Land and Dignity for Bolivian Farmers

Since the beginning of the 1980s, Frères des Hommes and our partner, the Peasant Association of Farmers and Animal-Breeders (CORACA-PROTAL), have worked on rebuilding farming communities in the heart of Bolivia.

Over the course of the 1980s, thousands of Bolivian farmers became desperately poor, due to a lack of farmable land, a drop in the price of agricultural products, and the privatization and modernization of mines.

Weighed down by poverty, these peasants thought their only alternative was living in the slums outside Bolivia’s larger cities, or moving the Chapare region, an area where coca is grown illegally.

Some chose the uncertain option of working as migrant laborers, without any organization or outside support.

Mobilizing to Rebuild Farming Communities

To end this situation, which results in the negative choice between living in poverty and growing drugs, grassroots organizations like our partner, CORACA-PROTAL, helped create the option of participating in a development program called the Ayopaya Project.

The principal goal of this program was to establish communities of farmers on unoccupied and uncultivated farmlands, to give families access to both social recognition and economic resources.

Progressively, from 1988 to 1993, groups made up mostly of young couples, families without land, and former miners with farming backgrounds, created communities on these lands, on the other side of the mountain.

Once in place, everything went into building housing, a school, access to potable water, and access roads. Every family participated actively, contributing everything they could in terms of material and manpower.

Education and Empowerment to Rebuild the Agricultural Economy

The redevelopment of agricultural activity also required a strong effort to effectively distribute and clear land, as well as to start growing crops adapted to local markets and eating habits.

Training and technical assistance were, and still are, set up by our partner organization, in order to allow peasants to optimize their resources, to protect the ecosystem, to manage their production and distribution.

Since the beginning of the Ayopaya Project, the economic revival was spurred on by the production of locoto, a local pepper, in regions where it is an important part of the diet.

Over the years, these communities have multiplied to include the areas of Totolima and Altamachi, covering an area much larger than what the Ayopaya Project originally envisaged. The number of coracas—peasant organizations from the region—has similarly grown.

Peasants from the communities of Quoti Mayo, Carmen Pampa, Maiqa Monte, and San Julian, with which we work, have chosen to join together under the same coraca, in order to collectively sell their agricultural output. They have officially formed PROTAL (Products Totolima Altamachi), which they are responsible for managing.

To respond to market demands, and to consolidate their economic activity under the PROTAL umbrella, the communities have attracted investment of supplies and equipment and have launched the production of honey.

During the period 1998-2000, the purchase of hydroelectric motors and drying ovens for locoto has allowed the farmers to transform it into powder, to improve quality (almost 40% is now organic or semi-organic), and to raise sales by 60% between 2000 and 2001.

Honey production also had significant growth. In 2002, 9 tons were sold, 70% more than in 2001.

Distribution of these products is entirely run by PROTAL, at various distribution sites and a central store, especially created for the farmers’ products.

Diversifying Economic Activity

Since their establishment, the CORACA-PROTAL communities are discussing how best to diversify their economic activity.

In the communities of Quoti Mayo and Carmen Pampa, a new, small-scale agro-tourism business is being set up by families who will serve as hosts for Bolivian and international tourists.

This form of rural and ecological tourism, combining intercultural contact, adventure, and physical challenge is in the preparatory stages. Unfortunately, construction of the tourist welcome centre had to be suspended when a large hailstorm hit the area, which left tens of deaths and led the Bolivian government to declare a state of emergency from mid-June to ??? 2002. “…The 1500 earthen bricks were totally destroyed by the snow. Members of the community were saddened because they could do nothing to stop it. We have decided to suspend construction of the centre in Challa because for now, the wet weather prevents the bricks from sticking together before drying, and thus break.”

Once in place, this alternative tourism should also provide a stimulus for local crafts production, and raise awareness of the Quechua and Aymara Indian cultures, along with regional cuisine.

Honey producers have decided to diversify their production, as well. They will soon receive training from CORACA-PROTAL in order to develop a range of products such as pollen, jelly, and propolis, a honey-based resin.

To date, CORACA-PROTAL, with the support of FDH, allows 225 families to live in dignity. Thanks to community reorganization, a fragile, yet sustainable social and economic fabric has developed. Thanks to this project, these families have been able to fight against the vicious cycle of poverty and gain a certain amount of independence.

Most importantly, in addition to the economic aspects of this farmer-initiated project also brings together social, environmental, agricultural, and cultural concerns, which gives the participants responsibility for all areas of community life.

Sabine Benjamin

CORACA-PROTAL website: http://www.altamachi.org/