New book puts the spotlight on Andean ‘super grains’

Launched at the Fourth World Congress on Quinoa held in 2013 in Ibarra, Ecuador, the book Biodiversity and andean grains: Balancing market potential and sustainable livelihoods focuses on the Andean ‘super grains’ – quinoa, amaranth and cañahua. These highly nutritious and resilient crops are important for the food and nutrition security of people of the Americas and the world. The book launch was part of celebrations for the 2013 International Year of Quinoa.

“With this book, we hope to provide food for thought on the occasion of the UN 2013 International Year of Quinoa, and serve as guidance for the future promotion of the currently underutilized crops,” says co-author Stefano Padulosi, Senior Scientist at Bioversity International.

In the book, Padulosi and other authors examine the current use of these grains from the perspective of smallholder farmers and researchers, highlighting the trade-offs involved in the transition from traditional to commercial agricultural systems. They also address research gaps in assessing local knowledge related to super grains, as well as in their commercial value, taking into account the livelihood assets of local communities.

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