Launched in 1998, the ÚNICA potato variety has become a remarkable agricultural innovation in Peru and increasingly, around the world. A recent study conducted by Laterite in partnership with the International Potato Center (CIP) sheds light on just how impactful this resilient, fast-growing, and disease-resistant crop has been for farmers’ livelihoods, incomes, and food security.
From innovation to impact
The variety was originally bred to thrive in diverse climates from Peru’s high-altitude regions to its coastal plains. ÚNICA’s success lies in its early maturity, resistance to the late blight disease, and ability to produce high yields year-round. It was designed with smallholder farmers in mind, aiming to tackle both productivity challenges and rural poverty.
Today, ÚNICA is grown across 19 of Peru’s 25 regions, with major cultivation concentrated in Arequipa, Junín, and Cajamarca, and has expanded to countries like Kenya, China, and Tajikistan. But the impact isn’t just in its adoption.
Evidence of economic and social gains
Laterite’s study evaluates the adoption and socioeconomic impact of ÚNICA through rigorous methods including Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences. The findings are promising:
- Increased income: Farmers who grow ÚNICA benefit from quicker harvest cycles and access to industrial markets, allowing them to earn during “production windows.”
- Job creation: Higher labor demand across the value chain, from planting to processing.
- Lower costs: Due to its natural resistance to diseases, ÚNICA reduces the need for costly inputs.
- Greater resilience: The variety thrives in both highland and lowland areas, giving farmers flexibility in the face of climate variability.
However, the report notes that income gains are sometimes offset by seasonal oversupply, which lowers market prices. Still, many farmers manage to adapt by diversifying activities or leveraging better prices during off-peak periods.
A model for sustainable agriculture
With the CIP2030 Strategy focused on resilience and poverty reduction, this research offers actionable insights for scaling impact. ÚNICA isn’t just a better crop, it’s a pathway to better livelihoods. Our findings show that improved agricultural technologies, when supported by strong market linkages and local adaptation, can make a real difference.
What’s next?
The study also lays out an impact evaluation framework as well as alternative methods, setting the stage for future studies. These will be crucial in understanding long-term sustainability and identifying bottlenecks to adoption.
Read the full report here:
