Bolivia: Llamas, Quinoa and Andean Food Sovereignty

This is a Food Sovereignty Tour [2]  brought to you by Food First/the Institute for Food and Development Policy in partnership with Global Exchange Reality Tours.

The Bolivian Altiplano—a vast tableland flanked by two Andean mountain ranges—is one of the most remarkable areas of human settlement in the world. Beginning north of Lake Titicaca, the region stretches 500 miles to the South at an average altitude of 13,000 feet. On this tour, you will learn about the agricultural systems that have, and continue to, sustain large populations in this challenging environment. Specifically, you will learn about quinoa and llamas, two products that have been at the heart of Andean food security for centuries. You will travel from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the Southern Altipano to gain a unique lens into the fascinating world of Andean food and agriculture.

The Altiplano gave rise to powerful civilizations, which domesticated numerous crops and animals for sustaining their populations. Potatoes and quinoa—hearty crops perfectly suited to highland farming—were domesticated along the shores of Lake Titicaca.  The American camelid—the llama, alpaca and vicuña—was also domesticated in the Altiplano, providing an essential source of meat, wool, fertilizer and transport. Since these products were associated with indigenous people, however, they received little or no support in Bolivia’s modern development.

By forming strong producers’ associations rooted in indigenous communities, quinoa and llama producers succeeded in overturning racist laws and accessing consumer markets. Llama steak is now available in many Bolivian restaurants, and quinoa can be bought at health food stores throughout the world. However, recent global market forces and climate change have led to a crisis in the quinoa-llama production system. The market pull to increase quinoa production through mechanization has eroded fragile highland soils. The rising price of quinoa has also squeezed out poor consumers, who must turn to cheaper, far less nutritious alternatives such as rice and pasta.

On this tour, you will explore the complex reality of Andean food sovereignty while being immersed in Andean culture and visiting the spectacular landscapes of the Altiplano. This unique delegation is brought to you by Food First in collaboration with La Paz on Foot [3], a Bolivian ecotourism and environmental education company specializing in Andean farming systems. Guided by La Paz on Foot’s expert guides as well as a Food First analyst, you will build solidarity with rural communities, local NGOs and social movements working to build food sovereignty in Bolivia.