Improving llama production in Bolivia

Bolivia is the country with the largest number of llamas in the world. The llamas are part of the life strategy of the poor peasant families in the country. These animals are a means of transport, provide nutrition in the form of meat, manure used as fertiliser and fuel, provide wool for garments and similar articles. Llamas are intimately connected to the culture and cosmovision of the Andean indigenous people and play a central role in many of their rites and celebrations. Therefore, ASAR (Asociación de Servicios Artesanales y Rurales), an NGO, has been developing programmes for improving llama husbandry in six provinces of the Oruro and Cochabamba departments.