Andrea holds a BSc. in Biology from La Molina National Agrarian University, with a great interest in plant biotechnology. She worked as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA) in Lima, Peru, and is currently working as an IB-DP Biology teacher. In addition, Andrea is the Head of Talent Management at United Peruvian Youth, a youth organization that seeks to empower youth to promote the SDGs in Peru. Finally, she does impactful activities focused on raising awareness about food and agriculture as a part of her volunteer role as a Thought for Food Ambassador for South America.
What do you love about your studies and how did you get here?
In 2017, while traveling around Cusco for a university assignment, I could see the raw side of Peruvian agriculture in which smallholders are immersed. After realizing the urgent need to develop innovative solutions to transform agriculture into a more sustainable practice, I decided to work at INIA – where my enthusiasm for plant biotechnology developed. As an early-career biologist with some experience in plant breeding, I aspire to pursue a research career dedicated to improving food safety and food security in my country by developing novel strategies for breeding staple food crops.
What advice would you share with young people who hope to contribute to sustainable food systems and farming?
Think globally, act locally. Whether you would like to advocate, carry out a campaign, or develop a service, it is essential to focus on people’s needs. Look within your community at what could be changed or is missing and take action starting with your closest groups to create community buy-in: family, friends, classmates, or anyone who can support you. Remember that small steps can also leverage significant impact if you innovate, persevere, and work collaboratively.
How does agriculture need to change to be more sustainable?
It is relevant to acknowledge that gender and ethnicity are not limited to the social aspect of agriculture. Women and other historically marginalized groups must be empowered and gain prominence in the sustainable agriculture movements. Therefore, agricultural practices must be inclusive and environmentally caring to achieve social and ecological well-being. To achieve it, we need to build farmers’ capacity to ensure the adequate management of our natural resources while fostering social equity and justice.
How can science and innovation help promote sustainability in food and agriculture?
I consider science as one of the pillars of development. However, leading volunteer projects and participating in the organization of diverse scientific meetings free for the general public; made me realize how necessary it is to have easy access to reliable knowledge and understandings to change the way we live in a more sustainable path. Indeed, when people know more, they can create more solutions and possibilities for everyone. We already have so many scientific solutions out there. All we need to do is make them freely and efficiently accessible to farmers, companies, researchers, policymakers, and, in other words, to everyone.
In what ways are you leveraging innovation to promote strong food systems? Can you provide specific
examples of innovation/technologies that support your work in tangible ways?
During my undergraduate thesis, I was very intrigued with the possibility of exploiting the non-host-like resistance mechanism as an alternative breeding strategy. This unique approach to combat plant pathogens motivated me to know more about the biological processes behind the interaction between plants and attackers and the usage of genetic resources for improving plant resistance to biotic stresses.
Outside the academic field, I am engaged in volunteering projects that focus on promoting the SDGs, especially SDG4 (quality education) and SDG2 (zero hunger), in Peruvian rural communities.
How do you see next-generation agricultural technologies contributing to food security?
Technology can improve our conservation practices, add value to food and help us reduce food loss. In other words, it provides an opportunity to foster economic growth that impacts our social well-being.
Andrea is just one of many inspirational young people working in agriculture. Visit our NextGen #FoodHeroes page to hear from other next-gen innovators working to improve plant science and agriculture.