Heberto

This week, another graduate! Heberto Yañez looked at planting techniques for the Andean root racacha (Arracacia xanthorriza), and confirmed that growing racacha in small nursery beds and later transplanting it produces a better crop.

Heberto worked closely with farmers from the nearby community of San Juan de la Miel, working as a true extensionist. Here are the farmers planting the nursery with Heberto.



He also met with the farmers to discuss how the experiment was progressing, and shared his results with the farmers at the end of the experiment so that they could take advantage of the results.



And here are some roots ready to cook and eat.

(Photos courtesy of Heberto.)

We ate racacha last night! It's like a cross between a parsnip and a carrot. And it is a crop that diversifies the farms of the region, helping stabilize the income of our local farmers due to fluxuating market prices for crops.