Ecuador’s “superplants” offer food security and climate resilience
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Ecuador’s Chocó Andino region, Nina Duarte, a Brazilian agroforestry engineer, has spent two decades identifying and promoting non-conventional food plants (PANC) to bolster ecosystems, improve food security, and combat climate change.
Duarte began her work after feeling unfulfilled with traditional ecological restoration, inspired by a book on Brazilian PANC by Valdely Kinupp. She has so far identified 450 species, establishing 25 polyculture plots to encourage their cultivation and use.
These PANC, with their deep roots, offer ecological benefits like improved soil health, reduced reliance on monoculture farming, and lessened use of agrochemicals. They also provide a nutritional boost for rural communities, offering a diverse range of edible parts, leaves, flowers, roots, and more, often exceeding the nutritional value of common crops.
Duarte’s work began during the pandemic, fueled by fears of food scarcity, and has expanded through partnerships with organizations like the Imaymana Foundation and funding from the Canadian government. Currently, Duarte maintains a one-quarter hectare plot with around 100 PANC species and shares her knowledge with local women, helping them establish their own diversified gardens and sell produce at local markets. Biologist Paula Cordero notes that these “pioneer” plants prepare the soil for other species, increasing biodiversity and resilience.
Duarte published a list of 450 PANC species in 2023, detailing their location, ecosystem, and characteristics, hoping to preserve traditional knowledge before it is lost as older generations pass away.
