Ecuador: Rescue of native potato production in Tungurahua

"They’re delicious, and they’re on par with brand-name chips, much less artisanal ones," says Julián Rodríguez of Yapu Chips, a 100% Tungurahua product that’s slowly gaining ground in the local and national markets.

Snacks

This is an undertaking involving a group of around 40 farming families from Tungurahua, who are working to preserve the ancient tradition of growing native potatoes.

The work is being carried out by families from Pilahuín in Ambato, Píllaro, and Quero, who, with the support of institutions such as the Provincial Government and under the direction of Agropapa, are promoting native potatoes from their communities so that they can be processed and sold as snacks that are not only delicious to the palate, but also nutritious.

The snacks are made with unique potato varieties, such as yanna shunko and puka shunko, which are part of the gastronomic and cultural heritage of the farmers involved in this project.

Luis Montesdeoca, coordinator of this program, explained that Agropapa’s vision has been to bring these native potatoes to a wider audience, so they can enjoy their benefits and break down the paradigms surrounding the potato as it is currently known.

"It has been an arduous rescue effort, as the production of these native potatoes declined significantly over time, as they fell out of favor in the local market," the technician explained, adding that traditional agricultural practices are respected throughout the entire cultivation process and sustainability is promoted, thus avoiding the use of pesticides and chemicals and working in harmony with nature.

"This idea has allowed the enterprise to grow as an associative business in which each member contributes their ancestral knowledge, but with new preparation and packaging techniques, they are offered to the population," Montesdeoca emphasized.

THE FACT  The ancestral cultivation of these varieties of potatoes occurs at 3,600 meters above sea level.

Job

The process begins with the selection of quality seeds, which are planted in January and September each year, for about a decade. The potatoes are then selected and transported to the plant in Montalvo, a parish in Ambateño, where they are washed, peeled, fried, and packaged in 40- and 100-gram containers.

Montesdeoca explained that these delicious and crunchy flakes are sought after not only for their flavor but also for their striking colors, as the potatoes come in purple, red, and blackish varieties. To give them an even more exquisite touch, they are sold in plain, oregano-flavored, and chili-flavored versions.

"They’re perfect for pairing with everything. This is a quality work that deserves to be discovered and enjoyed by everyone," the producer added.

He emphasized that these potato varieties are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fiber. This makes them allies for good digestion, but they also have a low glycemic index, so they can be safely consumed by people with blood sugar problems.

"The entire process is high-quality, which is why we’re now expanding into several markets across the country. In Ambato, we’ve already reached some important locations," he commented. However, there are also distribution centers in other cities across the country, and they’ve even exported the product to the United States.

Finally, Montesdeoca reminded those who wish to purchase the product wholesale, they can do so at the factory in Montalvo, located on Espectador and Siete Tratados streets, or they can call 032 45 64 79 or 09 94 01 32 80. They can also find them for personal consumption at the El Salinerito and Mega Ya stores in Ambato. (NVP)

TAKE NOTE   In Ecuador there are around 300 species of native potatoes.

Common varieties of native potatoes from Ecuador

• Chola Antigua: A very popular potato in the Sierra, known for its flavor and different thicknesses.
• Uvilla: An early potato, yellow in color and elongated in shape, grown in highland areas.
• Egg yolk: A light yellow potato, round in shape and of good cooking quality.
• Black Leone: A dark-colored potato with white flesh and distinctive flavor.
• Black and white potato: Potato varieties with black or white skin, characterized by their sweet flavor and texture.
• Puña: A yellow potato, round in shape and with good yield.
• Calvache: A white potato, with an elongated shape and good adaptation to height.
• Chaucha colorada: A red or pink potato with white flesh and a sweet flavor.
• Santa Rosa and Carrizo: Other native potato varieties grown in the Sierra.