Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo
This study analyzes the recovery and conservation of potato landraces in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo, specifically in the Mérida region. Smallholder potato farmers in the Venezuelan Andes have been actively creating knowledge, processes, and socio-technical artifacts necessary for the recovery of po...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Political Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2024.1511955/full |
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| author | Iraima Lugo Montilla Carla Ladeira Pimentel Águas |
| author_facet | Iraima Lugo Montilla Carla Ladeira Pimentel Águas |
| author_sort | Iraima Lugo Montilla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study analyzes the recovery and conservation of potato landraces in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo, specifically in the Mérida region. Smallholder potato farmers in the Venezuelan Andes have been actively creating knowledge, processes, and socio-technical artifacts necessary for the recovery of potato seeds and other types of plant genetic resources critical for food and agriculture. This effort has involved diverse socio-technical dynamics, engaging both human and non-human actors, with the support of universities, research institutions, local and national governments, etc. These initiatives counter historical trends, such as the erosion of complex genetic resource systems, genetic resources, the impacts of agricultural modernization, dependency on oil and imported agricultural technologies, and more recent challenges, such as food shortages. Using traditional techniques such as Tinopós—underground caves for seed storage—and social appropriation of technological processes, including genetic improvement, Andean smallholder farmers have successfully rescued ancient potato varieties while developing new ones. Fieldwork conducted in 2019 included a documentary review, thematic analysis, and a technology inventory. The findings reveal a close relationship between the diversity of Andean root and tuber crops, the unique biophysical and climatic conditions of the Páramo, and the traditional knowledge of peasant communities residing in these territories. The study underscores the importance of border relations and cultural translation between different knowledge systems in recovering and conserving native potato seeds. These efforts represent a locally driven initiative to construct social technologies for food sovereignty and sustainable local development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-51df5f9129dc42f280fc747bd85a8095 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-3145 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Political Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-51df5f9129dc42f280fc747bd85a80952025-01-14T06:10:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Political Science2673-31452025-01-01610.3389/fpos.2024.15119551511955Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes PáramoIraima Lugo Montilla0Carla Ladeira Pimentel Águas1Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, Trieste, ItalyLaboratory of Technologies and Social Transformations, Department of Science and Technology Policy, Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, BrazilThis study analyzes the recovery and conservation of potato landraces in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo, specifically in the Mérida region. Smallholder potato farmers in the Venezuelan Andes have been actively creating knowledge, processes, and socio-technical artifacts necessary for the recovery of potato seeds and other types of plant genetic resources critical for food and agriculture. This effort has involved diverse socio-technical dynamics, engaging both human and non-human actors, with the support of universities, research institutions, local and national governments, etc. These initiatives counter historical trends, such as the erosion of complex genetic resource systems, genetic resources, the impacts of agricultural modernization, dependency on oil and imported agricultural technologies, and more recent challenges, such as food shortages. Using traditional techniques such as Tinopós—underground caves for seed storage—and social appropriation of technological processes, including genetic improvement, Andean smallholder farmers have successfully rescued ancient potato varieties while developing new ones. Fieldwork conducted in 2019 included a documentary review, thematic analysis, and a technology inventory. The findings reveal a close relationship between the diversity of Andean root and tuber crops, the unique biophysical and climatic conditions of the Páramo, and the traditional knowledge of peasant communities residing in these territories. The study underscores the importance of border relations and cultural translation between different knowledge systems in recovering and conserving native potato seeds. These efforts represent a locally driven initiative to construct social technologies for food sovereignty and sustainable local development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2024.1511955/fullsocial technologyproduction of knowledgepotato seedsagroecologyagrobiodiversitybottom-up public policy |
| spellingShingle | Iraima Lugo Montilla Carla Ladeira Pimentel Águas Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo Frontiers in Political Science social technology production of knowledge potato seeds agroecology agrobiodiversity bottom-up public policy |
| title | Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo |
| title_full | Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo |
| title_fullStr | Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo |
| title_short | Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo |
| title_sort | social technology and rescue of native seeds in the venezuelan andes paramo |
| topic | social technology production of knowledge potato seeds agroecology agrobiodiversity bottom-up public policy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpos.2024.1511955/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT iraimalugomontilla socialtechnologyandrescueofnativeseedsinthevenezuelanandesparamo AT carlaladeirapimentelaguas socialtechnologyandrescueofnativeseedsinthevenezuelanandesparamo |