28 April 2020, Mariscal Castilla, Peru - Luis Sinche, a banana Farmer in Peru, continues to harvest his crop, providing nearby towns with fresh produce during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. His agro-ecological farm, located in Mariscal Castilla in central Peru, specializes in bananas, which he plants next to his avocado and coffee trees. From his time with FAO's Farmer Field School, Luis learned the agro-ecological methods he now uses on his farm. This includes wrapping bananas in bio-degradable bags to protect them against insects, pests and diseases.
In 2019, FAO helped family farmers like Luis to become suppliers for Peru's national school feeding programme, Qali Warma, and its local counterpart. Luis's banana crop was bought by the local government and sent to schools in the surrounding areas. The Qali Warma school feeding programme is still functioning in some areas with very high poverty rates, delivering food while maintaining physical distancing measures.