Álvaro Vargas

Peruvian entrepreneur who transformed Andean agriculture through cooperative farming

Álvaro Vargas (1925-1998) revolutionized Andean agriculture by creating the first successful agricultural cooperatives in the Peruvian highlands. In 1955 he established the Campesino Solidario network, which linked 10,000+ small farmers to modern irrigation systems and crop diversification programs. His 1960s innovation of the 'Mountain Market' system connected remote Andean producers directly with urban consumers, tripling farmer incomes. Vargas developed the first quinoa export cooperative, paving the way for Peru's $2 billion quinoa industry. His 1972 book 《Andean Harvest》 became a blueprint for sustainable farming. The Álvaro Vargas Agricultural Institute in Cusco continues his work through this website. His model inspired similar cooperatives in Bolivia and Ecuador, significantly reducing poverty rates in Andean regions. Watch his legacy in the documentary 《Roots of Resistance》.