Workshop in Ecuador November 2024

As part of the workshop at the Ikiam University, Ecuador, from November 18th to November 22nd, 2024, the project partners and external experts gave presentations on various topics related to their respective fields of research.

A particular focus was placed on unknown or agriculturally underutilized species. Species that are capable of tolerating extreme stress were also discussed, as they have the potential to make agricultural systems more resilient in the long term. On the other hand, species that are well-known through traditional knowledge, which is endangered to disappear, are being researched with the aim of cataloging them.

• Denisse Fabiola Pena: Maclenia rupestris (joyapa), an Andean fruit tree of ecological importance with potential for sustainable use
• Michel Leiva Mora: Micropropagation of Vaccinium floribundum: antimicrobial metabolites from an underutilized Andean species
• Dong-Gill Kim: Enhancing drought resilience of enset through nutrient management
• Federico Roda Fornaguera: Harnessing omic variation in underutilized crop species

• Stefan Porembski: Desiccation-tolerant plants: phylogenetic, ecological and economic aspects

• Fabian Leon Tamariz: The FAPRONAT consortium: Ecuador's herbal pharmacopoeia, needs and prospects
• Silvia Llerena: Weaving Tradition and Science: Nourishing and Healing with Amazonian Plants

Additionally, land use systems were discussed, aiming to conserve the existing ecosystem and its biodiversity, while protecting the soil from degradation. This included the cultivation of endangered species and varieties, agroforestry systems, as well as reforestation of degraded sites and their succession development.

• Leonardo Gonzalez: Potential plant species conserved in southeastern Ecuador
• Jessica Sanchez: Conservation of vanilla in the food forest of the Ikiam Amazon Regional University

• Wilfredo Franco: Underutilized plants, agroforestry systems and the necessarey Bioeconomy in the Ecuadorian Amazon
• Berhanu Terefe: Conserving the Forest Coffee Resources through an improved Forest Protection and Monitoring in Nono Sale and Didu Woredas of the Ilubabor Zone, Oromia Region Ethiopia

• Pablo Cuenca: Ecological Succession in Degraded Forests: implications for forest restoration
• Juan Pablo Inamagua: Participatory approach for reforestation can also contribute to bioeconomy initiatives

Another point was in what manner local eating habits hinder the diversification of crop production and how this can be addressed in order to bring about a change, which could potentially ensure food security.

• Maria Gabriela Zurita: Many Cultivated Species on the Chacra Kichwa, Few on the Table
• Gebeyanesh Worku Zerssa: Enhancing sustainable food and nutrition security by exploiting underutilized crops/plants

In addition, general information about the regional agricultural conditions was provided. The discussions covered developments, existing challenges, and theirs potential solutions.

• Silke Ruppel: Utilization of plant-microbial interactions as contribution to stainable cropping systems
• Orelvis Portal Villafana: Local seed production with emphasis on underutilized crops
• Arahis Cruz Limonte: Management of Local Agricultural Innovation for the development and promotion of local food systems
• Ezequiel Zamora: Current status of the peanut value chain in the provinces of Manabi and Loja
• Franz Weingärtner: Loss of agrobiodiversity in Germany and its possible solutions