A new rol - the revalorization of native andean crops in the livelohoods of bolivian farmers

Thomas Peter Mygind; Geovana Mercado Ramos; Rosmery Aruquipa

Abstract

This article briefly sums up the research “Ancient Riches- A new role for native Andean crops in the livelihoods of traditional Bolivian farmers”, produced in collaboration with Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivian member organization of the LATINCROP project. The LATINCROP project seeks to conserve a selection of native Andean crops regarded as underutilized. The local traditional smallholder farmers collaborating with LATINCROP play an important role as custodians of the crops targeted by the project. By creating a demand for these crops, LATINCROP strive to provide the farmers with incentives to continue producing the crops, and thereby ensuring their conservation. Within this context, the purpose of the thesis was to evaluate the impact on the livelihoods of the farmers from their participation in the LATINCROP project. The empirical data was collected during a field study in Bolivia, funded by the Danida Travel Grant programme. The data was analysed using a framework combining the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and value chain theory, in order to allow the narratives of the farmers to take centre stage, as well as taking the commercial orientation of the LATINCROP project into account. As the field study was conducted midway through LATINCROP’s four-year period of operation, the goal of the research was to provide LATINCROP with insights and suggestions on how to ensure the continued engagement of the custodian farmers in the project. The analysis showed that LATINCROP had succeeded in establishing social relations and knowledge sharing with the farmers. However, in the long-term, improving the farmers’ Access to market will be crucial to providing them with continued production incentives.