"Evaluation of the improvement of tuber crops through agroecological practices implemented in the university's garden", was the environmental proposal presented by Mikele Hinojosa and Carlos Simba, students of the Environmental Engineering undergraduate program in the university's campus in Quito, the project was also presented during the XVI International Congress on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, held at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

The research, carried out under the supervision of professor Ronnie Lizano, member of the Environmental Sciences Research Group, is aimed at recovering production processes, ancestral and ecological technology, and healthy eating habits in the university community. 

The agro ecological practices suggested in the project are to reuse organic matter, plant residues to obtain humus, the use of bio-inputs to improve the productivity and health of plants. "The purpose is to promote environmental education with a sustainable production and consumption model to generate a direct impact in all areas with the participation of the university community committed to health and well-being from an agro ecological perspective," said Hinojosa. 

The proposal is based on the fulfillment of the 2030 objectives of sustainable development. "We seek that academia actively participates in promoting the access to healthy food, besides being able to change the patterns of irresponsible consumption to achieve a nutritious food culture free of agrotoxic inputs, "said Simba.

For Hinojosa and Simba, having participated in this congress was a very enriching experience, an opportunity to share with experts and strengthen research networks on sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, ecosystems, climate change and others.