The Ezra Taft Benson Agriculture and Food Institute is a 501 (C3) Corporation owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and operated as a subdivision of the Church's Welfare Department that has as its goal the improvement of the nutrition and health of the rural poor.
The Institute was originally formed as part of the Brigham Young University (BYU) College of Biology and Agriculture in 1975. It was named for Ezra Taft Benson, a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, president of the LDS Church, and an advocate for the well being of farmers. The institute still maintains ties to BYU but in January 2008 it separated organizationally from BYU and became part of the LDS Church's Welfare Program.
The Benson Institute has focused on Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, Morocco, and Ghana.
Theses/Dissertations from 2010
Agronomic performance of five varieties of forage grasses inroduced in Carmen Pampa, province of Nor Yungas, La Paz, Joel Eliseo Bautista Vargas
Theses/Dissertations from 2009
Production of the edible mushroom (Agaricus sp.) under laboratory conditions for their multiplication in different culture media, Mercedes Victoria Galeón Alcón
Diversity and abundance of insects from the Reduviidae and Pentatomidae families in three ecological niches of six communities in the Coroico and Coripata municipalities, Department of la Paz, Fernando Miguel Manrique Mamani
Evaluation of the effects of saka or suncho (Viguera pascensis) in the feeding of guinea pigs (Cavia aparea porcellus) in the community of Sococoni, Muñecas province, La Paz, Boris Rodriguez Peñaranda
Concentration of metabolites and behavior of live weight in llamas (Lama glama) fed with natural grass and barley during gestation, postpartum, and new born phases in Turco, department of Oruro, Eduardo Ticona Benique
Metabolic effect of three protein levels in the nutrition of alpacas (Lama pacus) in the experimental station of Brigham Young University, Rolando Freddy Uruña Tito
Theses/Dissertations from 2008
Effect of food deprivation on the metabolic profile of llamas (Lama glama) in the Letanias experimental station - Viacha, Edwin Eddy Ali Quisbert
Quantification of pollinating insects of the superfamily Apoidea in three ecological niches of three communities in the municipality of Coroico-Nor Yungas, department of La Paz, Óscar Jaime Claros Sossa
Evaluation of five lines of amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) in three locations within the Imbabura province, Lorena Marivel Dávila Pullas
Resistance of different tomato varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum) to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in laboratory conditions at UAC Carmen Pampa, in the province of Nor Yungas, department of La Paz, Andrez Faustino Florez Paxi
Effect of three cryoconservation diluents on sperm motility and vitality in the ejaculate of bulbourethal-ectomized llamas (Lama glama), department of La Paz, Edwin Eddy Maceda Tintaya
Participatory strategic plan for the marketing of chicken broilers produced by beneficiary families in the area of influence of the Benson Institute, in the city Otavalo, A. Lourdes Paola García
Theses/Dissertations from 2007
Evaluation of the nutritional quality of twelve species of grass tolerant to salt and drought in function to their dry matter accumulation curve in the Tamborada region, Julio César Bustamante Alavi
Diluents for cryopreservation of semen from non-woolly llamas (Lama glama), Franz Nicolas Bustos Fernández
Evaluation of vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) fed with three types of hay in stables in the municipality of Tiahuanaco, department of La Paz, José Cartagena Catacora
Response of three ecotypes of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) to five levels of ovine manure in the community of Yampupata (Manco Kapac province - La Paz), Sabina Quispe Paye
Evaluation of hair production in angora rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), fed with three different rations of reed in the Desaguadero municipality - department of La Paz, Angel Sullca Mamani
Adaptations of five pale-type grain amaranth accessions (Amaranthus caudatus) and five ataco or sangorache accessions (Amaranthus hybridus) in the cities of Otavalo and Antonio Ante, Sixto Stalin Tuston Torres
Theses/Dissertations from 2006
Application of different levels of byproducts from quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in the preparation of rations for guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus L.) in the growing and fattening stages, Grover Antonio Aduviri Paredes
Metabolic profile and nitrogen balance in llamas (Lama glama) fed with jipi quinua and barley hay, Viacha municipality - department of La Paz, Meliton Ajata Avircata
Apparent digestibility in vicunas fed with soft straw and alfalfa in the C.E.A.C., Felisa Capriles Apaza
Effect of the use of amaranth leaf flour in the development of a diet for guinea pigs, Verónica del Rocío Guerrero Carrera
Effect of early weaning on piglet weight gain and fertility in sows (Sus scrofa) in Carmen Pampa of Nor Yungas - La Paz, Darwin Juan Luna Isita
Determination of the primary levels of the residues of the seeds of wheat, maize, and barley for the elaboration of the food mixture for rabbits, Aida Esperanza Morejon Jacome
Effect of chemical fertilization and organic amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.) var. Alegria INIAP Chaltura, Andrade Andrade Pablo Raúl
Agronomic evaluation and comparison of the yield of six multiannual forage species, under dry land conditions in the Ingavi province, Freddy Óscar Paye Paye
Energy value in llamas (Lama glama) fed with alfalfa hay (Modicago sativa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) for apparent digestibility in vivo in the National Camelid Germplasm Bank (CEAC), Edwin Gonzalo Ugarte Huanca
Agronomic growth characteristics of two varieties of baby carrots (Daucus carota L.) at three planting densities in Walipini (Ingavi Province), María Eugenia Valdez Cuba
Evaluation of the seed production of tall grasses tolerant to drought and salinity in the Tamborada region - Cochabamba, Magali Vallejos Arnez
Apparent digestibility in lamas (Lama glama), fed with Brazilian grass and wheat in the C.E.A.C., William Edson Velez Contacayo
Theses/Dissertations from 2005
Living digestibility of alfalfa and barley in llamas (Lama glama) in the agricultural experimental center Condoriri, Adelaida Alarcon Chuquichambi
Replacement of fish meal by meal worm (Eisenia foetida) in the feed of broilers as an alternative source of protein, Carlos Ángel Cervantes Cevallos
Metabolic profile and live weight of male llamas (Lama glama) fed with barley hay, alfalfa, and quinoa scrub, Karla Coaquira Arratia
Biochemical and molecular nutrition blocks as dietary supplements in llamas (Lama glama) in the last third of the gestation period of the CEAC, Janette Illanes Callejas
Feed conversion index in two populations and two lines of guinea pigs for meat production, Kathia Jordán Vargas
In vivo digestibility in llamas (Lama glama), fed with barley and paja brava at the C.E.A.C., Martha Jesusa Llanos Pérez
Apparent digestibility in llamas (Lama glama) fed with (Stipa ichu) treated with urea and molasses at the C.E.A.C., Ninfa Jacqueline Magne Colque
Evaluation of the agronomic performance of six varieties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the St. Felix community of the Coroico township (Nor Yungas-La Paz), Viviana Marleni Quisbert
Development of a process of addition of tricalcium phosphate from burnt phosphate rock in feed for animal nutrition, Luis Fernando Nogales Grágeda
Agronomic performance of two baby lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa L.) at three planting densities using panqar huyus in the Ingavi province, Francisco Javier Orruel Fusco
Effect of the use of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) leaf flour in the creation of feeds for the production of broiler chickens, Wendy Valeria Quel Ruíz
Brucellosis in alpacas (Lama pacos) in communities of the city Ulla Ulla, Franz Tomayo province, department of La Paz, Macario Suxo Blanco
Agronomical evaluation of six species of forage grass tolerant to salinity in the Tamborada region, Bladimir Vargas Rojas
Theses/Dissertations from 2004
Effect of canihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max M) sprouts on the feeding of guinea pigs for growth, Eddy Wilfredo Calle Ayma
Effect of bulbourethrectomy and collection frequency on macro- and microscopic characteristics of llama (Lama glama) ejaculate, Víctor Efrain Gonzáles Vargas
Determination of four production indicators in llama (Lama glama) herds in Ayllu Pumasara, Saucari, Oruro, Magin Herrera Lopez
Determination of the nutritional level of calcium and phosphorus in llamas (Lama glama) in two seasons in the Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center, Gustavo Adolfo León Titichoca
Botanical and chemical composition of diets selected by alpacas (Lama pacos) pastured in the Ulla Ulla wetlands, Lino Constancio López López
Evaluation of drip and microasperation irrigation methods in spinach (Spinaca oleracea) and Swiss lettuce (Valerianella locusta) in walipinis, Marina Roxana Luque Quispe
Evaluation of agronomic performance of forage grasses in Tiahuanaco, Justiniano Mamani Condori
Evaluation of the use of climatically controlled pankar-huyus modules for cultivating lettuce, Lucio Guillermo Rocabado Paco
Theses/Dissertations from 2003
In situ degradability of native pastures in llamas (Lama glama) in the rainy season in the community of Pujrata, Pacajes province, Mario Acho Nina
Determination of the botanical and chemical composition of the pasture diet selected by llamas (Lama glama) during the rainy season in the community of Pujrata, Cristóbal Achu Nina
Determination of home techniques for storing and conserving food in the homes of Cuambo and La Rinconada in Imbabura province, 2001-2002, Marisol Caicedo Barrios
Digestibility of legumes and grassy forages in guinea pig feeding, Javier Americo Campos Villarroel
Evaluation of the production yield in two guinea pig populations under field conditions and Project Mejocuy cages, Elbert Alan Estevez Siles
Evaluation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) at different spacings between furrows and plants in the Mamani community, José Ferrufino Miranda
Control of tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) with biocides on tomatoes (Lycopersicum sculentum) in the community of Carmen Pampa, belonging to Coroico municipality (Nor Yungas, La Paz), Rosemary Gutiérrez Coarite
Red series reference values in healthy people from 15 to 60 years old who live between 1700 and 1850 meters above sea level (Coroico - Nor Yungas - La Paz, 2001), Maria Eugenia Quispe Nina
The Effectiveness of Consuming Fortified Foods (API) with iron on the anemia ferropriva in resident students to great altitude of the rural area of the Departemento of La Paz, Beatriz Julia Ramirez Copa
Costs of feeding guinea pigs in two meat-producing populations in the field and experimental station, Sara Taborga Galindo
Influence of three soil types on the physical, chemical, and organoleptic characteristics of two varieties of kidney tomato hydroponically cultivated under a panqar huyu system, Carlos Fernando Yepez Vallejo
Theses/Dissertations from 2002
Formulation of Balanced Diets in Base of Grains of Left-over of Corn, Wheat, and Barley for Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), Egresado Hever Patricio Castro Calvache
Creation of three nutritional mixes based on amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) and other Andean crops for school-aged children (Cochabamba-Bolivia), Sandra Carola Delgadillo Barriga
Biochemical components of seminal plasma of llamas (Lama glama) at three ages, Pedro Angel Delgado Callisaya
Biochemical Components in the Secretion of the Bulb Urethral Glands of Llama (Lama Glama) in Three Ages, Demetrio Laruta Flores
Determination of protein profile and presence of antibodies in llama seminal plasma (Llama glama), Francisco Flores Lópes
Determination of the Protein Fraction and Presence of Antibodies in the Seminal Fluid of Llama (Lama glama), Francisco Flores Lopes
Spacing between rows and plants in two ecotypes of Kanawa (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) in the northern highlands, Wilfredo Pablo Marín Parra
Analysis of genetic variability of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) germ plasm around Lake Titicaca, Milton Víctor Pinto Porcel
Fiber performance and quality of Angora Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in different trims, Juan Jaime Blacutt Toledo
Theses/Dissertations from 2001
Processing and conservation of the grain of corn (Zea Mays L.) and project of industrial feasibility, Marina Caballero Bautista
Efficiency of the Inorganic Fertilization in the Cultivation of Alfalfa (Medicated Sativa L) and Whitewashing for the Correction of the pH of the Soil, Alex Gonzalo Bravo Morocho
Analysis of a mixed cereal of legumes that processes similar nutritional characteristics to a cereal product of local consumption and its economic feasibility, Willy Ivan Anzaldo Garcia
Nutritional Food and Health Education with Instructive Lessons in the Community School of La Rinconada, Cantón Ibarra, Province of Imbabura, Olga Maria Gómez Chirán
Evaluation of diets with different levels of barley sprouts (Hordeum vulgare) in the basic feed of guinea pigs (Cavia aperea porcellus) in the phases of growth, Jenny Lourdes Mamani Gutierrez
Livestock Production Costs of Small Ranches on the Central Altiplano, Alfredo Benito Lopez
Food, nutrition, and health education with educational lessons in the Cuambo community school, Ibarra canton, Imbabura province, Fanny Margoth Victoria Recalde
Theses/Dissertations from 2000
Analysis and organization of the family based agricultural production system in the Poroma community of Oropeza province, Marco Antonio Domingo Burgoa Chopitea
Evaluation of forty-two corn (Zea mays L.) genotypes and their tolerance to drought in Chiquimula, Servin Ardany Flores Galdámez
Elaboration and Validation of the Educational Material Used in Nutritional Education in the Communities of Copalacaya, Choquenaira, Callisaya, and Muruamaya, of the Providence Ingavi of the Department of La Paz 1998, Maria Isabel Mercado Miranda
Relation between Internal Parasites with Basic Services and the Nutritional Status of Children Five Years of Age in the Indigenous, Black and Mestizo Communities of the Rural Area, Imbabura Province, R. Patricio Paguay Ruiz
Study of Two Species of Bees (Apis mellifica) and Three Types of Beehives In and Around Chulumani (Prov. Chapare), Jose Cruz Pardo
Agro-socio-economic evaluation of three rural communities in the Colta Canton of the Chimborazo Province, Ivan Asaquibay Paucar
Analysis of the livestock production system of the Poroma community in the 2 section of the Oropeza province, department of Chuquisaca, Freddy Claudio Ramírez Serrudo
Application of dietary guidelines for Guatemala in three rural communities of Chiquimula, Sandra Liseth Salazar Donis
Evaluation of 4 small doses of fertilizer in growing maize (Zea mays L.) in two communities of San Juan Ermita, Chiquimula, Victor Estuardo Villalta Garcia
Agronomical behavior of two kinds of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla L.) fertilized with earthworm humus in an underground greenhouse in Viacha, La Paz, Walter Von Boeck