PECOLO

The Andean region is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, harbouring an important centre of domestication of global food crops, such as potato, quinoa, corn, peanut and tomato. Such biodiversity provides a great potential to re-discover nutritionally rich local varieties and utilize them to develop innovative food applications. The utilization of native plant crops provides promising solutions to address the wider sustainability goals while providing local source of nutritious food. The diversification of local diets enables better nutrition and can contribute in food security in areas where food production is threatened by climate change. Local research and development efforts are needed to understand the potential of local crop varieties and to develop them as truly desirable commercial products. Development of the traditional, often complex value chains, can contribute to better income opportunities for rural agricultural households and more sustainable supply chains. In addition, the food loss and food waste, and circular economy in food systems are opportunities to build sustainable food systems.

Investments in education, research and development is the key for innovation and long-term growth. Despite the economic growth, expenditure per capita in higher education, R&D and innovations in both Colombia and Peru remain low compared to international levels. The national strategies highlight the need to develop the local innovation environments where academia has a stronger role as a provider of new knowledge.

Capacity building efforts are targeted in food science, such as functional foods, nutrigenomics, food chemistry analytics, the effects of global regulatory issues in local food chains and sustainable value chains. The project will use future research methodologies as novel tools for developing the innovation environments and to assess the long-term changes and impacts for the development of the society. The project involves PhD student exchanges from Colombia and Peru to Finland, as well as between Colombia and Peru.
 

Key Results to be Achieved

1.Improved quality of higher education and research environment

2. Strengthened role and relevance of higher education in the development of society