"This feria will be a first for the valley. Producers, craftsmen, associations, public authorities and private institutions have helped to organise it". This was how Carlos Chuquival summed up the magnificent co-operation that was the hallmark of the first Feria for tourism and economic development. It took place on 23 and 24 August in Chilca, in the southern part of the Mantaro Valley. Carlos is responsible for the town's local economic development and for over three months he was in charge of co-ordinating all the vital forces in the area to ensure that this festival was a success in both economic and human terms.

Agricultural producers wanting to be heard 

Although ferias are a frequent occurrence in the region, this one was marked by a desire for innovation in order to best meet the expectations of the population, which is, for the most part, rural. As Brony Erik Aparco Gala , President of the cultural association for the dezplazados de San Pedro de Tuco [1] explained, the public authorities immediately decided to "involve the displaced producers and craftsmen in the valley" in the organisation of the feria. This was done so that the event was not taken over by local bureaucracy but was run by these peasant workers who, in the 1980s, had fled abductions, attacks, rape and murder by members of the Shining Path. The initial meetings in March aimed at pin-pointing very early on the expectations of the valley's small producers, notably their desire to raise their profile not only with consumers but also with financial institutions and associations. The aim was clear – in the first instance to increase people's awareness of their presence, which would then enable them to sell more.

	Producers from the Mantaro valley are proud to exhibit their products during "their" feria © Romain Ferretti (FdH).

Every fortnight, either in the local premises or in the Chilca Casa de la cultura, each association was heard: they discussed the dates and venue of the feria and the press conferences, the event programme, stand decoration, invitations etc. They were consulted on many different aspects associated with the event. The producers and tradesmen had specific responsibility for spreading the word about the feria by distributing posters, fliers and invitations. Who better than the major players to promote an event in which they are playing a significant role? They sought out their colleagues in the valley to present the feria to them and were often able to rally their support.

A test of paramount importance for obtaining increased responsibility 

However, this co-operation did not prevent friendly competition between the feria exhibitors. The textile craftsmen from Huancavelica, victims of unfair competition by their producer and farming colleagues, had recourse to marketing practices to attract their visitors. They also shared their culinary speciality, chuno pacy con cuy dorado [2], the proof of the positive spirit of cooperation that prevailed during the feria preparations.

The task placed on them by the Chilca municipality is the first step towards assuming greater responsibilities in the organisation of future ferias. As Brony Erik underlined a few days before the start, "with this feria, we want to show that we can assume our responsibilities so that in the future the authorities will have even more confidence in us". And in their opinion, this would take the form of establishing a committee for the next feria. It is true that the producers are aware that they have to play a greater role in the organisation of this event, but they are more than happy with their first participation.  "We now know that you, the producers, the tradesmen, the NGOs and the public authorities must work together to develop local economic activity.