Superfoods – is healthy eating just hype? | DW Documentary

Summary

The script explores the global superfood trend, highlighting the nutritional benefits of foods like quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds. It delves into the impact of increased demand on local ecosystems and communities, particularly in Bolivia, where quinoa cultivation has led to environmental degradation. The narrative contrasts traditional, sustainable farming methods with modern practices that prioritize yield over ecological balance. It also critiques the marketing of superfoods, suggesting they're often overhyped and not as beneficial as advertised, while advocating for a more sustainable and informed approach to food consumption.

Takeaways

• 🌱 **Superfood Trend**: The script discusses the global popularity of superfoods, which are considered healthy and nutritious, but also raises questions about their sustainability and impact on local communities.
• 🌍 **Global Demand**: The increasing demand for superfoods like quinoa and avocado has led to significant changes in agricultural practices, sometimes at the expense of traditional farming methods and local ecosystems.
• 🌾 **Quinoa Production**: Quinoa, a staple in South America, has seen a surge in demand, particularly in Germany, which has affected the cultivation methods and the livelihoods of farmers in Bolivia.
• 🏜️ **Environmental Concerns**: The script highlights the potential for superfood cultivation to lead to environmental degradation, such as soil erosion and the creation of highland deserts, if not managed sustainably.
• 🌿 **Traditional vs. Modern Farming**: The contrast between traditional, sustainable farming methods and modern, large-scale monoculture farming is explored, with a focus on the importance of preserving the environment.
• 💰 **Economic Impact**: The economic benefits and challenges faced by local farmers due to the fluctuating prices and market demands for superfoods are discussed.
• 🛒 **Consumer Confusion**: Consumers are often misled by marketing claims about superfoods, with the script pointing out that not all superfoods are as healthy as advertised, and that local alternatives may be just as beneficial.
• 🔍 **Nutritional Value**: The script questions the true nutritional value of superfoods, comparing them to more common foods and suggesting that the hype may overshadow the benefits of a balanced diet.
• 🌐 **Global Trade and Local Impact**: The script examines how global trade in superfoods affects local communities and environments, emphasizing the need for sustainable and ethical practices.
• 🌱 **Sustainability Efforts**: The script concludes with a look at efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and the potential for consumers to drive change by demanding more than just organic, but truly sustainable products.

Q & A

What is the definition of 'superfood' as mentioned in the script?

In the script, 'superfood' is defined as food that is particularly beneficial for one's health due to its nutritional value.

Which three superfoods are highlighted in the script as being in high demand?

The three superfoods highlighted in the script as being in high demand are quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds.

How does the script suggest that the superfood trend may be impacting local communities and ecosystems?

The script suggests that the superfood trend may lead to the destruction of entire ecosystems and turn regions into deserts due to unsustainable farming practices and monoculture.

What is the origin of quinoa, and how has its cultivation changed over time as per the script?

Quinoa originated in the South American Andes highlands, where it was farmed by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The cultivation has changed due to the superfood trend, leading to increased demand, monoculture farming, and soil erosion.

What are the consequences of the quinoa boom on the local environment as described in the script?

The quinoa boom has led to deforestation, soil erosion, and the potential transformation of the region into a desert, as described in the script.

How does the script describe the impact of superfood demand on farmers in Bolivia?

The script describes that the impact of superfood demand on farmers in Bolivia has been mixed, with initial benefits from higher prices followed by a market collapse, leading to unsustainable farming practices and economic hardship.

What is the role of traditional farming methods in sustainable quinoa production as mentioned in the script?

Traditional farming methods, such as those used in the hillsides of Bolivia, are described as more sustainable due to less land use, better soil regeneration, and higher quality yields.

How does the script critique the marketing of superfoods in Germany?

The script critiques the marketing of superfoods in Germany by pointing out that many so-called superfood products are high in sugar and do not necessarily contribute to a healthy diet, despite their marketing claims.

What alternative to superfoods does the script suggest for a healthier diet?

The script suggests consuming local fruits and vegetables as an alternative to superfoods for a healthier diet, emphasizing their nutritional value and lower environmental impact.

What is the script's stance on the term 'superfood' and its impact on consumer health?

The script is critical of the term 'superfood', suggesting it is often misused in marketing and can mislead consumers about the health benefits of certain products, which may not be as healthy as claimed.

How does the script address the issue of pesticide use in superfood production?

The script addresses the issue of pesticide use by highlighting that some superfoods, such as goji berries, have been found to contain higher concentrations of insecticides and may also contain heavy metals, raising concerns about their safety.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 The Rise and Impact of Superfoods

The paragraph introduces the concept of superfoods, emphasizing their popularity and perceived health benefits. It mentions specific examples like quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds, which are in high demand for their nutritional value. However, it also points out the confusion surrounding the necessity of these foods and questions the sustainability of the superfood trend, hinting at potential negative impacts on local ecosystems and communities where these foods are sourced.

05:08

🌾 The Environmental Toll of Quinoa Cultivation

This paragraph delves into the environmental consequences of quinoa farming, particularly in Bolivia. It discusses the historical significance of quinoa as a staple food and the changes in agricultural practices due to the global demand for quinoa as a superfood. The expansion of quinoa cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion, and the potential desertification of the region. The paragraph also touches on the economic implications for local farmers, who face challenges such as fluctuating market prices and the shift from traditional, sustainable farming methods to more intensive, monoculture practices.

10:11

📈 The Economic Consequences of the Superfood Craze

The focus of this paragraph is on the economic impact of the superfood trend on farmers and the market. It details the price volatility of quinoa, which peaked in 2014 due to the superfood boom but dropped significantly in 2015. The paragraph highlights the challenges faced by hill farmers who practice sustainable farming but do not receive higher prices for their efforts. It also contrasts the situation of these farmers with the growing consumer demand and market growth for superfoods in Germany, where the turnover increased dramatically between 2014 and 2016.

15:13

🍇 The Myth of Superfood Health and Sustainability

This paragraph challenges the health claims associated with superfoods, using examples like dried cranberries and chia seeds to illustrate that these products may not be as healthy as advertised. It points out that some superfoods are high in sugar or other less healthy components. The paragraph also addresses the issue of sustainability, suggesting that the focus on superfoods distracts from the need for a healthier overall diet and that local alternatives may be just as nutritious without the environmental costs associated with superfoods.

20:15

🚜 The Unsustainability of Quinoa Farming and Its Future

The paragraph discusses the unsustainable farming practices of quinoa in the flatlands and the potential long-term consequences, such as declining soil quality and yields. It introduces Joachim Milz, a sustainable-farming consultant, who is concerned about the future of quinoa farming and the need for a shift towards more sustainable practices. The paragraph also touches on the positive economic impact of the quinoa boom on local communities, but emphasizes the need for change to ensure the long-term viability of quinoa farming and the health of the region's ecosystems.

25:18

🌳 The Path to Sustainable Quinoa Production

The final paragraph outlines the potential for sustainable quinoa farming and the importance of maintaining the ecological balance in Bolivia's highlands. It discusses the need for organic and sustainable farming standards to be adopted more widely, not just for quinoa but for the overall agricultural practices in the region. The paragraph concludes with a sense of optimism, suggesting that with the right approach and consumer demand, it is possible to achieve sustainable farming that supports both the environment and the local communities.

Keywords

💡Superfoods

Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods considered beneficial for health and well-being. In the video, superfoods like quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds are highlighted as being in high demand due to their perceived health benefits. The script discusses the trend of superfoods and questions the sustainability of their production, as well as the impact on local ecosystems and farmers in countries where they are grown.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain processes or resource use over the long term without causing environmental harm or depleting resources. The video script raises concerns about the unsustainable farming practices associated with the increased demand for superfoods, such as quinoa, which can lead to soil erosion and the potential transformation of regions into deserts.

💡Quinoa

Quinoa is an ancient grain native to South America, particularly the Andean region. It is considered a superfood due to its high protein content and nutritional value. The script discusses the history of quinoa cultivation, its traditional farming methods, and the challenges faced by Bolivian farmers due to the global superfood trend, including fluctuating market prices and unsustainable farming practices.

💡Monoculture

Monoculture is the practice of growing a single crop over a large area, often leading to environmental degradation and reduced biodiversity. The video script uses the example of avocado farming to illustrate how the focus on superfoods can lead to monoculture, which in turn can have negative consequences for the environment and local communities.

💡Nutritional Credentials

Nutritional credentials refer to the health benefits and nutritional value of a food. The script mentions that superfoods are in high demand because of their perceived nutritional credentials, but it also questions whether these foods live up to their hype and whether the focus on superfoods distracts from a more balanced and sustainable diet.

💡Ecosystems

Ecosystems are complex networks of living organisms and their environment, interacting as a system. The video script discusses the potential for the increasing demand for superfoods to disrupt ecosystems, particularly in regions where these foods are grown, leading to issues like soil erosion and desertification.

💡Organic Certification

Organic certification is a label indicating that a product has been produced according to organic standards, which typically include restrictions on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. The script mentions that many quinoa producers have organic certification, but it also points out that organic farming does not automatically equate to sustainable farming practices.

💡Yield

Yield refers to the amount of a crop produced per unit area. The video script discusses how the push for higher yields in quinoa farming has led to the clearing of natural vegetation and the use of mechanized farming, which can have negative environmental impacts and may not be sustainable in the long term.

💡Pesticide Screening

Pesticide screening is the process of testing for the presence of pesticides in food products. The script mentions that some superfoods, such as goji berries, have been found to contain higher concentrations of insecticides, raising concerns about the safety and health implications of consuming these products.

💡Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are metallic chemical elements that can be toxic or harmful to living organisms at low concentrations. The video script includes discussions about the potential presence of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in certain superfoods, which can be a result of environmental contamination or improper agricultural practices.

💡Local Alternatives

Local alternatives refer to food products that are grown or produced in the same region where they are consumed. The script suggests that instead of relying on imported superfoods, consumers should consider local alternatives that may offer similar nutritional benefits without the environmental costs associated with long-distance shipping and potentially less stringent farming regulations.

Highlights

Superfoods are in high demand due to their perceived health benefits.

Quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds are examples of popular superfoods.

There is confusion among consumers about the true health benefits of superfoods.

The superfood trend's impact on local communities and ecosystems is a concern.

The increasing demand for superfoods has the potential to destroy ecosystems.

Superfood restaurants are becoming popular worldwide, offering dishes with exotic ingredients.

Customers appreciate the health benefits and exotic nature of superfood dishes.

Florian Klar, a restaurant owner, aims to provide a healthy alternative to fast food.

Superfoods are often served in visually appealing and nutritionally diverse bowls.

The nutritional content of superfoods like quinoa is compared to more common grains.

The cultivation of quinoa in Bolivia is leading to environmental degradation.

The traditional farming methods of quinoa are being threatened by modern monoculture practices.

The demand for avocados has also led to environmental issues in producing countries.

The superfood industry's growth has been rapid, but its sustainability is questionable.

European consumers are largely unaware of the environmental impact of their superfood consumption.

The superfood market in Germany has seen a significant increase in turnover.

Nutrition experts argue that superfoods are often overhyped and can be part of an unhealthy diet.

Local alternatives to superfoods can be more sustainable and nutritious.

Some superfoods may contain harmful substances due to less strict farming regulations.

Sustainable farming practices need to become the standard to protect ecosystems.

The community of Rodeo has benefited from the quinoa boom but faces sustainability challenges.

Transcripts

They’re hip and healthy,

and more than just a passing trend: superfoods.

For me, superfood means what does you good, because superfoods are super for my body.

Quinoa, goji berries, and chia seeds:

just three of the countless superfoods

in big demand due to their nutritional credentials.

The points is what a person needs.

There's complete confusion on that issue.

And now you see these products where we’re told: "You need this.

If you eat this, you'll get well or you won't get sick."

But it's not really true.

How does superfood-hype impact on local people

in countries where the products are actually grown?

Does the continually increasing demand have the potential

to even destroy entire ecosystems?

We're on the road to disaster here if something doesn't change.

And the region will turn into a desert.

The superfood craze started as is so often the case, in the US.

And now, superfood restaurants are at home in cities around the world.

They serve dishes with exotic ingredients such as avocado, chia and quinoa —

which come with the promise of making you slim, healthy and happy.

The customers in this restaurant in Bochum, Germany, like it.

It looks healthy. And you know you're doing something good for your body.

I like to eat a lot, but I like to eat healthy, too. This a perfect mix.

There's lots of healthy stuff here,

and it's good to have a change from cafeterias or other places in town.

Florian Klar recognized a niche and opened his business about a year ago.

He came up with the recipes himself.

His aim is to offer a healthy alternative to fatty, fast food.

Another one of the reasons why we're here is because it's much easier to eat stuff

that's bad for you than eat in a healthy way.

We want to change that.

And with the term "Superfood" you attract more customers

than if you call yourself a "bistro for healthy food."

The food here is served in special bowls.

Warm ingredients are combined with cold ones, most of them raw.

The food is supposed to look tasty and have an exotic touch.

The nice thing about a bowl like this

is that there are lots of individual foods in it.

A — that makes it nice and colorful, and B, it's good for your body,

because each individual ingredient contains minerals and vitamins.

That makes it a perfect meal.

These are our kidney bean balls:

Chickpeas...

Here we have quinoa, an ancient Inca grain from South America.

It’s a grain that is cooked with water and contains loads of healthy proteins.

But are superfoods really all they’re cracked up to be?

The protein content of quinoa, for example is comparable to everyday millets.

Quinoa has more fiber. But millet has more than twice as much iron.

Florian Klar buys a lot of his ingredients at the Bochum wholesale market,

which boasts local products AND foreign foods like sweet potatoes, too.

As always: quality flesh inside.

The freshness of the products is important to Florian when he’s shopping.

I need some herbs.

You've come to the right place.

The mix is key to Florian's menu.

He combines local fruits and veg with foods from faraway lands.

Every fruit and vegetable has its own nutritional composition.

That's why it's so nice to combine the local with the exotic,

because many diverse nutrients, vitamins and minerals

come together, and they form a very complex meal.

And that’s great for the body.

But healthy doesn't necessarily mean sustainable.

The superfoods served up in Germany

come from countries thousands of kilometers away.

Quinoa is a good example. Among the major producers is Bolivia.

The variety that sells best in Germany, quinoa real, is harvested on salt flats.

The indigenous peoples of the South American Andes highlands

were already farming quinoa six thousand years ago.

The nutrient-rich grain has always been a staple food here.

Joachim Milz is a sustainable-farming consultant.

For years, he's been watching how quinoa cultivation has developed in the region.

On these relatively saline and poor soils with little rainfall,

we find a crop that can deliver fantastic yields.

And with the llamas it's an ingenious or ideal form of production,

and is good for the region’s economy.

But that's changing.

Shrubs used to provide food for the llamas and protect the soil from erosion.

After the harvest, the animals came to graze.

Llama dung provided fresh nutrients.

Since the quinoa boom started, farmers have been pushing for maximum yields —

while the scrubland has been cleared.

I was shocked by the fact that 150 to 200 thousand hectares of llama grazing land

has been ploughed up for quinoa.

There are now quinoa fields as far as the eye can see.

Rising demand has led to massive expansion in the plant’s cultivation.

Clearing the fields has left the soil without the vegetation

that had protected it from wind erosion.

When you walk along here, you only see annual weeds growing now.

The soil is completely unprotected.

Ultimately, what they're doing is promoting the development of a highland desert.

Farmers won't have the conditions they need to produce here,

so people will have to go elsewhere.

That change is already making itself felt.

With crop yields declining,

some farmers have already given up and gone to the cities

to make a living as unskilled laborers.

And Bolivia is just one place

where superfood monoculture has left the land scarred.

The problem we see here with quinoa is basically going on everywhere

around the world.

Take the avocado for example.

As a superfood, it’s grown as a monoculture on large farms.

Once profits become the priority,

short-term economic interests override everything else.

And hardly anyone really thinks about what will become of these ecosystems —

where people also live.

Massive demand for avocados has led to problems in countries that grow the fruit,

just as it has with quinoa here in Bolivia.

Within a decade, the area of land used to grow avocados increased by 30 percent —

with 15 hundred liters of water now needed per kilo.

Vegetables in Germany such as lettuce or tomatoes require far less.

Enormous single-crop farms, especially in dry regions,

only ensure short-term high yields.

Raising quinoa the traditional way is based on a different principle —

using less land, but yielding better quality.

Jobia Calani farms a small plot of land.

It takes her two weeks to harvest the field by hand.

Since tractors are now used to grow quinoa more easily everywhere in the flatlands,

there are few people left who want to toil away on hill farms.

Yet this is the cradle of quinoa cultivation.

This is the way our ancestors worked the fields back then.

Our grandparents taught our parents, and our parents taught us.

We have to plow this up every year.

Are these Quinoa roots?

Yes, exactly, the old roots.

And you leave these twigs here?

We rake them, using tools like this. That's our way of working the soil.

It's a traditional system that's been practiced for centuries.

Even here there's room for improvement in terms of sustainability,

but compared to the mechanized farming down in the lowland plains,

this is more environmentally-friendly.

The soil has time to regenerate between the two harvests here on the hillsides.

The plants are large, the individual kernels: plump.

See this plant here, it's yielding really well.

Look at the seed heads, the kernels are nice and ripe.

By our standards, these are the best grains.

We store them and use them as seeds.

Joachim Milz has brought along some quinoa from a German supermarket.

He wants to show the farmers how the grain they grow here

is sold and consumed in Europe.

So how do you feel about Germany and Europe suddenly discovering quinoa as a superfood?

Our product didn’t used to be well-known.

Word hadn't got around yet about how much protein it has.

It used to cost less than rice and pasta.

They said quinoa wasn't worth that much.

As farmers, we're a little proud that quinoa is now known all over the world.

The farmers compare the quinoa from the German supermarket

with what they've just harvested from their own field.

The box says "Class 1."

But even our Class 2 is bigger than this.

I'd say it's Class 3.

And these little ones here, they're nothing. That's chicken-feed!

Jobia is done with this field for today.

Further up the hillside she has another plot of ripe quinoa that needs harvesting.

When the superfood boom started in 2014, the price for quinoa went through the roof.

Back then, even small villages like Cierro Grande profited from this trend.

It’s home to just seven families.

They were able to buy new equipment — such as a small grain-sorting machine.

That made work easier.

But in 2015, just a year later, the market price collapsed again.

How much would you have to earn from quinoa grown on the hillside for it to pay off?

They’d have to pay us a lot more for our production costs to be covered.

Plus: we need to feed our families.

The development of the price for quinoa in Bolivia looks like a roller coaster ride.

In 2014 it peaked at just over three thousand dollars a ton,

but only three years later, it plummeted to a lower value than before the boom began.

The expansion of quinoa farming on the plains

also led to major fluctuations in its price.

And the hill farmers suffer because they can't compete and don't get paid more

despite the additional effort involved in working on the hillsides.

The farming is sustainable, with high-quality yields.

But this way of working the land is at risk of dying out.

European consumers are relatively unaware of the farmers' problems —

while the superfoods selection in their supermarkets keeps on growing.

Between 2014 and 2016 the turnover generated by superfoods in Germany

rose from 1.4 million to 42.6 million euros.

The bestseller is chia, which accounts for 62 percent of sales.

But what's best to buy from such a large selection?

Consumer are completely confused.

So they're vulnerable to advertising based on faith. It's like religion.

I show up promising a miracle, and people in need of orientation

are ready to believe it. That's the concept behind superfoods.

Doctor and nutrition specialist Matthias Riedl inspects the superfoods

on the shelves of a Hamburg supermarket.

Ginger, dried berries, chia — customers find a wide variety

of supposedly healthy products here.

But the list of ingredients shows what's really inside.

You could think this is the natural foods section.

But here we have cranberries.

You don't see it right away, but they have an extra 40% sugar — and sunflower oil,

which isn’t the best oil.

So this bag of cranberries has more sugar in it than a bar of chocolate.

Almost 70 percent. So they're anything but healthy.

Chia seeds do contain the very-best nutrients.

But they're usually consumed in very small quantities.

Superfoods are just a diversion from the real problem.

The German diet isn't healthy enough.

And adding 15 grams of chia seeds daily won't change it.

But that's exactly what happens.

Chia seeds are something of an alibi food to make up for an otherwise unhealthy diet.

15 grams provide even less omega three fatty acids than, for example,

a generous portion of walnuts.

Flaxseed could be another alternative to chia.

It has more protein and about the same proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Although when it comes to calcium, flaxseed can't compete.

Big industry is eager to join the superfood trend.

Even long-time staples such as ready-to-serve cereals

are now being supplemented with exotic grains and berries.

Here are two examples of what's going wrong.

They've got far too much sugar and just a smidgeon of cranberry

to let the consumer know: "Look, it's got fruit in it!"

But the percentage of cranberries is well below five percent — negligible.

The key here is the high level of sugar.

It's unhealthy and neutralizes anything beneficial

that the dried cranberries contribute.

Lingon berries are an alternative to cranberries that grow in Europe,

for example.

The sugar content in raw cranberries is lower.

But due to their relatively sour taste,

far more sugar is added to the dried version.

The term "superfood" isn't a registered trademark,

but does suggest a positive effect on consumer health.

But that's not always the case.

Here's a nice example.

One hundred percent natural doesn't mean 100 percent healthy.

This small portion for two euros gives you 47 grams of sugar per 100 grams of product.

So eating this little bag-full means nearly 25 grams of sugar.

That's the World Health Organization's maximum daily intake recommendation,

so that's pretty much it for the day.

The nutrition expert advises people in Germany

to eat local fruit and vegetables, even if they're less trendy.

Our produce has an image problem,

and we need to inform people about how good these fruit colors are for us

and the benefits of our local products.

Allioids have a natural anti-inflammatory effect,

whether it's chives, garlic or leek.

There are local alternatives in Germany for many overseas foods —

and they don't have to be shipped thousands of kilometers

to get to supermarket shelves.

And they're a sound choice on the nutrients front.

The goji berry has seven times more calories than the humble black currant,

primarily because of the former’s high sugar content.

And when it comes to vitamin C the black currant easily outstrips the goji.

Some so-called superfoods come from countries where farming regulations

are not as strict as in Germany.

Sample measurements have shown that some may contain pesticides and heavy metals.

This lab in Bremen specializes in detecting hazardous substances

in food and other products, and has tested the likes of goji berries.

During pesticide screening we check for the presence

of about two hundred different pesticides.

These include insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

We also screen for four heavy metals: lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury.

We've primarily found insecticides in higher concentrations.

And not just in goji berries.

Samples from other institutes have indicated the presence of pesticides

and mineral oil in raw cocoa, chia seeds and moringa powder.

The pesticide issue isn't a problem with quinoa.

Many producers have organic certification.

But that doesn’t make the farming sustainable.

Tractors churn up the dry soil.

And with demand growing,

the land being farmed now stretches from the hills to the flatlands,

with no end in sight.

Joachim Milz is concerned that if things go on like this

there won't be any quinoa growing here one day.

The farmers are already telling him that the yields are shrinking from year to year.

The conclusions that could be drawn from this aren't being made.

People need to ask, above all: what can we actually do differently?

Instead of saying: "Ok, stop ploughing all that up,"

the message should be:

"How can we produce quinoa without destroying the whole region here?"

Joachim Milz is headed for the community of Rodeo,

where they also grow quinoa in the flatlands using mechanized farming.

The quinoa boom revived this village.

Many locals returned from the big cities,

because they could make a living here again.

Houses were rebuilt,

and a modest level of affluence developed in the form of assets

like tractors and other machines.

And the villagers went back to fostering local customs —

such as traditional dress, music and rituals.

The big demand for quinoa has had a really positive effect on our community.

Our standard of living and our quality of life have improved enormously.

The way they grow quinoa in Rodeo needs to change fundamentally

if they are to maintain that.

The crop is farmed according to organic standards,

but natural vegetation is still being largely cleared.

That weakens soil quality.

Have a look at this tola plant and the way its root system is formed.

The roots are still firmly anchored in the soil,

and go several meters down into the ground.

This is one of the most important species to maintain fertility

in this extremely dry region.

It stops wind erosion and helps to keep water in the soil.

If the decline in soil quality continues,

soon it will no longer be worth the farmers’ effort.

Joachim Milz talks to the farmers

about ways to ensure decent harvests in the long term.

The soil is beautifully fertile here. Because of these here.

We must produce the quinoa with this. It's like fertilizer.

And at the same time it's food for llamas, right?

That's the best thing for the quinoa;

we just have to take all these woody bits and sprinkle them on the field when we sow.

We should try that.

As such, we need to produce everything — biomass, fertilizer —

on the piece of land itself. Then it’s sustainable.

And at the same time we also have to reforest.

People are quite skeptical, but that's always the case with something new.

But people are listening.

A place like this makes me optimistic that something can be done.

In the small town of Salinas,

preparations are underway for a market fair

where the regional quinoa farmers will be able to present their wares.

All the towns in the surrounding area are represented

in this showcase of the food that is so vital for the region.

Joachim Milz wants to speak to the exhibitors.

Many export their crops to Europe, and most produce according to organic standards.

The agronomist is hoping that German consumers

will soon not only want quinoa that is farmed organically,

but sustainably as well.

It would be good if this demand could be used to change farming practices.

We have to make it clear that the organic requirements

are not nearly enough to produce quinoa sustainably.

Sustainability has to become a quinoa farming standard

if the ecosystems in Bolivia's highlands are to remain intact —

and offer their human and animal inhabitants a viable long-term future.