PepsiCo is investing USD $3 million over the next three years to create the Agricultural Development Center of Peru. The Center, which is the first of its kind in Latin America, will focus on the development of new varieties of potatoes and other tubers and roots.

This is only the third PepsiCo facility of this kind in the world. In the United States, the company’s Center for Agricultural Research and Development of Potatoes— located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin—is focused on developing potato varieties that are adaptable to temperate zones. In Europe, PepsiCo has a partnership with the University of Cambridge for agricultural research.

«Because of Peru’s biodiversity this is the only place in the world where PepsiCo uses not only traditional white potatoes, as we do for Lay’s Classic potato chips, but also different native potato varieties. For example, here in Peru we use native Andean potatoes for Lay’s Andinas and the yellow potato for Lay’s Peruanisimas, which makes us very proud,» commented Antonio Escalona, South Andean general manager of PepsiCo Foods.

The creation of the CEDAP is part of PepsiCo’s commitment to «Performance with Purpose,» which means delivering sustainable business growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet.

«Peru has long been an important market for PepsiCo, and the investment we’re making in this world-class research and development facility demonstrates our long-term commitment to the country as well as to Latin America as a whole. At PepsiCo, we take great pride in working with local farmers, environmental experts and scientists to share best practices in sustainable agriculture that will help improve yields, enrich crops and protect our natural surroundings,» said Indra K. Nooyi, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo.