Farming without famine: Ancient Andean innovation rewrites agricultural origins – ScienceDaily

Report on the Transition from Foraging to Agriculture in the Andes and Its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent study published on June 25, 2025, in the open-access journal PLOS One by Luis Flores-Blanco and colleagues from the University of California Davis and Arizona State University challenges the traditional view of the agricultural transition in the Andes. Contrary to the belief that this shift was driven by hardship and resource scarcity, the research reveals a period marked by economic resilience and innovation.

Study Overview

The transition from foraging to farming is a critical milestone in human history, underpinning the growth of modern civilization. Traditionally, it has been viewed as a response to population pressures and declining wild food sources. This study investigates the diets of ancient Andean populations during this transition, focusing on two archaeological sites:

1. Kaillachuro
2. Jiskairumoko

Both sites are located in the Lake Titicaca Basin and were inhabited approximately 5,000 to 3,000 years ago.

Methodology

• Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen isotope ratios from bones of 16 individuals
• Comparison of isotope signatures to determine dietary composition
• Integration of archaeological, botanical, and statistical data

Key Findings

• Diet consisted of approximately 84% plant material, supplemented by meat from large mammals.
• Dietary proportions remained consistent throughout the transition period and were similar to both earlier foraging and later farming communities.
• Food resources remained stable for thousands of years, contradicting the notion of scarcity-driven agricultural adoption.
• Development of mixed foraging-farming economies through management and domestication of wild foods.
• Cultural advances such as expanded trade networks and innovations in ceramics and archery technologies supported economic resilience.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This research aligns with and informs several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Demonstrates sustainable food systems based on effective resource management and dietary stability over millennia.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Highlights ancient practices of managing and domesticating natural resources responsibly.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Reflects the sustainable interaction between human societies and terrestrial ecosystems through the domestication of plants and animals.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Showcases the role of technological and cultural innovations in supporting economic resilience.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving comprehensive understanding and sustainable outcomes.

Expert Insights

Luis Flores-Blanco stated: “Our research shows that the origin of agriculture in the Titicaca Basin was a resilient process. Ancient Andean peoples relied on their deep knowledge of harvesting wild plants like potatoes and quinoa, as well as hunting camelids. With this understanding of their environment, they effectively managed their resources—domesticating both plants and animals—and gradually incorporated these domesticated species into their diet. This Andean economy path made this transition both beneficial and stable.”

Luisa Hinostroza added: “This article challenges the traditional idea that the transition to agriculture occurred out of necessity or periods of crisis. Our findings demonstrate, instead, that in the Altiplano, it was a process marked by stability and food sufficiency sustained for thousands of years. These results constitute crucial evidence revealing the capacity of Andean societies to efficiently manage their resources, such as tubers and grains, and maintain long-term stability.”

Funding and Acknowledgments

• National Science Foundation grant (SBR-9816313)
• The Rust Family Foundation (RFF-2021-146 and RFF-2023-212)
• American Philosophical Society (2021)
• Carlos Brignardello Grant (IFEA 2020)
• National Geographic Society (EC-97351R-23)
• University of California, Davis

Conclusion

The study provides significant evidence that the transition from foraging to agriculture in the Andes was a stable and resilient process rather than a response to crisis. This understanding contributes to the global discourse on sustainable food systems and resource management, offering valuable lessons aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals for building resilient and sustainable societies.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses the transition from foraging to farming in the Andes, highlighting food sufficiency and stable diets over thousands of years.
   • This relates directly to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The study emphasizes efficient management of natural resources, including wild plants and animals, and the domestication process.
   • This reflects sustainable use and management of natural resources.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article highlights the domestication and management of terrestrial plants and animals, contributing to sustainable ecosystems.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article mentions innovations in ceramic and archery technologies and expanding trade networks, reflecting technological progress and innovation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests and halt deforestation.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 2 Targets:
   • Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (implied through evidence of mixed foraging-farming economies and domestication practices).
   • Dietary composition and food sufficiency over time, as measured by isotopic analysis of ancient bones.
2. For SDG 12 Targets:
   • Efficiency in resource management, indicated by stable food resources and sustainable domestication of plants and animals.
   • Reduction in resource depletion, implied by long-term stability in food sources.
3. For SDG 15 Targets:
   • Extent of managed and domesticated plant and animal species contributing to ecosystem sustainability.
   • Indicators related to conservation status of species and ecosystems, implied by the stable use of wild and domesticated resources.
4. For SDG 9 Targets:
   • Number and impact of technological innovations, such as ceramic and archery technologies, and expansion of trade networks.
   • Scientific research outputs and interdisciplinary studies, as demonstrated by the integration of multiple specialized fields in the study.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: sciencedaily.com