International Development Grant
Agriculture in the Altiplano
Project Number: CA-3-S064718001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $288,376.00
Start Date: March 04, 2010
End Date: March 28, 2013
Duration: 3.1 years
Project Description
The project aims to reduce hunger and poverty among the Aymara on the Altiplano. It is designed to improve food security and strengthen farmers' capacities to work with ecological local solutions. Project activities aim to increase the capacity of the farmers to improve their yields and income with organic agriculture. Project activities include: exchange visits to other communities; workshops to develop solid and liquid fertilizer; workshops to develop supplemental nutritional blocks for animals; distribution of quinua & cañahua seeds; distribution of potato seeds; Participation of families men and women in fairs in their community to promote bio-diversity and a variety of traditional meals. The project is expected to directly benefit 400 families living in the Ayllu Aransaya. The project values local sustainable and endogenous agricultural practices to reverse a diminishing biodiversity of the indigenous crops. The local partner is AGRUCO a research and development centre created as a part of the Universidad Mayor de San Simon in Cochabamba.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project include: increased biodiversity in potato quinoa and cañahua crops as well as other harvests. Farmers now plant a greater variety of seeds. Crop production is improved through use of organic fertilizers and organic mixes to control insect and disease infestations. The following performance increases were noticed: 83.2% for potatoes 37.8% for oca 43% for quinoa and 12.9% for cañahua. Thanks to this project 180 men and 62 women are trained in the production of organic fertilizers and mineral mixes and their related benefits; 65 women and 201 men are trained in the production of mineral blocks for feeding livestock and their related benefits; 243 small farmers received benefits from the distribution of potato seeds and 160 traditional storage installations were built. Several knowledge exchange trips completed between communities resulted in reciprocal learning opportunities for beneficiaries. The well being of men and women is directly linked to the increase of agricultural production and product quality.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Donor country personnel
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP