Working with Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, we're helping re-establish native species in the desert farmland of Peru - where our suppliers grow crops such as grapes and asparagus.
From peas and beans to grapes and asparagus, a wide range of Sainsbury’s fruit and veg is grown on farms in the deserts of Peru.
But there’s a problem. In the past, large-scale farming has led to loss of native species and ecosystems – which could also make crops more vulnerable to floods.
We’re committed to sustainable sourcing of food. So, in a project with Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, we’re helping research native plants and restore ecosystems – working alongside the large farms that supply our fruit and veg.
Fertile soil
The idea is to introduce native species – such as deep-rooted huarango trees, which help soil stay fertile – for the benefit of Peruvian agriculture. We’ve worked with schools and communities to help conserve these trees.
The project has also trialled ‘corridors’ of biodiversity, similar to British hedgerows, at the borders of large farms.
And to support the work, we’ve helped set up a research centre (pictured) to develop and study rare native plants – so that species can be propagated at large scale.
Success so far
We’ve already seen successes. And soil is becoming more fertile in areas reforested by the project.
In new habitat corridors, researchers have found native species such as wild guinea pigs, lizards and desert foxes.
Native bees, the research has discovered, pollinate crops more efficiently than the non-native ones that farmers were using.
Looking forward, there are plans to work out how to balance the ecosystem – so that birds control pests without causing damage to crops.
In this way, we hope to improve farming – while rebuilding ecosystems and building a sustainable future.