Josué Estrada

Pioneered sustainable agriculture in Andean regions through ancestral farming techniques

Reviving Ancient Agricultural Practices

Colombian agronomist Josué Estrada (1925-1998) began his work in the 1950s documenting Quechua farming methods. His 1958 study published in the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture demonstrated how terraced farming systems could triple crop yields while preventing erosion. He established the first agroecology training centers in the Andes in 1962.

Innovative Crop Preservation

Estrada's 1965 FAO-funded 'Seed Vault Project' preserved over 800 indigenous crop varieties. His 1970 book 《Roots of Abundance》 became a manual for smallholder farmers. By 1980, his techniques had increased food security for 200,000 Andean families.

Modern Impact

His work inspired the 1990s 'Andean Agricultural Renaissance' movement. The UNESCO recognized his terraced farming systems as cultural heritage in 2010. Current climate change researchers cite his methods as models for mountainous regions facing global warming.