Colca Valley Farmers Strengthen Soil and Pest Management Skills through Hands-on Training

March 30, 2026

Farmers in Peru’s Colca Valley are combining generations of traditional agricultural knowledge with new technical skills to improve the health and productivity of their soils and crops. As part of the Nexus III Project Organic Farming Systems (OFS), a practical training workshop titled “Management of Soils and Pests” was organized to support local farmers in better understanding and managing their agricultural systems.

Smallholder farmers in the Andes have long relied on andenes (terraced farming) and local practices passed down through generations. However, limited access to technical training has made it difficult for them to adapt to changing climates and new market pressures or dela with contamination from nearby mines, which threatens the long-term sustainability of agriculture in this region. International collaboration through the Nexus III project is helping bridge this gap by connecting local knowledge with scientific expertise.

Two training events were held on March 17 and 18 at the municipal auditoriums of Madrigal and Yanque, in the Colca Valley (Arequipa region). A total of 33 participants attended, including farmers, local authorities and students. The sessions were led by specialists from the National University of San Agustin (UNSA) and project team members Dennis Macedo, Victor Hugo Casa and Rene Quispe. Each three-and-a-half-hour workshop focused on practical learning. Participants took part in hands-on activities to measure soil pH and electrical conductivity and learned about how to better manage soils and pests, and create high quality compost. To support continued learning, each participating community received a soil testing kit capable of measuring pH, electrical conductivity, and nutrients, along with additional tools such as a digital scale, compost thermometer, graduated cylinder, and pH indicator strips.

In Madrigal, nine farmers attended, including a municipal council representative. In Yanque, participation grew to 24 attendees, among them Mayor Jose Sarayasi, local farmers and students from the Yanque Public Institute of Higher Technological Education. The strong involvement of students highlighted growing interest among young people in sustainable agriculture and technical capacity building. By gaining practical knowledge and new technical skills, farmers and students are now better prepared to work with agricultural technicians and engineers when making decisions about soil and pest management. This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening local capacity, improving soil and crop health, and advancing long-term agricultural sustainability in the Arequipa region.

Contact Details

• ROSA COSSIO
• rcossio@purdue.edu
• 765-494-0721