Blending cutting edge science with farmers' know-how to improve food security in Colombia

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire en Colombie en alliant la science au savoir-faire des agriculteursSpanish version available in IDRC Digital Library: Combinando la ciencia y los conocimientos locales para mejorar la seguridad alimentariaParticipatory research by native farming communities and researchers led to production and selection of three new yellow potato cultivars with higher yield and improved nutritional qualities. The project worked with native communities in five municipalities for whom malnutrition is a serious problem; families were growing yellow potato varieties with low yield and low resistance to late blight. The project generated significant knowledge that will continue to provide benefits. Preliminary findings also suggest that consumption of these new yellow potatoes can slow the growth of colon cancer cells while improving the body’s immune system