IX World Quinoa Congress, Canar-Ecuador

Mushuk Yuyay, a vital agricultural association in southern Ecuador, is swiftly mobilizing support on all levels from the villages around Cañar to international agencies.

Mushuk Yuyay is assisting local village savings groups to form banking systems that will enable members to access funds for seed, fertilizer, and other necessities. This will increase the supply of quinua and other grains for their product line, Alli Mikuna (Good Food), to be available for the World Quinua Congress. The farmers are the basis for this production.

Mushuk Yuyay has been holding frequent meetings with local municipal and cantonal, as well as provincial governments to arrange lodging, food, and transportation. These logistics have been worked out in detail.

Mushuk Yuyay has regular meetings with NGOs, agencies, and ministries. They have gathered support and formed collaborative relationships. The Centro Internacional de la Quinua (International Quinua Center) in Bolivia is fully supportive of the vision and plan presented by Mushuk Yuyay. TRIAS has pledged financial and technical support. They stated that the Congress must go forward as envisioned by the members of Mushuk Yuyay. The McKnight Foundation is behind the effort as well with an offer of financial backing. Ekorural in the neighboring province of Chimborazo is another collaborator. Friends of Ecuador, an association of former Peace Corps Volunteers in Ecuador, has supplied funds. Also, CORVA, an organization of returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Ohio, has also sent funds. 

Mushuk Yuyay has organized a scientific committee to work on all of the details of the plan. They are working diligently to make sure all areas are fully covered. They have developed a webpage at Mushukyuyay.org with links to the Quinua Congress (IX CMQ) and the Andean Grains Symposium which the association is also sponsoring. The webpage has a link to translate the information into English, as well.

Support, enthusiasm, and anticipation are growing.

Without a doubt, further funds are needed. We appreciate, as always, the support GlobalGiving continues to give throughout this appeal. GlobalGiving has made it possible throughout the years to send needed financial support to buy machinery, expand the processing plant, and increase marketing reach.

The IX World Quinua Congress is of vital importance to the economic, ecological, educational, and social future of the area of southern Ecuador. Mushuk Yuyay is providing food sovereignty, economic security, and social stability to the region. Mushuk Yuyay provides employment opportunities, living wages to farmers, and hope to the youth for a better future. As soils are improved, production increased, emigration is decreased.