José Esteban Mendoza

Colombian agro-ecologist who pioneered sustainable farming practices in the Andes

José Esteban Mendoza (1925-1972) was a Colombian agricultural scientist whose work in sustainable farming transformed Andean agriculture. Born in the coffee-growing region of Huila, he witnessed the environmental degradation caused by monoculture farming. After studying agronomy in Bogotá, he developed the Cultivo Sostenible Andino method in the 1950s, combining native crop varieties with terraced farming techniques to prevent soil erosion. His system increased crop yields by 40% while reducing chemical use, directly benefiting over 80,000 smallholder farmers.

Mendoza's 1963 establishment of the Centro de Investigación Agrícola Andina became a hub for training farmers in organic pest control and water conservation. His research on quinoa cultivation helped revive this ancient crop, now a global superfood. Despite assassination threats from agrochemical companies, he continued advocating for peasant rights until his death. The FAO recognized his methods as a model for climate-resilient agriculture in 2015. Spanish Wikipedia profile