AGROECOSISTEMAS PASTORILES DE ALTA MONTAÑA EN LA PUNA DE JUJUY (SURIPUJIO, YAVI)
Project Facts
INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Research - Argentina) & UNSa (Nationa University of Salta, Argentina)
Mariana Quiroga
Case overview/description
This study aimed to evaluate the ecological and socio-economic sustainability of the agro-pastoralists in arid high mountain, and discuss the claim that Puna is at risk of desertification through overgrazing caused by the use of natural grassland.
We have characterized the pastoral practice of peasants in the Puna of Jujuy, as a result of historical and social processes, and we have explored the effect of the disturbance caused by grazing on the structure and function of native vegetation. The results show that pastoral agroecosystems of the Puna have been formed along an economic history marked by the exaction of labor from the community and socio-political changes that generate the gradual abandonment of old techniques of utilization of the space-temporary heterogeneity of landscape. The inter-community and social web maintain its role as a buffer on the impact of economic downturns, but there is a gradual abandonment of pastoral “puestos”, a reduction of herds and an increase of family income relative to extrapredial activities and transfers from the state. The vegetation shows no structural or functional changes in response to different forms of grazing pressure. We discussed a model of States and Transitions to find significance of possible risk of threats to ecosystem resilience and resistance. It is based here that pastoral practices Suripujio manage spatiotemporal variability of native vegetation in a sustainably way.
The main land owner is the provincial state, or collective (aboriginal communities) land. There is the National Constitution (Tha Main Law of the Argentine State) that recognizes the pre-existence of aboriginal people, so, there are many steps to demonstrate the ownership and then, aboriginal communities should be recognized as land owner. The burocracie makes it very difficult, but it works.
Flocks of minor ruminants (sheeps and goats) with daily vigilance by a woman shepherd (average 300 - 500); camelidae (llamas) that are supervised every 3 o 4 days (50-150); many cows (4-10), donkeys (4-6).
Auto consumation, local markets of meat, wool and cheese.
There are some products that could be good saled in touristic centers near the main roads. Scarce pulbic policies for these kind of producers.
Suripujio community, 110 people.
Etnography and applied ecology
Outcome/ Beneficiaries/ Issues
puting in value the healthy and natural products (meat, fiber, milk)
Puting in value the role of traditional shepherds, their ancient knowledges, improving self-esteem.
Discussing the idea that de pastoralists are the responsible of desertification proceses
it was made a contribution directed to improve the comprehension of the techniques and knowledges to cope with the altitude deserts of Latinamerica.
The main problem are: the scarce water, the precarious land tenure; the absecnce of specific public policies; the unformal markets.
There are a lot of resasons that could explain why the things are done as they are done. We have to undestrand better, and then build in a participative way, the new proposals (to have more water, more grass or forrage, slaughteries, etc.)
Technical proposal to cope with the plurianual droughts. It would be necessary to request ancient technical solutions and new techincal proposals, to build up new participatory ones.
desertification; ancient knowledges