Background
PROINPA promotes technological innovation to improve the competitiveness of Andean agriculture (in particular potato and quinoa cultivation), food safety and the conservation as well as sustainable use of genetic resources, to benefit local farmers and Bolivian society as a whole. PROINPA currently operates 40 different projects, directly benefiting 11 000 people in more than 75 municipalities, 400 communities and in 7 departments of Bolivia.
Objectives
Bolivia is one of the 15 most bio-diverse countries in the world with a genetic reserve of great importance. Proinpa seeks to conserve, use and promote this reserve by developing a strategy for the management of genetic resources.
PROINPA’s three main objectives are:
- To promote the conservation and usage of genetic resources
- To develop new technologies of food security
- To promote and spread these technologies
Who does PROINPA help?
PROINPA indirectly helps all of Bolivian society by ensuring the competitiveness and quality of Andean produce.
Working conditions
The main offices of PROINPA are situated about half an hour from Cochabamba’s city centre and include three laboratories and two greenhouses, and a team of staff who range from economists to molecular biologists.
PROINPA Programs
PROINPA is not just looking for volunteers with a background in biology, food technology or agriculture, but welcomes people with education and experience in many different areas: administration, micro-finance, education, communication and media, and sociology. Volunteers would collaborate with staff according to experience and skills and at times would be required to make trips into the surrounding communities. Volunteers are also welcome to carry out research.
Volunteer/internship requirements
- Upper intermediate Spanish
- Experience/knowledge in one of the following areas: agronomy, agriculture, molecular biology, or economics
- Interest in agricultural issues and Andean products (such as potato, quinoa, peanut)
- Minimum commitment of three months