Peru is one of the world’s centres of crop diversity, home to thousands of native potato varieties shaped over generations by Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers and local communities. This rich agrobiodiversity plays a vital role in food security, nutrition and resilience to climate change.

Tiyapuy Foods shows how private sector engagement can help connect this biodiversity to sustainable markets. By working directly with smallholder farmers, the company integrates native potato varieties into food systems through fair and transparent value chains. This approach supports the conservation of genetic diversity while also strengthening rural livelihoods.

At the heart of this model is a commitment to shared value. Farmers receive fair compensation for their crops, while Tiyapuy invests in understanding the nutritional and market potential of native potatoes. As the company’s CEO explains, working with native varieties has revealed strong opportunities both in domestic and international markets, particularly due to their nutritional and health value.

This example highlights how agrobiodiversity conservation and economic opportunity can go hand in hand, when partnerships are built on equity, transparency and long-term collaboration.

For more inspiration, explore the other videos, take a look at SeedNL’s 7 Guiding Principles, and read more about Tiyapuy on their website.