Fernando Cavajal

Chilean agricultural innovator who developed drought-resistant crops for Andean farmers

Fernando Cavajal (b. 1965) revolutionized Andean agriculture by creating climate-resilient crop varieties. Starting in the 1980s, he worked with Mapuche communities to hybridize native quinoa and potatoes, creating strains that thrive in arid conditions. His Andean Agroinnovation Project distributed free seeds to over 3,000 smallholders, doubling crop yields in regions affected by climate change. Cavajal’s 1998 book Seeds of Resilience: Cultivating Hope in the Andes became a manual for sustainable farming. He later co-founded the Andes Sustainable Harvest Network, which now operates in seven South American countries. His work was featured in the 2005 documentary Roots of Renewal, highlighting indigenous knowledge in climate adaptation.