IX World Quinoa Congress, Canar-Ecuador

This project to collect support for the expenses related to hosting the IX World Quinua Congress has made steady progress. We have raised $2,330 which has been used to partially fund ongoing preparations. New quinua products are being developed, new varieties of quinua are being tested, and more farmers are planting quinua.

At this time, we are contacting new possible donors and preparing donor materials to expand our reach. Hopefully, during the next few months donations will increase.

Mushuk Yuyay has greatly widened its impact over the recent year cooperating with government agencies, universities, and businesses. They continue to hold Muyu Fests every three months to promote their products and to strengthen local and regional collaboration. These have boosted sales as well as foster good working relationships.

The quinua harvest is currently in progress with the greatest harvest yet. Mushuk Yuyay recently purchased a harvester which is moved from farm to farm throughout the communities in the province of Cañar. Farmers can now be paid fair market prices in the field at harvest. This guarantees that a new crop will be planted as soon as possible.

Currently, a pasta making course is in progress training Mushuk Yuyay employees and other interested community members in techniques of combining wheat, quinua, and amaranth flour to create new products that will be available at the World Quinua Congress. This course is being presented by the University of Milan, Italy, and includes an expert in pasta making, a nutritionist, and a machine specialist from Milan. Mushuk Yuyay will place the new machinery in their expanded processing plant, and will begin production immediately. This program is also supported by the Universidad del Azuay in Ecuador which has formed a valuable partnership with the Mushuk Yuyay.

Additionally, Mushuk Yuyay is supporting the formation of community savings and loan groups in rural communities which will use their new financial skills to buy seed and fertilizers to plant even more quinua to have ready for the new products.

Mushuk Yuyay is partnering with a local nonprofit, Kuri Muru (Golden Grain), to revitalize a school lunch program called Healthy Children and Healthy Future based on healthy local foods, particularly quinua and amaranth. This program will ensure continued interest in the Andean super foods that have sustained the community for so many centuries.

Everything is going nicely. However, more funding is needed to support the World Quinua Congress at Mushuk Yuyay in 2025. Funds will guarantee lodging, travel, and the many other related programs. This will be a vital cultural, economic, and scientific event that is already attracting international attention.

We greatly appreciate any support you can give. We welcome your particiption.