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such as the inclusion of pesticides and fertilizers which have slowly led to a decrease in soil quality and an

increase in associated problems of health such as malnutrition (Philpott 2013). Depleting native vegetative

cover, implementing inadequate and poorly established tilling systems, poor management of irrigation

systems, limited consideration to adding organic matter to the soil, using previously classified ‘marginal

areas’ for agricultural uses and excess pasturing have all contributed to the degradation of Andean soils

(Jacobsen 2011).

On the other hand, quinoa could be a more sustainable option as a supplement for introduced species

which have created environmental issues of their own. Long-term rice production has been found to be

problematic for Peruvian farmers and natural ecosystems due to the intensive irrigation required. Peru is the

second most productive rice grower in South America according to the International Rice Research Institute

(IRRI) accounting for 12.25% total production (Duong 2017). The current method of water logging involved

in irrigating rice field creates salinization of the soil as it accumulates water-soluble salts and limits a plant’s

growth and water uptake. The Northern coast of Peru has been experiencing exactly this, close to 40% of

cultivated land is nearing levels of irreversible salinization which severely affects the fertility of the soils. This

is where quinoa steps in, because of its low requirements for water irrigation, its ability to grow in saline soils

and its semi-drought-resistant properties, it may be a perfect substitute to save these currently saline areas.

This would give governmental bodies time to inspect and improve faulty irrigation systems that leach salts

while still producing a profit from the land.

THE CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE AND QUINOA

Climate change poses a serious threat to the stability of agrobiodiversity around the world. With

increases in aridity and greater temperature and weather extremes, the need to plant suitable crops to deal with

these changing conditions, while also providing appropriate nutritional output for a growing population, are at

the forefront of climate change adaption strategies (Ruiz et al. 2013). Quinoa genotypes are widely regarded

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