Peru

Project: Agricultural training centre in Cusco

Category: Food Security

 

Where?

Peru is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.This project is located in the area of Cusco in Peru.

 

Why?

Most people think of Peru as a tourist destination. Featuring the famous ‘Lost City of the Incas’ at Machu Picchu, the Cusco region however, is one of the poorest areas in the country. With an overall population of nearly 1.2 million 65% of the people are estimated to be living in poverty, a situation, perpetuated by poor living conditions, ill health and inefficient agricultural methods.

 

What?

ADRA is now building an agricultural training centre (ATC) just outside the central location of Chuquikahuana on the main road from Cusco to Puno. The training centre will serve the four districts of Checacupe, Combapata, Cusipata, and Quiquijana.

 

How?

The centre will teach and illustrate advanced agricultural production systems, better health and nutrition practices, better use of materials for construction, and management of surplus crops for profit purposes. The training centre will enable representatives from private and public institutions to play a part in improving the daily practices and living conditions of the people whom they represent. Training of teachers is important in passing on knowledge. Theoretical and practical courses will be offered to introduce the best organic agro-silvo-pastoral productive system and practices in hygiene, cooking, and construction. The project also has the potential to be extended to include rural tourism, which could become an income-generating element to the facility. The new Agricultural Training Centre has the potential to become a major center of development for the area. The new centre will make a big impact in the area and will permit ADRA to integrate the centre with an approved irrigation project for the area by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

 

Who?

The project is financed by ADRA-UK.

 

When?

The project started on the 1st of August 2009 and will last 12 months