09:00 | Ayacucho (Ayacucho region), Nov. 12.
A new high protein and quality quinoa variety with high yield production was presented in Ayacucho region by the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), the
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri) has reported.
The new variety is called INIA 441-Señor del Huerto, and Minagri will make it available to all producers in order to improve
quinoa's production and competitiveness in the southern highlands and areas with similar conditions in the country.
This type of quinoa, developed by INIA in Ayacucho region, ensures a better average yield in farmers' fields and can yield from 2.95 to 3.20 tons per hectare (t/ha), with a yield potential of up to 4.03 tons per ha.
INIA explained that the new cultivar has white grains of 2.03 mm diameter with good characteristics for industrial transformation at family and commercial scales.
It is resistant to (downy) mildew —an important disease in quinoa growing areas— and can be grown between 2,700 and 3,600 meters above sea level.
INIA 441-Señor del Huerto is notable for its high protein content (11.02%), including the presence of essential amino acids such as lysine (13.91 mg), which makes it an ideal food for pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Economic indicators show that the new quinoa variety offers a profitability rate of 113.07%, 62.86% more than that of other varieties.
In its first year of release, INIA 441-Señor del Huerto is expected to directly benefit the economy of 3,000 small and medium-sized producers in Ayacucho.
(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 11/12/2020