Arequipa Nexus Institute in Peru Receives $4 Million for Phase 3 Funding

Arequipa Nexus Institute in Peru Receives $4 Million for Phase 3 Funding

In August 2023, the Arequipa Nexus Institute for Food, Water, and the Environment received $4 million in funding from the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) for a third phase of research collaboration. The institute collaborates with a multitude of faculty and students from a number of Purdue's colleges who work with faculty from UNSA. The goal is to build long-term collaborations that address environmental, agroeconomic and social challenges that create a sustainable future for the people of Arequipa. The projects in the third phase will continue to address challenges in the region while also improving the livelihoods of underserved highland communities. Read below for information on these new projects.

Renewable Energy Center for High Andean Communities (CERCA)
In this project, PI Daniel Leon-Salas (Polytechnic) and Co-PI Xiaonan Lu (Polytechnic) will work with UNSA partner Mauricio Postigo to create a research and education center that dedicated to renewable energy and co-located with the CIBCI research station. The center will serve as a field lab for development and test technologies in renewable energy to educate and train on design, installation and service of renewable energy systems for homes and small businesses in the nearby communities. Learn more about the project here.

Integrating Genomics, Phenotyping, and Nutrition Strategies to Enhance Alpaca Fiber Quality and Survival in Arequipa's Highlands
In this project, PI Luiz Brito (Animal Sciences) and Co-PI Jon Schoonmaker (Animal Sciences) will work with UNSA colleague Dennis Pilares Figueroa to improve the alpaca fiber market of the Peruvian people as for many, this is their primary source of income. The changing climate in recent years of colder seasons in the winter and dryer seasons in the summer have caused a variety of issues that are jeopardizing the sustainability of this industry. Learn more about the project here.

Sustainable Development through Regenerative Tourism: A Pilot Program on the Colca Valley High Route
In this project, PI Jonathon Day (HTM) will work with UNSA partner Carmen Franco aims to implement sustainable tourism development communities of the High Andes. The two main objectives of the project are to assess the challenges of supporting sustainable development of the destination communities in the Colca Valley and develop sustainable and regenerative tourism projects. Learn more about the project here.

Building Soils, Communities, and Profits with Organic Farming Systems 
In this project, PI Lori Hoagland (HLA) and Co-PIs Daniel Leon-Salas (Polytechnic) and Julia Bello Bravo (ASEC) will work with UNSA colleague Dennis Macedo to implement the adoption of organic farming practices in Colca Valley as organic farming practices are growing rapidly. Thus, providing Colca River Valley farmers an opportunity to increase the profitability and sustainability of their operations. Learn more about the project here.