The Joya del Colca Association, the San Juan de Tarucani Peasant Community, and the Quillunza La Unión Association of Organic Agricultural Producers (APAOQ) participated in Expo Agraria 2026, a trade show that attracts more than 52,000 visitors in Lima and opens up business opportunities for small-scale producers. The goal was clear: to promote their products, learn about similar experiences from other regions, and connect with large-scale buyers through business matchmaking sessions.
Artisans from Joya del Colca and San Juan de Tarucani presented a diverse selection of handicrafts and accessories made from alpaca fiber. For its part, APAOQ showcased various quinoa products, one of its flagship products alongside kiwicha. In both cases, these are products that reflect the organized work of high Andean communities and embody a history of resilience.
Quillunza La Unión Association of Organic Agricultural and Livestock Producers
In addition to showcasing and selling their products, representatives from the three associations shared the initiatives they are undertaking to contribute to water conservation, soil restoration, and the strengthening of the livelihoods of highland Andean families, demonstrating that sustainable and organized production also creates opportunities.
Victoriana Choque, from the San Juan de Tarucani Peasant Community, at a business roundtable
The highlight of their participation was the business matchmaking sessions, in which they took part alongside more than 60 agricultural organizations and 20 commercial companies—a concrete opportunity to open new markets and expand their marketing channels. Through this, the three winning initiatives of the Puna Competitive Fund took another step forward in the pursuit of economic sustainability for their communities, demonstrating that organized work, women’s leadership, and technical support yield results in terms of food security and the country’s development.
The Puna Competitive Fund, implemented by Profonanpe, is the project's financial mechanism. Resilient Puna, a joint effort of the MIDAGRI, MINAM, SERNANP, Profonanpe, the German cooperation GIZ and the Mountain Institute, with financing from Green Climate Fund, The Peruvian State, the Government of Germany BMZ and the Government of Canada.
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