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Focus on the Andes
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Farming systems
The Andes is characterized by three main mountain farming systems:
The Intensive Highland mixed (North Andean) system includes two sub-systems: the higher elevation inter-valleys and the lower slopes. It is still an agriculturally viable farming system. However, due to the attractions of urban life and the crisis in traditional indigenous culture, out-migration to lower mountain regions and to the Amazon and Chaco lowlands is widespread, and the rural mountain population now numbers only 10 million. Poverty is generally moderate in the lower areas but becomes extensive and severe at higher elevations.
The High Altitude Mixed (Central Andean) farming system characterizes a large area in the Central Andes, including the steep valleys of the high Sierra as well as the Altipiano of Southern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile and northern Argentina. However, the rural population is only 9 million, of which three quarters is in Peru. The vast treeless Altipiano is composed of an undissected tableland above 3500 m. The small size of most landholdings, the lack of external inputs, the naturally low productivity typical of high elevation arid land, the widespread erosion of topsoil and the loss of soil fertility, have resulted in endemic poverty and growing out-migration. Poverty and food insecurity are extensive and very severe.
In the SparseForest (Southern Andean) System, the high elevations and low temperatures characteristic of the southern Andes render cultivation generally sub-marginal, but the small rural population obtains a good living from livestock, forestry and tourism. Poverty and food insecurity thus remain low to moderate.
Promising mountain products
Between October 2004 and March 2005, the FAO Mountain Products Programme funded a study for the Prioritization and Preliminary analysis of Strategic Sub-sectors in Peru and Bolivia, which was carried out by the Consortium for Sustainable Development in the Andes Ecoregion (CONDESAN). Using a methodology for the Promotion of Comercially Viable Soulutions to Subsector and Business Constraints, developed by Action for Enterprise, the specialty coffee, cheese and native potatoes sub-sectors were selected, an analysis of constraints or bottlenecks along the supply chains carried out and suggestions for intervention made.
This preliminary study served as a basis to carry out subsequent more in-depth studies of the specialty coffee and cheese sub-sectors in the Cajamarca region of Peru. These studies were funded by the Programme and carried out by Soluciones Practicas (ITDG – Peru).
Field projects
The Programme, in collaboration with Soluciones Practicas, is currently preparing project proposals for support to the specialty coffee and cheese sub-sectors in Cajamarca, Peru. Identified donors include the United Nations Office for Drug and Crime (UNODC) and the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme.
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The definitions of farming systems in mountain areas are adapted from 'Towards a GIS-based analysis of mountain environments and populations' (FAO, 2003). Read more
Farming Systems and Poverty
LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN