Conserving bio-diversity at Peru’s CIP

What do the objects at right have in common?

They’re all potatoes.

And all their genetic diversity is being conserved, partly because of the grid.

The International Potato Center (known by its Spanish acronym, CIP) seeks to ensure the biodiversity of this staple food crop. The organization also seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities — not just on the potato, but on other root and tuber crops as well.

In addition, CIP research includes protecting potato seed, studying better methods of pest management, managing mountain agro-ecosystems, and using genetic resources to improve crops, among other activities.

To help it do so, the CIP installed the first cluster/grid high performance computing system in Peru.

Climatology

Forecasting an El Niño — a half-century ahead

Researchers in South America use the grid to help run long- range climate forecasts, using 3 scenarios: “pessimistic,” “normal” & “optimistic.”

Latin America and computing

Profile - Craig Lee

The president of Open Grid Forum looks into his crystal ball to see what is the future state of e-infrastructure in Latin America.

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