Ponds are not new in Bolivia. In the past, they were associated with large-scale cattle ranches in the lowlands of Santa Cruz. However, traces of traditional ponds are also found all over the semi-dry inter-Andean mountainous region between 1,000 and 3,000 metres. These ponds were simple, mostly used for watering livestock, and usually had a storage capacity of less than 500 m3. They were constructed by individuals or local organisations and remained a local initiative. Many initiatives have contributed to developing farm pond technology in Bolivia. Over time, different stakeholders have come together to scale up this technology. Strong organisation at community level has helped rural people to influence this process.
