This Peruvian Farmer Grows Over 400 Varieties of Potatoes

Consider the humble potato. Many of us take the starchy tuber for granted. But not Julio Hancco Mamani. That’s because deep in the Andes mountains, in the Cusco region of Peru, this “Potato King” is continuing a family legacy by cultivating more than 400 native varieties of the crop. But he’s not just growing them for fun. Mamani’s goal is to preserve the great variety that he has established for future generations and encourage others to love the noble tubers as much as he does.

This Great Big Story was made in partnership with Peru.