The International Potato Center (IPC) is an international organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato and Andean roots, dedicated to enhancing food production systems, sustainable agriculture, and food security in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. The organization has its headquarters in Lima, Peru, and is part of the CGIAR research centers group.
During a short visit to Lima a couple of weeks ago I had this great opportunity to meet IPC staff and share my experience working in “one of the most dynamic agricultural regions in the United States” (this said intentionally to catch their attention). I also had the chance to deliver a brief talk to give them an overview about our work at CIPM, focus areas and current projects. The talk was attended by an enthusiastic audience composed of scientists of the IPC Regenerative Agriculture Program, the National Agrarian University, the National Service of Agrarian Health, and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation.
The presentation also included a nice discussion about the potato psyllid and Zebra Chip disease, a research topic I was involved in during my postdoctoral years. The disease has gained particular attention among scientists and pest regulation authorities in Peru, as it has recently been reported from the northern part of the country.
It was overall a nice experience and certainly a break from the heat, although the low temperatures and high humidity this time of the year in Lima can be too much for me!
