The Andean Chakra and Sustainable Agriculture: Pilar de Soberanía Food and Gastronomic Heritage in the Azuay peasant communities

Patrimonial agriculture goes beyond increasing production, focusing on revaluing agricultural products and the sustainability of ancestral techniques, which represents a key social and economic value for communities. Local communities have been the main drivers of complex agricultural systems, diverse and adapted to local contexts, essential to maintain food sovereignty and conserve natural resources. In the Andean regions, the traditional system of the chakra has a deep cultural and spiritual roots, based on community cooperation and the sustainable use of the earth, strengthening cultural identity and biodiversity. This research will adopt a correlational and mixed design, with a transverse and exploratory approach. Through quantitative and qualitative techniques, data on the agricultural practices of the Andean chakra and its impact on sustainability, food sovereignty and cultural preservation will be collected. The sample will be made up of the most representative peasant communities of Azuay. The project will analyze the role of the Andean chakra in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty and the preservation of gastronomic heritage in the peasant communities of Azuay. The results seek to strengthen agricultural sustainability, social cohesion and cultural identity, providing key data for the design of public policies oriented to the protection of traditional agriculture, food sovereignty and access to local and regional markets involved in the Tourist-Gastronomic ecosystem of Azuay.

21st UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION