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The Chiloé Archipelago, internationally recognized as one of the fundamental centers of origin for the global potato, is the stage for a critical conservation initiative. A sponsorship campaign has been launched to protect and preserve 112 ancestral native potato ecotypes cultivated on Lemuy Island.
The Guardian of the Potatoes
At the heart of this effort is Yolanda Millapichún, a 65-year-old Mapuche Huilliche farmer recently honored as a Living Heritage of the Chiloé Province. For over 15 years, Millapichún has dedicated her life to her “Rayén Milla” (Golden Flower) garden in the remote sector of Detif. Working anonymously for years, she manually plants, maintains, and harvests these tubers every September to prevent their unique genetics from being lost to time.
Her remarkable garden houses varieties with deeply traditional names such as Señorita, Pichiche, Ojitos Colorados, Rosa, and Cielito. These colorful and distinctly shaped tubers possess an incalculable scientific and biological value.
How the Sponsorship Works
The organization Comunidad La Melga Chiloé launched the campaign to secure the financial autonomy of this vital “garden of varieties”. Maintaining this biodiversity involves significant operational costs, including fertilizers, agricultural inputs, tool maintenance, and machinery rentals, which are difficult for an individual farmer to sustain without falling into debt.
- Through an annual contribution of $10,000 CLP, anyone can become a “godparent” (padrino or madrina) to a specific potato variety.
- The funds are transferred directly to Yolanda Millapichún.
- In exchange, sponsors receive periodic email reports detailing the cultivation progress and the harvest status of their adopted tuber.
The initiative is supported by the Lemuy Island Tourism Office, the Comarca of Contuy, and the Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda. To view the full catalog of the 112 varieties and choose one to sponsor, interested individuals can visit the “Jardín de Papas” section on the official website: www.lamelgachiloe.cl.
Global Significance
The preservation of these 112 native varieties goes far beyond the borders of Chile. As the global agricultural community prepares for comprehensive worldwide expeditions starting their planning phases in 2027, with full execution spanning across all continents from 2028 to 2030, safeguarding Chiloé’s genetic reservoir becomes an indispensable asset. Understanding and protecting this ancestral heritage provides the foundation for future studies in crop resilience, food sovereignty, and historical agricultural mapping.
By participating in this campaign, international supporters can help ensure that the ancient tubers of Lemuy continue to sprout, bloom, and feed future generations.
Sources of Information:
- ARGENPAPA: Chile: Inician campaña para apadrinar 112 variedades de papas nativas ancestrales en Lemuy (argenpapa.com.ar/noticia/17408-)
- CLG Medios: Organizan padrinazgo para financiar conservación de 112 papas nativas en Lemuy
- El Maipo: Buscan “padrinos” para proteger 112 variedades de papas nativas chilotas
- Cooperativa Ciencia: Rescate ancestral: Campaña busca «padrinos» para proteger 112 variedades de papas nativas chilotas
- The Clinic: La guardiana de las papas chilotas: la historia de Yolanda Millapichún
- Diario Sustentable: Yolanda siembra, cosecha y vuelve a sembrar
