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Decolonising action-research:
the Potato Park biocultural
protocol for benefit-sharing
7
by ALEJANDRO ARGUMEDO
Introduction
This article describes the process of developing the Potato Park biocultural community
protocol (BCP) for equitable benefit-sharing:
an innovative action-research approach,
which was led and shaped by indigenous
Quechua communities in Peru. It was a
process of empowerment for the communities and their institutions, enabling effective
control of decision-making, particularly in
defining the content of the BCP. While this
process was carried out throughout the
three-year project period, the development
of the protocol itself took approximately 15
months.1
Background
The Potato Park in Cusco, Peru was established by six Quechua communities in
2002, with support from ANDES and
IIED. The park currently incorporates the
communal land of the Amaru, Chawaytire,
Pampallaqta, Paru Paru and Sacaca
communities, covering a total area of 8240
hectares, with over 6000 residents.
This area of the Andes is a known
micro-centre of origin and diversity of the
potato. The park serves as a genetic reserve,
with 700 local cultivars, 410 varieties repatriated from the International Potato Centre
(CIP), and another 151 being preserved for
communities in Ayacucho and Apurimac.
In addition, many native Andean crops and
medicinal plants grow in the area.
The Association of Communities of the
Potato Park (the Association) governs the
park based on Andean values, customary
laws and practices. Elected members from
1 The process was part of an IIED-led project whose aim was to assist indigenous and local
communities to protect their rights over their biocultural heritage in accordance with their
customary laws and practices. It sought to identify new alternatives to ABS that promoted
ecological sustainability and resilience and that economically benefitted the poor. The project
took place in five countries – Peru, India, China, Kenya and Panama – between 2005 and 2009.
It was funded by the International Development Research Centre and the Christensen Fund.
2 Asociación ANDES is an indigenous NGO whose activities are focused on alleviating poverty
by developing and disseminating alternative models for community-led management of
biodiversity and landscapes.