Arica y Parinacota launches ancestral alfalfa project

INIA Ururi and the Regional Government of Arica y Parinacota have launched the ‘Alfalfa ancestral Alta Sierra’ project to revitalize an ancestral alfalfa ecotype in northern Chile. The initiative aims to improve seed production and support sustainable livestock farming in the Lluta, Camarones, and Putre valleys.

This specific variety of Medicago sativa has been preserved by Aymara farmers for generations and is uniquely adapted to extreme conditions, including saline soils, droughts, and frosts. While approximately 1,000 hectares are currently cultivated by 200 productive units supporting over 400 families, the project seeks to address the limited availability and low quality of commercial seeds. The project is funded by the Regional Fund for Productivity and Development (FRPD 2025).