Horizontal, technical cooperation in research on quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Abstract

Quinoa possesses remarkable characteristics in terms of its productive potential and eco-geographical adaptation (0 to 4000 msnm; 200 to 1000mm of rainfall; -1 to 35°C, and short to (neutral) photoperiod). The market potential is large, and quinoa is already known in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, as a basic source of protein of high biological value. FAO has suggested the crop be included as a source for food security in the next century (FAO, 1998) Bolivia and Peru are the major producers of quinoa, with 70000 ha under cultivation.