Challenges and Opportunities of O<i>xalis tuberosa </i>Mol. Cultivation, from an Andean Agroecological and Biocultural Perspective

This study examines the agroecology and bioculturality of Oxalis tuberosa Mol., in the Mont&uacute;far canton, Carchi province, Ecuador, an area where this Andean tuber is cultivated at altitudes above 3,000 meters and in soils with a pH between 5.3 and 7.8. The research was conducted in the Producampo Producers Association, composed of 33 active members, of which 87.5% are women, with an average age of 51.25 years. Oxalis tuberosa Mol., constitutes an important crop in their Integrated Agroecological Production Systems (IAPS): 62.5% of farmers use sustainable fertilization practices with bioinputs such as compost and vermicompost, while only 25% employ chemical fertilizers, with applications of approximately 5 kg every six months in secondary crops. The research adopted a mixed-methodological approach, combining semi-structured interviews with descriptive statistical analysis using Atlas.ti and statistical software. Of the total Oxalis tuberosa Mol. production, 80% is intended for personal consumption and 20% is sold at local markets. Cultivated ecotypes include &ldquo;blanca&rdquo; (70%) and &ldquo;chaucha&rdquo; (30%), both resistant to pests but susceptible to frost. Families dedicate between 32 and 80 hours per week to production, with an average of 56 hours. The findings highlight the potential of Oxalis tuberosa Mol. to improve the food resilience of Andean communities and suggest that revaluing this crop and its traditional practices can improve agricultural sustainability in the region.