Peruvian chili bell pepper species and their impact on agriculture

Peru has nine species of wild chili peppers, five of which are extremely hot, such as the mocoro, native to the Mantaro River basin, and the marate, from the Cusco Amazon, both considered ancestors of the rocoto and yellow chili peppers. The Ministry of Environment (Minam) reports that other varieties, such as charapita, panca, yellow and rocoto, are cultivated by man.

 

The Minam study, “Línea de base de la diversidad del ají y rocoto peruano”, highlights the cultural and ecological value of these crops, which have been essential in agriculture and gastronomy since pre-Hispanic times.

 

Minam has implemented the “La Ruta del Ají” program, which makes it possible to identify the distribution and status of the different varieties throughout the national territory.

 

This project contributes to collecting key conservation information, involves local communities and promotes public awareness of the importance of protecting these species.

 

Wild ají peppers are key to climate change adaptation due to their ability to thrive in extreme conditions. Each region of Peru has its characteristic chili bell pepper: the mochero in the north, the rocoto in the Andes and the charapita in the Amazon.

 

source: agraria.pe