortonandBorges‐
Andrade,1999).Overtime,attributedinparttotheurgingandsupportofMcKnight,theAndean
grainsprogramshaveimprovedthesefunctionsconsiderably.PROINPA’stechnicalmanagerhas
playedakeyroleinstrengtheningplanning,monitoring,andevaluationprocessesinthat
organization.InEcuador,twosignificantimprovementshaveincludedtheformulationofmore
realisticprogramobjectivesandtheinitiationofannualreviewmeetingsatwhichprogramstaff
andstakeholdersreviewtheyear’saccomplishmentsandidentifyareasforimprovement.
Inbothprograms,theelaborationofa“theoryofchange”(Vogel,2012)hashelpedprogramstaff
understandmoreclearlythevariouschangesthatwouldneedtobebroughtabout—bythe
programonitsownorincollaborationwithothers—toidentifyactionprioritiesandforthe
desiredoutcomestobeachieved.
Bothprogramshaveproducedanumberofvaluableproducts.Theyhavealsocontributedto
publicawarenessandpolicies,innovationcapacity,and,tosomeextent,changesinproduction
anduseofAndeangrains.
Products produced and services rendered BothprogramshavecollectedlandracesandwildspeciesofAndeangrainsandhavedeveloped
exsitugermplasmcollections.Boliviahasafull‐fledgedquinoa‐breedingprogram—oneoffew
andperhapsthemostproductiveintheworld.TheBoliviancollectionhasnearly3,200quinoa
accessions,800accessionsofcañahua(Chenopodiumpallidicaule),andbetweentwelveand224
accessionsofsixotherAndeangrainsandlegumes.PROINPAhasafull‐fledgedquinoa‐breeding
programthathasreleasedsevennewvarietiessince2003duringtheperiodofMcKnight
support.ThePROINPAprogramisnowthemostcomprehensiveandproductivequinoa‐
breedingprogramintheworld.Theprogramalsoevaluatestraditionalquinoavarietiesandhas
selectedseveralpromisingonesfordistributiontofarmers.Mostvarietiesareintendedforuse
inthecentralandnorthernaltiplano,buttwonewvarietieshavebeenselectedforthesouthern
altiplano.TheBolivianprogramisnowworkingonvarietiesthatareadaptedtogrowing
conditionsatlowerelevationininter‐Andeanvalleys.Furthermore,theprogramnowhasseven
additionaladvancedlinesthathaveresistancetomildewandareadaptedtocultivationatlower
elevations.
Between2001and2010,PROINPAworkedtocharacterizethegermplasm(usingagro‐
morphologicalandmolecularvariables),distributepromisinggermplasmtofarmers,and
developa“nucleargermplasmcollection”foruseingeneticimprovement.Thesupportand
collaborationofBrighamYoungUniversityhasbeencritical,especiallyinmappingthequinoa
genomeandindevelopingmethodsforgenetic‐marker‐assistedselectionforspecifictraitssuch
assaponincontent.In2010,PROINPAturnedthegermplasmcollectionovertoINIAF,whichhas
thenationalmandateforgermplasmcollection.PROINPAmaintainsanuclearcollectionforuse
inquinoabreeding.
Page 23 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Ecuador’sprogramhasabout600quinoaaccessions,480lupinaccessions,and434amaranth
accessions.TheEcuadorianprogramhasnotreleasednewlybredvarietiesbuthasidentifiedand
recommendedtofarmersvarietiesthathavebeenselectedfromexistinggeneticmaterials.
Varietalselectionhasbeenledbygeneticistswithactiveinvolvementfromfarmercollaborators.
Todate,theEcuadorianprogramhasnamedandrecommendedfivequinoavarieties,oneduring
theperiodofMcKnightsupportandfourpreviously.Similarly,ithasrecommendedtwolupine
varieties—onewithMcKnightsupport—andonevarietyofamaranth.Aquinoa‐breeding
programisbeingestablishedandexpectstobeginreleasingnewvarietiesinthenearfuture.
Overthelastfewyears,withthesupportfromPROINPA,INIA‐Chilebreeders,andMcKnight,
INIAPhasstartedaquinoaandlupinebreedingprogram,anditexpectstobeginreleasingnew
varietiesinthenearfuture.
Bothprogramshaveworkedtoproduceseed,improvethequalityoffarmers’plantingmaterial,
anddisseminateimprovedcropvarieties.Ecuador’sworkwithnon‐conventionalseedsystemsis
particularlyinterestingandmayhaveapplicationsinothercountries.PROINPAwasamongthe
firstsuppliersofcertifiedorganicquinoaseedandcontinuestoproducehigh‐qualityseed,
includingcertified,incollaborationwithsmall‐scaleproducers.AccordingtoPROINPAreports,
since2002,Bolivia’squinoaprogramandfarmercollaboratorshaveproducedaboutthirtytons
ofimprovedquinoaseedthatwasdistributedtofarmersinseveralregionalmarketsand,more
recently,throughcollaboratingNGOsineffortstoscaleuptheuseofnewvarietiesandbetter‐
qualityseeds.AccordingtoINIAPrecords,since2005,Ecuador’slegumesandAndeangrains
programanditsfarmercollaboratorshaveproduced5.9tonsofquinoaseeds,21.3tonsoflupin
seed,and285kgofamaranthseed.
PROINPAhasaspecializedteamworkingonintegratedpestmanagement(IPM)thathas
gatheredandsystematizedbasicinformationonquinoapests,beginningwiththetaxonomic
identificationofthemainpestsstudyoftheinsects’lifecycleduringthecroppingseasonand
fallowperiods.InEcuador,McKnightfundinghasallowedtheUniversityofGreenwich’sNatural
ResourcesInstitute(NRI)tosupportstudyatINIAPonlupinpests.
Tables1and2presentasummaryofthemostimportantproductsgeneratedandservices
renderedbythetwoprograms.
Page 24 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Table1.PROINPA’smainAndeangrainsproductsgeneratedandservicesrendered
Germplasmcollection,conservation,andutilization


RescueofIBTA’squinoagermplasmcollection(1999–2000),whichwasindangerofbeinglost
Consolidation,exsituconservation,evaluation,andutilizationoftheNationalGermplasmBankfor
AndeanGrains(2001–2010)
o Developmentofprotocolsforcollectinggermplasm
o Agro‐morphological,molecular,nutritional,andagro‐industrialcharacterization
o Developmentofaprotocolforlong‐termstorageofaccessions
o PromotionoftheNationalGermplasmBankforAndeanGrains
o Distributionofpromisingaccessionstofarmers
o Developmentofanucleargermplasmcollectionanditsuseforbreeding
 DeliveryoftheNationalGermplasmBankforAndeanGrainstoINIAF(2010)aftertenyearsof
buildingupandconservingthegermplasmcollection
 Continueduseofthenuclearcollectionforbreeding(2010+)
 Insituconservationofquinoageneticdiversity(2010+)
 PublicationofcataloguesoftheecotypesofQuinoaReal(2003and2012)
Breedingprogram

Developmentofoneofthemostadvancedquinoabreedingprogramsintheworld(late1960s–
present)
 FourteennewvarietiesreleasedbyIBTA(1970–1988)
 SevennewvarietiesreleasedbyPROINPA(2003–2011)(mainlyadaptedtogrowingconditionsin
Bolivia’snorthandcentralaltiplano,someadaptedtocultivationinlowervalleys)
 Sevenadvancedlineswithmildewresistanceandadaptedtocultivationinlower‐elevationareas
Seedproducedanddistributed

Thirtytonsofseedproducedanddistributedinthenorthernandcentralaltiplanosince2002.
Improvedseedisnowestimatedtocoverbetween60and75percentofthequinoainthese
regions.
Integratedpestmanagement

Basicinformationonmaininsectpests,includingscientificidentification,lifecycles,andnatural
enemies

Managementoptions(includingpheromonesandeco‐insecticides)identifiedordeveloped,tested,
andcombinedinastrategyfor“ecologicalpestmanagement”

DevelopmentwithU.S.andDutchpartnersofpheromonesforthequinoaarmyworm,and
associatedtrapsandguidelinesfortheiruse,nowappliedon8,000hainthesouthernaltiplano
Inputs

DevelopmentwithcolleaguesinPROINPAofbio‐inputsforquinoacultivationnowusedon10,000
hainthesouthernaltiplano
 Small‐scaleequipmentforthreshingandcleaninggrain,widelyusedbyfarmers
Informationdisseminated


Topicscovered:Improvedvarieties,qualityseed,EPM,harvestandpost‐harvesttechnology,
utilization,recipes
Formofdistribution:FFS;trainingcourses;fielddays;participationinscientific,developmentand
publicconferencesandfairs;partnershipsforscalingupwithdevelopmentorganizations;salesof
seed;pheromones,andbio‐inputs
Page 25 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Table2.INIAP’smainAndeangrainsproductsgeneratedandservicesrendered
Germplasmcollection,conservation,andevaluation
 608quinoaaccessions
 481lupineaccessions
 434amaranthaccessions
Breedingandvarietalselection
 Fivequinoavarietiesselected(onewithMcKnightsupport)
 Twolupinevarietiesselected(onewithMcKnightsupport)
 Oneamaranthvarietyselected
Integratedpestmanagement
 Studyofthelifecycleofamajorlupinpest(Deliaplatura)andestimationofdamagecaused
Seedproduction,2005–2012
 Quinoa:5,934kg
 Lupine:21,280kg
 Amaranth:285kg
Informationdissemination

Topicscovered:Varietiesandcultivars,non‐conventionalseedsystems,agronomicpractices,
harvestandpost‐harvesttechnology,nutritionalcompositionandquality,dietaryuses
Formofdistribution:recommendations,guidelines,extensionbulletins,recipebooks,printand
electronicpublicationsonINIAPwebsite,radiospots,shortcourses,workshops,conferences,
responsestoindividualrequests

Tosupportfarmerstoproducequinoawithoutresortingtochemicalfertilizersorpesticides,
PROINPAhasestablishedaprivatefirm,Biotop,whichmarketsbio‐inputsfortheorganic
cultivationofquinoaandothercrops.Thebio‐inputsencompassuseoffungi,bacteria,plant
substances,pheromones(producedinpartnershipwithaDutchcommercialfirm),andother
naturalingredientstostrengthenplants,improvesoilfertility,andmanageinsectpests.In2011
and2012,Biotopmarketedpheromonesandotherbio‐inputsthatwereusedon8,000hectares
ofquinoa,i.e.approximately15percentoftheareaplantedtoquinoainthesouthernaltiplano.
Biotopiscurrentlytheprincipalcommercialsourceofbio‐inputsinBolivia.Thesuccessful
developmentandwidespreadapplicationofbio‐inputsinBoliviareflectspositivelyon
PROINPA’sforesightandproactiveapproachinrespondingtoemergingdemands.
TwotopicsthatstandoutinPROINPApublicationsaregermplasmandeco‐managementof
pests.AcatalogueofthequinoacollectionintheNationalBankofAndeanGrainswaspublished
in2001.Ethno‐botanicalcataloguesforBolivianQuinuaRealwerepublishedin2003and2012.
Inrecentyears,anumberoffliersandextension‐typebulletinshavebeenpublishedontheuseof
pheromonesandtrapsformonitoringquinoamoth(ticona)populations,disruptingmating,and
reducingpopulations.
Page 26 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Contributions to networking, innovation, and policies Traditionally,membersoftheAndeangrainsprograms,likeotherprofessionalsinPROINPAand
INIAP,playedtheroleofresearcher/expert.Recently,theyarealso“networker”and“innovation
broker”(Table3).PROINPAhasworkedwithtraders,processors,andfirmsthatcertifyorganic
cropstofindwaystoavoidpesticidecontaminationinquinoaexports.PROINPAhasalsoworked
withtheChamberofBolivianQuinoaExporterstofacilitatecommunicationamongmarketchain
actorsandagriculturalserviceproviders,articulatedemandsforinnovation,andfoster
innovationprocesses.Additionally,PROINPAhasusedapromisingnewvehiclefor
disseminationoftechnicalinformationinBolivia,workingwitheightdevelopmentorganizations.
Whereaspreviouslytheprogramusuallyworkeddirectlywithfarmersandtheirorganizations,
inthisinitiative,staffmemberstrainedNGOpersonnelwholaterwereresponsibleforthefront
lineworkwithfarmers.Lastbutnotleast,PROINPAissupportingthegovernment’seffortsto
definestandardsfororganicproductionofquinoaandothercrops.Additionally,government
officialsfrequentlyconsulttheprogram’smembersontechnicalissues,andPROINPAprepared
thescientificpaperthatsupportedthegovernment’sproposaltotheUnitedNationstodeclare
2013astheInternationalYearofQuinoa.
“PROINPAhasdonealotofresearchandhasdevelopedmanynewtechnologies.Buttheseare
uselessunlessthepeoplewhoneedthemusethem.Unfortunately,therehasbeenalotof‘research’
butlittle‘innovation’onfarms…Timeisshort.Quinoahasmanyproblemsthatneedsolutionsnow.”
—PaolaMejia,generalmanager,CABOLQUI,Bolivia
“PROINPA’sresearchandbio‐inputshavebeenveryimportantforus...
butwewantPROINPAtoproduceresultsquicker.Weneedtoshortenthetimeneededforresearch
toyieldpracticalresults.”
—SandroLopez,CADEQUIR,Uyuni,Bolivia
“Wenowseemoreclearlyhowimportantitisforresearchtoproducetangibleproducts.We
alsoseetheimportanceofworkingonalargescale.Before,wethoughtweshouldcontinueto
workonasmallscaleuntilwehaddeterminedthesuperiorityofanewtechnology.Nowwesee
theimportanceofbeginningtoworkearlieratalargescale[todeterminethefeasibilityand
performanceofresearchresultsunderreal‐lifeconditions].”
—Member,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
“Bythe1970s,quinoahadpracticallydisappearedandwasforgotten.Now,withthenewvarieties
andseedfromINIAP,wearebeginningtocultivateandconsumeitagain.”
—Member,APROSANAMY,Ecuador
“Whateveryoudo,don’tlettheAndeanGrainsProgramdie.”
—NellyMoreno,owner,Granmolino,afirmthatprocessesandpackagesamaranthus,Ecuador
Page 27 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
“ThesuccessofourorganizationisdueentirelytotheAndeanGrainsProject…Ofalltheprograms
atINIAP,theLegumesandAndeanGrainsProgramistheonethatworksmostwithsmallfarmers.
Inotherprojectsmostresearchersarefromthecityandtheydon’tknoworunderstandourlives
here.Theygiveusresourcesbutthereisnofollow‐up”.
—Member,CORPOPURUWA,Ecuador
INIAPhasworkedwithanascentassociationofEcuadorianquinoaexporterstohelpconsolidate
theorganization.INIAP’spromotionalcampaignsonthevirtuesofcultivatingandconsuming
quinoa,amaranth,andlupine—includingradiospots,recipebooks,workshopsdemonstrating
diversefoodpreparations,andparticipationinconferenceandfairs—appeartohavestimulated
publicinterestinAndeangrainsashealthfulfoods.Inthepolicysphere,programmembershave
contributedtodevelopmentofanewlawandaccompanyingregulationsthatrecognizeand
promotedevelopmentofnon‐conventionalseedsystemsthat,inmanycases,aremore
appropriateforsmallfarmersgrowingAndeangrains.Theyhavealsoprovidedtechnicalinputs
forthedevelopmentofthegovernment’squalitynormsandstandardsforproductsbasedon
Andeangrains.Table4reviewsINIAP’ssupportofnetworkingandpolicydevelopment.
Page 28 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Table3.PROINPA’scontributionstonetworking,innovation,andpolicies
Networkingandinnovationbrokerage
Programmembershave:

Ledaparticipatorystudytoimprove“traceability”throughoutthequinoamarketchaininorder
toensurehighproductquality,foodsafety,andapplicationofnormsforcertifiedorganicquinoa
cultivationandhandling
 Activelyparticipatedinorganizingthe2013visitofmainimportersofBolivianquinoafrom
aroundtheworld
 ContributedtotherecentdevelopmentofamutualfundforfinancingquinoaproductioninBolivia
Publicawareness

Participatedinfairsandexhibitionsanddisseminatedinformationonthenutritionalvalueof
quinoaandinnovativeusesforandpreparationsofit,generatingrenewedinterestinquinoa
Publicpolicies

PreparedthetechnicaldocumentfortheInternationalYearofQuinoa

Contributedtodevelopmentofqualitynormsandstandardsfororganicproducts,including
quinoa
Contributionstoinnovationcapacity

Throughthetraceabilitystudy,PROINPAhashelpedstrengthenrelationsamongproducers,
traders,processors,andothersinvolvedinthequinoamarketchain,andalsowithexternal
serviceproviders(e.g.,organizationsinvolvedincertification,research,anddevelopment
activities)

Establishedanumberofpartnershipswithdevelopmentandcommercialorganizationstoscale
upuseofnewtechnologies

Providedleadershipindevelopmentofpheromones,eco‐insecticides,andotherbio‐inputsand
supportforproductionofbio‐inputsinPROINPA’sCochabambaplant

Supervisedprogramstaffmembers’MSctheses,strengtheningstudents’appreciationofthe
importanceoflinkingresearchtopracticalproblemsandillustratingpracticalwaystodoso

ThroughparticipationinsuchprojectsasNUSIFAD,programmembershavehelpedconnect
researchers,developmentorganizations,farmingcommunities,andentrepreneursinthequinoa
marketchain
Page 29 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Table4.INIAP’scontributionstonetworking,innovation,andpolicies
Networkingandinnovationbrokerage
Programmembershave:




Workedwithcommunityleaderstolinkwithserviceproviders,donors,andmarkets
CommunicatedviaInternetwiththe“FriendsofAndeangrains”network
HelpedlinktradersandprocessorstopossiblesupplysourcesofAndeangrains
Assistedinstrengtheningnascentassociationofquinoaexportersaswellasfacilitatingtechnical
andinstitutioninnovationprocesses
NovelR&Dapproaches
 Modelfornon‐conventionalseedsystems
 Modelforintegratedproduction‐and‐consumptionintervention
Publicawareness


StagedpromotionalcampaignsonthevirtuesofcultivatingandconsumingAndeangrains
LedorfacilitatedtheFourthWorldCongressonQuinoa,theInternationalSymposiumonAndean
Grains,andotheractivitiesassociatedwiththeInternationalYearofQuinoa,raisingthepublic
profileofAndeangrains
Publicpolicies
Programmembershaveparticipatedinthedevelopmentof:


Anewlawandregulationsonseeds,agroecology,andagrobiodiversity
QualitynormsandstandardsforproductsbasedonAndeangrains
INIAPhasmadeespeciallyeffectiveuseofradiospotsonlocalandnationalradiostationsthat
promotethecultivationandconsumptionofAndeangrains.Theprogramhasalsocontributedto
aseriesofwidelydisseminatedrecipebooks,co‐publishedbyNestleandINIAP,whichinclude
recipesemployingAndeangrains(Nestle,2012).Anotherinnovativeformofinformation
disseminationhasbeentheco‐publicationwithafarmerorganizationofexperiencesand
approachesfornon‐traditionalseedsystemsforAndeangrains(CORPOPURUWA,2011).
TheAndeangrainsprogramshavedevelopedandappliednovelR&Dapproachesthatareat
differentstagesofsystematizationandcouldbeofpotentialuseinothersettings.Mostnotable
arethefollowing:
 Anintegratedapproach,developedbyINIAP,forpromotionofAndeangrainscultivation
andconsumption
 Amodelfornon‐conventionalseedsystemsdevelopedbyINIAP
 Amodel,developedbyPROINPA,forworkingwithdevelopmentorganizationstoscaleup
theuseofresearchresults
 Afarming/landscapesystemapproach,developedbyPROINPA,centeredonquinoa,
whichemploysnativevegetation(legumes,shrubs,andpastures)inestablishingmulti‐
purposestripsaswellasmulti‐cropping
Public awareness and policy influence InEcuador,INIAP’spromotionalcampaignsonthevirtuesofcultivatingandconsumingAndean
grainsappeartohavehelpedshiftpublicopinioninfavorofAndeangrains.Inthepolicysphere,
Page 30 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
programmembershaveparticipatedinthedevelopmentofanewlawandregulationspromoting
theuseofnon‐conventionalseedsystems.Theyhavealsoprovidedtechnicalinputsforthe
developmentofqualitynormsandstandardsforproductsbasedonAndeangrains.
InBolivia,participationbyprogrammembersinfairsandexhibitions,plusdisseminationof
informationonquinoa’snutritionalvalueanditsinnovativeuseandpreparation,appearsto
havecontributedtorenewedinterestindomesticquinoaconsumption.Asanindependent
foundation,PROINPAhasnotoftenbeeninvitedtoworkwithgovernmentalagenciesonpolicy
issues.However,programmembersarefrequentlyconsultedbygovernmentofficialson
technicalissues.Notably,PROINPAwasinvitedtopreparethescientificpaperthatsupportedthe
proposaloftheBolivianGovernmenttotheUnitedNationstodeclare2013astheInternational
YearofQuinoa.6INIAFalsoinvitedPROINPAtoformanallianceforconductingR&Dprograms
forquinoa,potatoes,andwheat.
Lessons learned 1. R&DprogramshavelittlecontrolovermostfactorsthatinfluenceAndeangrains
productionanduse.Programsneedtocontinuouslyassesstheiroperatingenvironments
andconcentrateonareaswheretheycanmakethegreatestcontribution.
2. Themulti‐pronged,multilevel“opportunistic”R&DapproachesusedbytheBolivianand
Ecuadorianprogramsareappropriateforinterveningincomplexsystemssuchasthoseof
Andeangrainsproductionanduse.
3. Insomebutbynomeansallcases,theAndeangrainsprogramshaveplayedimportant
rolesinfacilitatinginnovationprocesses.Successfulcasesshouldbedocumentedand
assessedinordertolearnlessonsthatcanimprovefutureR&Dwork.
4. ProductionandmarketingconditionsforAndeangrainsareconstantlychanging.R&D
programsneedthecapacitytorespondeffectivelytochangingneedsandopportunities.
5. Thereareno“universalsolutions”totheproblemsofproducers,marketagents,or
consumers.Researchshouldlookfor"complementaryalternatives"andoptionsthatcan
beadoptedandadaptedbyuserstofitlocalconditionsandchangingcircumstances.
6. Collaborativeapproaches,goodworkingrelationships,frequentinteractions,and
allianceshavebeenessentialforcapturingresearchdemandsandpromotingtheuseof
researchproducts.
7. Adaptivemanagementthatcombinesdiagnosticwork,frequentreview,andsubsequent
adjustmentofimplementationplansisanappropriatemanagementapproachforthe
Andeangrainsprograms.
6TheofficialwebsiteoftheInternationalYearofQuinoaishttp://www.fao.org/quinoa‐2013.
Page 31 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
4. The CCRP Approach to Supporting Andean Grains R&D The McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program TheMcKnightFoundationassistsnonprofitorganizationsandpublicagenciestoimprovethe
qualityoflifeforallpeople,particularlythoseinneed.Throughgrantmaking,collaboration,and
supportforstrategicpolicyreform,theFoundationseekstobuildandmaintainvibrant
communities,enrichpeople’slives,protectthenaturalenvironment,andpromoteresearchin
selectedfields.Withassetsofaround$2billion,theFoundationgivesabout$91millioningrants
annually.AboutonequarteroftheamountoftheFoundation’sgrantssupportsimprovementsin
rurallivelihoodsandfoodsecurityindevelopingcountries.
McKnightbeganfundinginternationalcropresearchin1983withaPlantBiologyProgram.The
CollaborativeCropResearchProgram(CCRP)begantenyearslaterwithabudgetof$12million
forsixyears.In2000,McKnightcommittedanother$41.5millionovernineyearsand,in2008,
$47millionovertenyears.TheCCRPalsoreceived$26.7millionfromtheBill&MelindaGates
Foundationtobeusedoverfiveyears.ThisfundingallowedexpansionofgrantmakinginAfrica
andprovisionofregionalsupportandnon‐grantassistance.
ThemissionoftheCCRPistosupportsmallholderfarmersworkingunderriskyandresource‐
limitedconditionstoimprovetheirefficiencyandresiliencethroughtheflexibleapplicationof
ecologicalprinciplestoimprovetheirproduction,diets,andlivelihoods.CCRPgrantmaking
reflectsfiveguidingvaluesrelatedtoinnovation,continuouslearning,balanceofR&D,respect
forcultureandtheenvironment,andmutualrespect.
TheCCRPsupportsclustersofprojectsinEasternandSouthernAfrica,WestAfrica,andthe
Andes.Ineachregion,itbringsgranteestogethertooperateasaCommunityofPractice(CoP)
thatcollectivelysupportsagroecologicalintensification(AEI).TheCCRPapproachpromotesAEI
inlocalfarmingsystemsbybuildinglocalcapacityandpromotingintegratedinterventionsthat
addressproduction,nutritional,andenvironmentalgoalsinlocallyappropriateways.Ineach
region,theCoPtargetsconstraintstofoodandnutritionalsecuritythroughappliednaturaland
socialscienceresearchrelatedtospecificcropsandvaluechains.Theresearchagendaisrefined
overtimetocontributetoAEIinwaysthatpromotebetterlivelihoods,sustainability,and
nutrition.CoPsaimtostrengthenthecapacityofR&Dorganizationstogenerateknowledgeand
facilitateinnovationprocessesthatcontributetoagriculturalinnovation,farmers’foodsecurity,
andfamilywellbeing.Theyseektofostertheuseofcollaborativeapproachesthatreinforcelocal
innovationcapacityandcollectiveaction,andtheyemphasizetheimportanceofunderstanding
localcontext,harnessingAEIprinciplestoinformlocalchangeandtheneffectingchangeatscale
throughmultiplepathways.
Regionalteamstranslatetheprogram’svaluesandprinciplesintopracticeinseveralways,
including:
 Strategicgrantmakinginsupportofaregionalstrategy
 Projectinceptionperiodsthatprovidetimeforrefiningprojectplans
Page 32 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
 Regularinteractionwithgranteesthroughrevisionofannualreports,sitevisits,and
annualmeetings
 Annualregionalmeetingsthatbringgranteestogethertointeractwithoneanother,the
regionalteam,andexternalresourcepeople
 Trainingandtechnicalassistanceinitiatedeitherbygranteesortheregionalteam
 Support(providedbystatisticiansfromReadingUniversity)forimprovingtheresearch
methodsusedbygrantees
 Useofintegratedmonitoring,evaluationandplanning(IMEP)approachesthatfoster
learningandprogramimprovement
Evolution of CCRP support TheCCRPapproachhasevolvedconsiderablyintheAndeanregion.Whenthefirstprojects
(includingsupportofBolivia’squinoaprogram)wereformulatedandapprovedin2001,they
reflectedatraditionalresearch‐centeredmodelofinnovation.ThefirstphaseofMcKnight
supportforquinoaR&DinBoliviafocusedonreconstitutingthequinoagermplasmcollection
anditsuseinbreeding.TheprojectwasacollaborativeinitiativeinvolvingthePROINPA
FoundationandBrighamYoungUniversity(BYU).TheroleofBYUinsupportingPROINPA’s
workwascentraltotheprojectdesign.TheprincipalscientistsinPROINPAandBYUsignedthe
projectcontractandhad,togetherwiththeMcKnightrepresentative,considerableindependence
indecision‐making.TherewaslittledialoguebetweentheprojectteamandtheFoundation
exceptduringprojectpreparationandinfrequentsitevisits.Duringthisphase,accordingto
membersofthequinoaprogram,theFoundationactedlikea“traditionaldonor.”
DuringthesecondphaseofsupportfortheBolivianprogramandwhensupportforEcuador’s
AndeangrainsR&Dbegan,McKnightpostedarepresentativewithadevelopmentbackgroundin
theregion(inQuito)andascientificdirectorbasedatCornellUniversity.Theemphasiswason
appliedresearchandcross‐sectorcollaboration.AnAndeancommunityofpracticewas
establishedforgranteesintheregion.In2007,theCCRPregionalteams(threeinAfricaandone
intheAndes)werereorganizedaroundaliaisonscientistandaregionalrepresentative,
supportedbyastatisticsspecialist.AnanthropologistintheU.S.joinedtheregionalteamas
liaisonscientist,andastatisticianbasedattheUniversityofReadingintheU.K.provided
granteeswithsupportinresearchmethodsandstatistics.TheCCRPregionalteambeganto
emphasizecapacitybuildingandsocialandinstitutionalinnovation.Communicationbetweenthe
CCRPandtheprojectteamsbecamemorefrequentandsubstantive,asdidcommunication
amongprojectteams.Since2005,projectteamsintheregionhavemetannuallyasa“community
ofpractice”(CoP)toreviewprogresswitheachproject,shareknowledgeandexperiences,and
discussatopicofgeneralinterest,suchasindigenousknowledge,non‐conventionalseed
systems,andparticipatorymonitoringandevaluation.
Inthepastsevenyears,theFoundationhasstressedexplicitlylinkingresearchwith
developmentprocessesandimprovingprogramsonthebasisoflessonslearnedfrom
experience,inordertoensurethatprogramsproduceusefulresultsthatbenefitalargenumber
ofpoorpeople.Tothisend,theregionalteamhasworkedwithlocalprojectteamstoprepare
“theoriesofchange”foreachprojectandtoimplementasystemforintegratedmonitoring,
evaluationandplanning(IMEP)(CCRP‐Andes,2011).McKnighthasencouragedprojectteamsto
gobeyondanarrowfocusonspecificproductionconstraintsandseekwaystoimprovethe
Page 33 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
systemsinwhichAndeangrainsareproduced,marketed,andconsumed.TheFoundation’s
supporthashelpedlegitimizeresearchandevidenceanalysisasplatformsforsound
developmentpractice.Ithaslikewisesupportedinnovationandbiologicalandsocial
experimentationascomponentsinthedevelopmentofcollaborativestrategiesforlinking
researchanddevelopmentinitiatives,achievinglarge‐scaleimpacts,andcontributingtoglobal
knowledgeviatheproductionof“publicgoods.”
TheMcKnightFoundationhascontributedsignificantlytothecapacityoftheAndeangrains
programsinBoliviaandEcuador.HaditnotbeenforMcKnight’ssupport,AndeangrainsR&D
wouldlikelybeashadowofitcurrentpresenceinthetwocountries.PROINPAleadersstate
emphaticallythat,withouttheFoundation’ssupport,PROINPAwouldnothaveaquinoa
program.Moreover,INIAPprobablywouldnotbedoinganyresearchonquinoaoramaranth.
CCRPsupporthasalsohelpedlegitimizeR&DworkwithAndeangrainsinbothcountriesand
bolsteredthehostinstitutionsinestablishingtheircurrentleadershippositioninAndeangrains
intheR&Dworld.
TheCCRPhascontributedtoindividuals’capacitiesbyprovidingopportunitiesforshort‐term
professionaltraining,advanced‐degreeeducation,networking,andknowledgesharingamong
professionalsfromdifferentorganizationsandcountries.TheCCRPhasalsocontributedtothe
capacityandperformanceoftheAndeangrainsprogramsbyencouragingandproviding
resourcesforthemto:
• Improveplanning,programformulation,andlearningfromperiodicreviews;
• Workwithotherdevelopmentpartnersinscalingupactivities;
• Serveasinformationhubsandinnovationbrokersthatstimulateandfacilitateinnovation
processeswithAndeangrains.
ProgrammembersgreatlyappreciatetheflexibilityoftheCCRP’sprojectmanagementduring
implementation.Resourceshavebeenmadeavailable,onflexibletermsforoperations,
consultancies,andtraining.InEcuador,flexibilityingrantdisbursementsisespecially
appreciatedbecauseoffrequentdelaysingovernmentfunding,whichcandisruptfield
operationsandcauseexperimentstofail.Recently,theCCRPadoptedanapproachthat
recognizesthatnoplanisperfect,allowingforprojectstoexperiment,correct,adapt,andrefine
projectplansduringinceptionperiodsthatrangefromafewmonthstooneyearafterproject
fundingisapproved.Thisapproachallowsforflexibility,innovation,andfreedomtotry,make
mistakes,andlearnfromtheexperience,allofwhicharegreatlyappreciatedbyprojectteams.
“Aunique,andveryimportant,featureofTheMcKnightFoundation’ssupportisitsopennessand
flexibility.Thisallowsprojectstoadaptovertimeandfocusbetteronrealneeds.TheFoundation’s
flexibilityallowsprojectteamstoadjusttheirplansandactivitiesastheylearnfromthefield.Most
otherdonorsinsistthatprojectsimplementtheiroriginalplans,withoutchanges.Thismakesit
impossibletolearnandchange.
—VivianPolar,biologicalandsocialscientist,PROINPA
“OneuniquefeatureofTheMcKnightFoundationisitsflexibility.Thisallowstheprojectstoevolve
Page 34 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
overtime.Withotherdonors,afterprojectsareplanned,theyareimplemented,thefinalreportis
submitted,andtheydie.”
—EdsonGandarillas,technicaldirector,PROINPA
“WithTheMcKnightFoundation,wehaveimprovedourprojectreviewandplanningverymuch…
Ourplanninghasbecomemorerealistic;itreflectsnotonlyourownaspirationsbuttheviewsof
farmersandotherswhoweconsultinplanningandreviewmeetings.”
—Member,legumesandAndeangrainsproject,Ecuador
“TheMcKnightFoundationhasanamplevision,butseesthingsupclose,too.
Whereasotherdonorsprovidefundingandthenonlywantafinalreport,TheMcKnightFoundation
alsowantstoknowwhythingswentwell,orwhytheydidn’t,andhowtoimprovefuturework.
—AmaliaVargas,plantbreeder,PROINPA
“TheMcKnightFoundationunderstandsresearchprocesses.Theyarenotlikeotherdonorsthat
makegrantsforshort‐termprojectsandexpectquickresults…Additionally,nootherdonor
providesmoneyforgeneticimprovementforcropsoutsidetheCGIARcenters.”
—Member,quinoaproject,PROINPA
“TheMcKnightFoundationisverydifferentfromotherdonors.Oneimportantdifferenceisthatthey
wantustodevelopourpersonalcapacitiesandalsohaveaccesstothetoolsandmethodsneededto
doourworkwell—thingslikestatistics,technicalwriting,GPS,andfacilitationofmeetings.They
haveprovideduswithtrainingandresourcesforallthesethingsoutsideoftheprojectbudget.”
—Member,Andeangrainsproject,INIAP
TheMcKnightFoundationhasencouragednationalAndeangrainsprogramstoworkmore
activelywitheconomicactorsandserviceproviderstopromoteinnovationprocesses,andhas
providedresourcestosupporttheseactivities.Consequently,trusthasbuiltupamongdiverse
stakeholderswhoarenowworkingtogethermoreeffectively.InEcuador,theAndeangrains
programhasbrokeredinnovationprocessesinthreecommunities.Resultshavevaried,
dependingonthelocalsetting.InBolivia,PROINPA’srecentworkwiththeChamberofExporters
ofQuinoaandOrganicProducts(CABOLQUI)andtheDepartmentalChamberforQuinoaRealin
Potosi(CADEQUIR),aswellaswithdevelopment‐orientedNGOs,hashelpedtobuildtrustand
establishworkingrelations.Expandingcollaborationamongeconomicactorsandagricultural
serviceprovidersaugerswellforstrengthenedinnovationcapacitieswithAndeangrainsinthe
twocountries.Itwouldbeusefultoreviewtheseexperienceswithnetworkingandinnovation
brokerage,documentingthestrategiesemployedandidentifyinginfluentialfactors.
“BeforeweworkedwithTheMcKnightFoundation,eachofusworkedalone.Withthe
Foundation’ssupport,wehavedevelopedateamandconsolidatedaprogram.”
—Member,quinoaproject,PROINPA
Page 35 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
“ThankstothesupportofTheMcKnightFoundation,PROINPAnowhasaquinoaprogram—nota
projectbutaninstitutionalprogram.”
—AlejandroBonifacio,plantbreederandleader,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
“Before,itwasthoughtthattheknowledgeofindigenousfarmerswasworthless.Butnowwe
valuethisknowledge.Inourworkwithfarmers,welearnagreatdealandsodothey.There’sa
constantexchangeofknowledge.”
—Geneticresourcesspecialist,quinoaproject,PROINPA
“Wenowplanmoreinresponsetoconsultationswithstakeholdersandevaluationresults.”
—Member,Andeangrainsproject,INIAP
CCRP contributions to program‐level capacity and performance Inbothcountries,individualsidentifyfourgeneralwaysinwhichtheirworkwiththeCCRPhas
contributedtotheirpersonalcapacityandperformance.Ithas:
1. Increasedtheirmotivationforachievingpracticalresultsandbenefitsforpoor
farmers; 2. Improvedtheirappliedskillsintechnicalaspectsoftheirwork(e.g.,breedingand
agronomy)andalsoin“new”areassuchasresearchmethods(surveysdesign,
experimentaldesignandstatisticalanalysis,andqualitativeresearchandanalysis);
participatoryplanning,monitoring,andevaluation;meetingfacilitation;geographical
informationsystems;andpartneringandinnovationbrokering.Doingsoallowedfor
betteruseofresearchtopromoteinnovationandsocioeconomicdevelopment;
3. Expandedtheirknowledgeofusefulin‐countryandregionalexperienceswithR&D
andinnovationprocesses;
4. Broadenedtheirprofessionalnetworkswithintheirowncountries,acrosstheregion,
andwithkeyindividualsoutsidetheregion.InBolivia,twoindividualshaveobtained
partialsupportfromtheCCRPtoobtainPhDdegrees,andthreeothershaveobtained
MScdegreesabroad.ThePhDshavereceivedtheirdegreesatBrighamYoung
University,animportantstrategicpartnerofthePROINPAbreedingprogram.Allof
theseindividualshavereturnedtocontinuetheirworkwithPROINPA.
Inbothcountries,theCCRPsupportprovidedasenseofprogramlegitimacyandabasefrom
whichtheycouldobtainadditionalprojectfunding.CCRPsupportinresearchmethodshelped
bothprogramsimprovetheirplanning,researchprotocols,dataanalysis,andreporting,
contributingtothequalityofresearchdesignsandresults.Theemphasisonpartneringwith
developmentorganizations,theworkwithIMEP,developmentoftheoriesofchange,and
emphasisonachievingconcreteresultsatthecommunitylevelhavecontributedtothe“impact
orientation”oftheprograms,therelevanceoftheresearch,andtheoutcomesachieved.
“ThecontributionsofTheMcKnightFoundationtoPROINPAhavebeenfundamental.Withoutthe
Page 36 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
Foundation,theresimplywouldbenoquinoaprogram.Norwouldtherebearesearchcenterat
Quipaquipani.ThecontinuityoftheFoundation’ssupporthasbeenessentialforthecontinuityof
quinoaresearch.Moreover,withoutthesecuritythattheFoundation’ssupporthasgivenus,we
wouldnothavebeenabletodeveloptheotherprojectsthatmakeuptheprogramtoday.”
—EdsonGandarillas,technicaldirector,PROINPA
TheFoundation’ssupporthasallowedthereconstitutionandfurtherdevelopmentofBolivia’s
NationalGermplasmBankforAndeanCropsandthedevelopmentofaNuclearGermplasm
Collectionforuseinplantbreeding,whileensuringthecontinuationofthequinoaprogramover
thepasttwelveyears.AnadditionalBoliviahighlightisencouragementandsupportfor
experimentationinemergingfieldssuchastheuseofgeneticmarkersinbreeding,development
anduseofpheromonesandbio‐inputsinorganiccultivation,andre‐establishmentofnative
plantsforsoilconservationinthesouthernaltiplano.Finally,inBoliviatheCCRPhasprovided
motivationandsupportforPROINPAtodevelopanumberofinter‐organizationalcollaborations
toscaleupinnovationprocessesandresults.
WithoutMcKnightsupport,PROINPAwouldnothavehadtheresourcestoestablishaquinoa
programortoconsolidatethegermplasmcollection,whichcurrentlyisthemostimportant
collectionofquinoagermplasmintheworld.InBolivia,CCRPsupporthasallowedPROINPAto
establishitselfastheleaderinquinoaresearchinBoliviaandasoneofthisfield’sleading
researchprogramsinternationally.IthasalsoallowedPROINPAtoworkwithleadingR&D
professionalsandinstitutesaroundtheworldinsuchareasastheuseofgeneticmarkersin
quinoabreedinganddevelopmentofpheromonesformonitoringandcontrolofquinoapest
populations.InEcuador,CCRPsupporthasensuredthecontinuityofAndeangrainsR&Dwithin
INIAP,andhashelpedlegitimizetheuseofcollaborativeandsystems‐orientedR&Dapproaches.
Broader system‐level contributions InBolivia,CCRPsupporthashelpedstrengthentheroleofPROINPAastheleaderinquinoa
researchandasafacilitatorofinteractionsandpartnershipsthatledtoreal‐worldchangesin
quinoaproduction,marketing,andconsumption.Arecentinitiativetotracepotentialsourcesof
pesticidecontaminationinshipmentsof“organic”quinoaandimprovequalityassuranceinthe
futurehashelpedimproveinter‐organizationalrelations.Distrustandcompetitivenesscontinue
tocharacterizetheinstitutionalsetting,butrelationsareimproving,thanksinparttoMcKnight’s
encouragementandsupportforPROINPAtoengagewithabroaderrangeofpartnersin
addressingemergingissues.CCRPsupporthasalsohelpedstrengthenlinksbetweenBolivian
researchersandleadingresearchersaroundtheworld,connectionsthathavealreadyledto
practicalimprovementsinquinoacultivation.
InEcuador,CCRPsupporthashelpedraisetheinstitutionalprofileandenhancethelegitimacyof
INIAP’sAndeangrainsprogram.Innovationcapacityappearstohavebeenstrengthenedinthe
communitiesthathavepartneredwiththeprogram.ThepartnershipwiththeSimonRodriguez
TechnicalInstitute,supportedbytheCCRP,iscontributingtothepracticalorientationof
educationintheinstitute.Theprogram’sdynamicnetworking,encouragedandsupportedby
McKnight,isstrengtheningrelationsamongpublicandprivateactors,withtheAndeangrains
programservingasinnovationbroker.
Page 37 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
“WithTheMcKnightFoundation,wehavelearnedthatweareoneamongmanyactorsinalarger
innovationsystem,andwehavelearnedtovalueallianceswithotherimportantactors.”
—MiltonPinto,researcher,geneticresources,PROINPA
“Weusedtothinkthattheonlyoptionwasforustoworkdirectlywithfarmers.Butnowwerealize
thatwecanworkwithotherorganizationsthatmaybearebetterequippedtoreachlargenumbers
offarmers.Thisisbeenanimportantlessonforus.”
—WilfredoRojas,altiplanocoordinator,PROINPA
Long‐term, dependable program support and a “different vision of development” LeadersoftheAndeangrainsprogramsandseniorofficersatPROINPAandINIAPallnotethe
valueofthecontinuous,dependablesupportprovidedbyMcKnight.TheCCRPhasprovided
moreresourcesforAndeangrainsR&Dthananyotherdonor,anditssupporthasbeen
continuousoveralongerperiodthanthatofanyotherdonor.Peopleinbothorganizations
stressedthatthecontinuityoftheirAndeangrainsprogramshasdependeddirectlyonthe
continuityofsupportprovidedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.
“TheMcKnightFoundationiscommittedtosuccessoftheprojectsitsupports.TheFoundation
monitorswork,keepsintouchwithprojectteams,andallowschangesinplansiftheyarejustified.
Thereisajointcommitmenttoachieveresults.Theyexpectustomoveaheadtogether.”
—Member,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
“TheMcKnightFoundationisadifferentkindofdonor.Theyknowhowtoguideinstitutionstoward
realisticgoalsandhowtodetectproblemsandrespondrapidly.”
—WilfredoRojas,altiplanocoordinator,PROINPA
ProgrammembersfeelthattheFoundation’svisionofdevelopmentprocessesisuniquein
stressingtheimportanceofbothtechnicalandsocialinnovation,inemphasizingtheimportance
ofbothproductionandconsumptionofAndeangrains,andinfosteringknowledgesharing,
learning,anddevelopmentoflocalcapacityattheindividual,program,andinnovationsystem
levels.
Individualsinbothcountries—intheAndeangrainsprogramandseniormanagersinPROINPA
andINIAP—notethatmembersoftheCCRPregionalteammakeagreaterefforttounderstand
thelocalsetting,needs,andopportunitiesthanisthenormwithdonororganizations,andthey
appreciatethisconcernforidentifyingandaddressinglocalproblems.Arelatedpoint:Itwas
notedthattheCCRP’sregionalteamhelpsprojectteamsformulateappropriategoals,supports
theminachievingthem,andthenholdsthemaccountablefortheresults.
“Therearenouniversallyvalidformulasorrecipes.Ineachlocationweneedtounderstandthe
contextofthecropsandthecustomsofthepeople.”
Page 38 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
—Member,INIAPAndeangrainsproject,Ecuador
“TheMcKnightFoundationisverycommittedtoresolvingrealproblemsintheAndes.Idon’tknow
ofanyotherdonorthatseesthingsinthesameway—thatlooksbeyondtheobjectivesandexpected
outputsofthespecificprojectstheyfund.”
—WilfredoRojas,altiplanocoordinator,PROINPA
CCRPregionalteammembersareinfrequentcontactwithmembersoftheAndeangrains
programsthroughsitevisits,reviewsofannualreports,andannualregionalCoPmeetings.
Programmembersconsiderthefrequentandsubstantive(incontrasttoadministrative)
communicationwithmembersoftheCCRPasoneoftheCCRP’smostpositivefeatures.These
practicesdistinguishitfrommostofthefundingagencies(bothinternationalanddomestic)with
whichtheyhaveworked.
“Normally,whenyoudeliveraprojectreport,that’stheendofit.ThedifferencewithTheMcKnight
Foundationisthattheyreadthereportsandsendcommentsandquestions.Sometimesthe
Foundation’scommentsarestrongortheirquestionsaredifficult,buttheyarealwayspertinent
andmakeusthinkaboutourworkinnewways.”
—AlejandroBonifacio,plantbreederandleader,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
Withmostdonors,thereislittlecommunicationasidefromthenegotiationofprojectdocuments,
thedeliveryofperiodicreports,andtheoccasionalsitevisitorexternalevaluation.Open
dialoguewithdonorrepresentativesisveryrare.WiththeCCRP,thereisfrequent
communicationandinteraction,andtheregionalteamisopentonewideasandapproachesfor
achievingprojectobjectives.Someofthese(e.g.,anapproachforconductingasurveyor
engagingfarmersinresearch)havebeencommunicatedtootherprojectteamsforassessment
andpossibleapplication.
“ThecaliberofTheMcKnightFoundation’sstaffisveryimportant.Theyarenotlikeotherswho
comeheretoimposetheirviewsorobligeustoaccepttheirgoalsandconditions.TheFoundation’s
representativesareopenandsimpleandinspirehorizontal,collegialcommunicationsand
relations.”
—Member,quinoaproject,PROINPA
TheCCRPprovidesopportunitiesforface‐to‐faceinteractionandopendialoguewithawide
rangeofindividuals,includingthosefromtheregionwhoholddifferentexperiencesand
perspectives,andexpertsinkeyareasfromotherpartsoftheworld.
“IntheCoPeverythingisdiscussedwitheveryone.Thatisveryvaluable.”
—Member,INIAP’sAndeangrainsproject,Ecuador
“Itisveryusefulandstimulatingtodiscussimportantgeneraltopicslikeclimatechange.Wenever
havetheopportunitytodothatinournormaldailyactivities.Ireallylovethediscussionsofthese
Page 39 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
‘new’topics.”
—AlejandroBonifacio,plantbreederandleader,quinoaprogram,PROINPA
ProgramstaffandseniormanagersatINIAPandPROINPAfeelthattheirprojectteamsare
workingwith(notfor)theCCRP,andthattheCCRPitselfisco‐evolvingwiththeprojects.Asa
result,thereisafeelingthattheresultsobtainedhavebeenco‐generatedbytheCCRPandthe
programsworkingintandemwithfarmersandothermarketchainactors.
“Inourrankingofdonors,TheMcKnightFoundationisnearthetop.Somethingwevalueverymuch
isthatwelearnanddevelopthingstogetherwiththem.Wehaveveryrichdiscussionsandthey
listentous.”
—AntonioGandarillas,director,PROINPA
“IreallylikethewaytheFoundationworks,whichismuchlessformalthanotherdonors.The
Foundationdoesnothavearigidbureaucracy.Ithasrulesandisstrictinapplyingthem,butitalso
trustsgrantees…TheFoundationdoesnotdictatewhatpeopleshoulddo.Ithelpstheprojectteams
formulatetheirownobjectivesandthenitdemandsresults.Otherdonorstendtoimposetheirown
objectives…IparticularlyliketheCoP,whichmotivatescreativethinkingandactionand
strengthenstiesamongparticipants.AtCoPmeetings,theregionalteammoderatesdiscussionson
topicsofimportancetoparticipants.Forthatreason,participantsrespondfavorablytothe
Foundation’sideas.”
—IvánReinoso,director,SantaCatalina,INIAP
Lessons for the CCRP 1. MembersofthenationalAndeangrainsprogramsvaluetheCCRP’scommitmentto
capacitybuilding,itsflexibilityandopennesstonewideas,theintensiveinteractions
betweenprojectteamsandtheCCRPregionalteam,thecontinuityofCCRPsupport,and
theco‐developmentofpriorities,programs,andresults.
2. TheCCRPapproachalignswellwiththeneedsandpossibilitiesoftheAndeangrains
programs,andprogrammembershavefewsuggestionsforimprovement.
3. AmajorconcernoftheAndeangrainsprogramsisthedevelopmentofsustainable
financingstrategies,whichwouldrelylessonfundingfromexternaldonors.Supportfor
developingsuchstrategiesshouldbeaCCRPpriority.
4. AnotherCCRPpriorityshouldbesupportingthesystematicevaluationofthe
collaborativeapproachesusedbytheAndeangrainsprogramstofacilitatelearningand
programimprovementandtogaugethepotentialutilityofsimilarapproacheselsewhere.
5. GreaterCCRPencouragementandsupportforthepresentationandpublicationof
researchresultsandlessonswouldbeusefulforthenationalprograms.
6. Projectteammembersconsiderthe“regionalCoP”tobeveryvaluable;however,itdoes
notfunctionasatraditionalCoPwithfrequent,spontaneousinteractionsamongthe
members.Itmightbeusefulforthecountryprojectteammembersandtheregionalteam
toreflectjointlyonCoP’sapproachesandexperiencesandexperimentwithoptionsfor
furtherstrengtheningknowledgesharing,learning,andcollectiveactionamongthe
participants.
Page 40 | Case Study: Collaborative Crop Research in Action
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Douglas Horton is an independent applied researcher and evaluator who works mainly on topics
related to agricultural research and development, innovation, and capacity development. Doug earned
BS and MS degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois and a PhD in economics
from Cornell University. From 1975 to 1990 he led the Social Science Department of the International
Potato Center based in Peru. He went on to be a senior officer at the International Service for National
Agricultural Research in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2004. Doug has participated in more than fifty
evaluations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and has written more than one hundred
published articles, books, and research reports.
ABOUT THE McKNIGHT FOUNDATION
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life
for present and future generations. Through grantmaking, collaboration, and encouragement of
strategic policy reform, we use our resources to attend, unite, and empower those we serve. Program
interests include regional economic and community development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, early
literacy, youth development, Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality,
neuroscience, interntional crop research, and community-building in Southeast Asia. Our primary
geographic focus is the state of Minnesota, with significant support also directed to strategies
throughout the U.S. and in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Founded in 1953 and endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation
had assets of approximately $2 billion and granted about $86 million in 2013. In 2013, McKnight
invested $6 million, or about 7% of total grantmaking, in efforts to explore solutions for sustainable,
local food systems through the Collaborative Crop Research Program.
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