🥔 Andean Potato Farmers

Andean Potato Farmers

High-altitude potato farming communities in Peru and Bolivia cultivate crops at 3,800-4,700 meters—the world's highest agricultural systems. They endure extreme UV radiation, freezing nights, thin air, short growing seasons, hail, and frost. Developed 4,000+ potato varieties adapted to extreme altitude including bitter potatoes processed into freeze-dried chuño. Terraced agriculture, frost-resistant varieties, traditional knowledge of microclimates, and feeding the world from the "ceiling of agriculture" characterize these extreme high-altitude farming communities.