Guinea pigs in ecological farming

HECOSAN is an ecologically managed farm of 3.8-hectare. It is situated in the Chillón river valley of Peru at an altitude of 750 metres, in an area with a dry temperate climate, high levels of solar radiation, an average annual temperature of 24 °C and with annual rainfall of less than 100 mm per year. At present HECOSAN has 2500 guinea pigs, 200 avocado trees, 100 lucuma trees and 20 producing granadilla plants. The farm also has 100 chickens, 30 ducks, 10 sheep, two heads of cattle and one horse. These closely integrated farm components ensure a sustained economic income over time, help achieving food security and, through the process of nutrient recycling, enhance the stability of the system. The average monthly gross income of HECOSAN is almost US$900.00, a very acceptable figure given its small size. In comparison, local farmers that produce cotton in a conventional way obtain a gross monthly income of US$1024.00, but the costs of the external inputs that they use is high and no lasting value is added to their property.