PRODUCTION SUSTAINABILITY INDEX OF ORGANIC QUINOA (Chenopodium Quinoa WILLD.) IN THE INTERANDEAN VALLEYS OF PERU

Abstract

Background. The growing demand for organic quinoa in the national and international market has contributed to the intensification of quinoa cultivation under conventional production systems, causing changes in economic, environmental and social terms in the quinoa-producing areas of the inter-Andean valleys of the highlands of Peru.  Objective. The aim of the study was to analyze the economic, social and environmental sustainability of organic quinoa production in plots of five communities in the province of Andahuaylas, Peru. Methodology. Surveys with structured questions were applied to a stratified sample of 50 organic quinoa producers with a focus on sustainability. The internal consistency of the scales used was validated by Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) using the optimal scale technique and the percentage scale was determined with 0 - 24% very low level of sustainability and 100% as optimal level of sustainability. Implications. The value of economic, environmental and social indicators determines the degree of sustainability of organic quinoa production systems. Conclusions. An Economic Indicator (KI) of 42.6%, Social Indicator (IS) of 52.7% and Environmental Indicator (EI) of 53.4% were found. The General Sustainability Index (GSI) was 50.9%, which results in an average sustainability level and with critical points related to the market and adverse climatic and biotic factors.