This report presents the perceptions and experiences of farmers from various regions of the Peruvian Andes on issues related to farmers' rights. The aim of the study is to contribute to the debate as well as to practical efforts aimed at realising farmers’ rights in Peru, while also generating information useful for other countries.
The central recommendations of this report include:
- maintaining documentation of traditional knowledge;
- establishing agro-biodiversity reserves;
- ensuring equitable benefit-sharing by providing support to community gene banks, seed fairs and exchange visits;
- participation of farmers in research on traditional seed systems, plant breeding and decision-making;
- mainstreaming legislation and policies related to the use and exchange of seeds;
- assisting in processing and marketing products made from traditional varieties;
- improving economic incentive structures for maintaining traditional crop varieties;
- establishing pilot villages to bolster the conservation and exchange of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
In conclusion, this report advocates the existing process of realising farmers' rights in Peru, which will hopefully contribute to improving the food security of small-scale farmers and the continued maintenance of the country’s rich agricultural biodiversity.
