Peru — building soil in the desert

CDFA secretary Karen Ross visited Peru this week as part of a Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Mission focusing on expanding collaboration on innovation, on-farm practices, and technologies to assist California's specialty crop growers in adapting to climate change.

By CDFA secretary Karen Ross

Peru's Ica Valley is an oasis in the desert. There are more than 100,000 acres of agricultural production primarily focusing on high-quality specialty crops (avocados, table grapes and blueberries), surrounded by the Andes mountains as well as desert sands. Water defines this region in all aspects - from controversy to innovation. The population faces challenges in accessing water and agriculture continues to grow. It is a very complicated picture and being from California, we have an opportunity to share our knowledge about water sustainability, equity and management.

There is a strong dedication to local communities in the Ica Valley, including the development and funding of local schools to providing upward mobility to the workforce by advancing home ownership and land access. There is also an environmental focus with aquifer recharge, investment in native habitat, and initial steps towards a circular economy.

Our visits have been with some of the largest and most productive growers in the region. We have also had the opportunity to meet with government and academia, where the importance of technical assistance and investment in small-to-medium scale farms on climate smart practices was strongly emphasized. It is a legitimate and appropriate role for government but also has to earn the trust of citizens to serve the common good.

The work that is occurring on farms in Peru is impressive. Data-driven production of crops, building organic matter in soils, precision agriculture, and on-farm sensor deployment is delivering world-class agricultural production. On-farm management practices are being implemented to adjust to climate realities by advancing harvest windows and targeting on-time irrigation of crops. Through this work, Peru is changing the desert landscape and building soils for food production.

The next few years will see changes in Peru's agricultural sector. California's engagement on climate smart agriculture practices-supported through academic, grower and government collaboration-will be an important step forward in advancing shared practices and advancing water equity.