On Earth Day and during the International Year of the Female Farmer, producers from Cajamarca and Ayacucho lead the use of biocontrol agents and greenhouses to tackle the climate crisis and price volatility.
In the framework of Earth Day, and in the face of an increasingly challenging climatic outlook, women leaders of Peruvian agricultural cooperatives emerge as protagonists of sustainability.
Through the use of technology and ancestral knowledge, rural entrepreneurs are transforming agriculture in the face of frosts, pests, and market instability.
The challenge is urgent: according to the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi), 2025 closed with 26 intense frost events and cold spells, drastically surpassing the historical average of 18. This situation jeopardizes food security and the livelihood of thousands of high Andean families.
In response to this crisis, initiatives led by women are setting the standard in implementing sustainable solutions: in Cajamarca, Yesica Montoya, a member of the APT del Norte Agrarian Cooperative, leads the transition towards less dependent agriculture.
Faced with the volatility of tara prices, producers have diversified their crops with cereals and whole flours. Additionally, they have replaced chemicals with biocontrol agents, that is, beneficial insects and microorganisms that act as natural pesticides, protecting the soil health and the consumer.
“Relying on a single product was very risky. That’s why we decided to diversify and opt for more sustainable practices,” says Montoya.
Meanwhile, in Ayacucho at more than 3,600 meters above sea level, Yésica Godoy, a member of the Frutos del Ande Agrarian Cooperative and President of the Los Lirios de Totorabamba Women’s Association, has implemented greenhouses to protect crops of medicinal herbs such as mint, chamomile, lemon balm, and others. This technology not only reduces production times but also allows for the processing of dehydrated products.
“We used to sell fresh and it wasn’t profitable. Now we work with dehydrated products, which allows us to reach more markets,” explains Godoy.
Both experiences share a focus on circular economy, transforming organic waste into compost to naturally nourish the land, thus closing the production cycle without generating polluting waste.
This effort is especially relevant this year, declared by the United Nations for Food and Agriculture (FAO) as the International Year of the Female Farmer. The initiative seeks to close gender gaps and recognize women as key players in resilience to climate change.
The stories of Yesica Montoya and Yésica Godoy are part of the campaign “Women Future Circular 2026”, an initiative that highlights circular business models led by women that generate economic and social impact. This campaign is supported by the European Union, and the projects are driven by the NGO Autre Terre, strengthening the empowerment of women in the Peruvian agri-food sector.
