The Peruvian National Prize for Women in Microbusiness went to Margarita Ríos, 58, who for the past seven years has grown and exported exotic flowers in the northeastern Amazonian city of Iquitos. Ríos grew some wildflowers, and in 1998 a Dutch expert visited the Peruvian Amazon region to determine the potential for business based on biodiversity. ''I didn't understand much at first, but I went to his seminar and I invited him to my farm,'' she said.

''He recommended various flowers, including the torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) and the 'miskipanga' (Renealmia). I planted nearly a hectare, but they said, 'how are we going to buy your flowers that grow only in the forest?'” she recalled as she collected her award.

She realized that her flowers could be exported because they could survive several days without water, she told Tierramérica.

To boost production, ''I gave away seeds, and now we are eight housewives in Iquitos who grow flowers for export,'' said Ríos.