Farming the Aynokas in the Bolivian Altiplano

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Farming the Aynokas in the Bolivian Altiplano

• M. Castelhano AAEC 5024
• Presented 12/04/06

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Aynokas

• Sectors used in managing fallow system, each
  containing hundreds of fields. Three aynokas are
  cultivated at a time, each with a different crop
  mix.

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Altiplano

• Highland area (3000 to 4310 masl) populated
  mostly by indigenous farmers. This area is
  generally considered part of the High Climatic
  Risk Andes, suffering from low rainfall and
  heavy climatic variability.

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Objective

• Model optimal farm management decisions within
  aynokas system.
• Determine further data needed to create more
  accurate model.

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Aynokas Rotation

• First year potatoes
• Second year barley, oats, fava beans (haba
  verde)
• Third year barley
• Fourth through (about) twelfth year fallow

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Data Sources

• PROINPA-
• yield data barley, oats, potatoes, haba verde
• prices potatoes, haba verde, many vegetables
• costs barley, oats
• FAOSTAT-
• yield and price data for all relevant crops
• no data on costs

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Land

• According to CIP
• Most farm holdings are 1 to 3 hectares.
• Three sizes for model
• Small 0.9 Ha
• Medium 3.0 Ha
• Large 4.98 Ha

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Initial Model

• MOTAD model (risk minimizing) based on the Hazell
  and Norton example.
• Use FAO data (13 years, 5 crop activities)
• Start with constraints (not necessary to plant
  all land)

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Results of Initial Model
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Modifications

• Land constraints land is held (to some degree)
  communally. This may be on a use it or lose it
  basis.
• Change to constraints (ensures planting of all
  land)

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Problems with Initial Model

• Devoid of constraints (only using basic land
  constraints)
• Does not account for labor
• on-farm needs
• off-farm opportunities
• On farm consumption needs
• No information on production costs and inputs
• FAO data for Bolivia as a whole, not specific to
  region

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Potential Solutions

• Recalculate revenue expectations using data from
  PROINPA
• Gather more information/data and build more
  constraints

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Additional Info Desired

• Labor- availability of off-farm opportunities has
  affected quinoa plantings (CIP).
• Potential income from leaving farm?
• Losses to farming from decreased labor?
• Some fertilizer is used (mostly manure).
• How much?
• Could increased use increase productivity?

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Additional Info Desired

• Consumption- Most farmers in Altiplano grow
  potatoes for other than commercial use (CIP).
• Do consumption needs affect planting choices?
• Food (potatoes, beans, etc.)
• Fodder
• Plant varieties- potato
• Differences in yields and prices?
• Difference in yield variability?

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Additional Info Desired

• Barley- differences for two different activities
  (second year vs. third)
• Livestock activities- sale of products?
• Quinoa- marketed?