The sustainability of quinoa production in Southern Bolivia : from misrepresentations to questionable solutions. Comments on Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390-399)

2012

Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000305960600008

Winkel Thierry, Bertero H. D., Bommel P., Bourliaud J., Lazo M. C., Cortes G., Gasselin P., Geerts S., Joffre R., Leger F., Avisa B. M., Rambal S., Rivière G., Tichit M., Tourrand J. F., Toral A. V., Vacher Jean, Pak M. V.

Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 2012, 198 (4), p. 314-319 ISSN 0931-2250

Reviewing the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia, Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) argues that the booming export market has a negative effect on the environment and on the home consumption of quinoa, thereby leading to an environmental disaster in the region. In view of the scarcity of scientific knowledge on the rapid social and environmental dynamics in the region, we consider that Jacobsens review misrepresents the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia. Specifically, we argue that (i) the data presented by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) do not support any drop in quinoa crop yield supposed to reflect soil degradation and (ii) his demonstration regarding home consumption of quinoa is ill-founded from both a nutritional and a cultural point of view. We suggest that the diffusion of the arguments exposed by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390), because of their flaws, might have strong negative impacts on those concerned with sustainable food production and fair-trade with developing countries. We conclude that, rather than reinforced agro-technical controls on local farmers, the rising competition in the international quinoa market requires a shift towards an ethical economy and ethical research cooperation with quinoa producers.

Sciences du monde végétal [076] ; Economie et sociologie rurale [098]

BOLIVIE ; ANDES

Fonds IRD [F B010057022]

fdi:010057022