Acknowledgments
Best Agricultural Producer
Yudy Cisneros, the dream of making life better
In the heart of Sachabamba, in the department of Ayacucho, quinoa farmer Yudy Cisneros Arango has already achieved many of her dreams; even so, she continues on, ever in search of new challenges.
Yudy was born into a family of farmers and livestock breeders, where a love for the countryside was as natural as breathing. She spent her childhood shepherding sheep, drinking fresh milk, and savoring food straight from the fields.
In the heights of Sachabamba, which sits at 3,400 m (11,150 ft.), Yudy and her family farm 15 hectares of high-quality quinoa in three varieties: red, white, and black. These grains, packed with nutritional value, are the result of a firm commitment to a sustainable diet.
As a member of ASPAGRO—a company formed by 132 quinoa producers in Ayacucho—Yudy wants to offer the world food that helps make life better. ASPAGRO has two business units, one wholesale and the other retail.
Last year, ASPAGRO launched Nutrithy, a premium sustainable quinoa brand that reflects the values of the company and its members. Yudy also acts as the brand’s image. Nutrithy products can be found in organic and health food stores in Lima.
At the age of 48, Yudy—a mother of four—aspires to expand the reach of her products in the domestic market and beyond. She began exporting to Spain during the pandemic. With the support of ASPAGRO, led by CEO Jonathan Contreras Gavino, she has managed to ensure better prices and help build customer loyalty. This project would not have been possible without her husband, Fredy Bautista Cisneros, and Liz Azpur Pillaca, two of the company’s driving forces.
At home, quinoa is not only an essential part of her diet that can be found in each meal; it is also a way to remain connected to her roots.
Yudy’s fields are a legacy that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Her farm is named “Pepito,” in honor of her son José, who has physical and mental disabilities.
With hope and love, this woman has transformed these lands into a source of income.
