UNSA students collaborate with the Organic Farming Systems Project in setting second season crops
June 13, 2025
Last October, the Nexus Organic Farming Systems (OFS) team initiated a series of on-farm research trials on three farms (open fields) and three fitotoldos in the Colca Valley to assist farmers with the process of transitioning to organic farming systems. To continue with that research, at the end of May and beginning of June, the second planting season was conducted by the OFS team in collaboration with 50 undergraduate students from the National University of San Agustin (UNSA). Taking advantage of UNSA curricular trip to Colca, students from the 2nd year of the Agronomy School helped the Nexus project members on its on-farm trial activities, while they learned about setting up an experiment, which has contributed to enhance their research skills and professional development.
During this campaign, work was initiated in the on-farm trial in Madrigal, then we moved to the trials in Yanque, and finally to the fitotoldos in Sibayo. In the three locations, UNSA students began clearing the plot of weeds and the remaining plants of fava beans and quinoa planted during the 1st season. Once the plots were cleared and delimited, students proceeded to turn the soil, apply the amendments (or treatments) and seeding of quinoa, fava beans, and red clover based on the protocol.
Contact Details
- Rosa Cossio
- rcossio@purdue.edu
- 765-494-0721
