Researchers of the “Networks for Agri-Food Transformation” project make first visit to Torotoro, Bolivia

As part of the “Networks for Agri-Food Transformation” project, Rimisp visited Bolivia to meet with its partner, Prosuco. Prosuco and to meet the Torotoro communities participating in the project.

The “Networks for Agribusiness Transformation” project , an initiative supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, seeks to support the sustainable of Canada, seeks to support the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in three rural territories in Latin America (Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico; Alta Verapaz, Guatemala; and Torotoro, Bolivia), contributing to the rescue and enhancement of the agrifood practices being developed by the indigenous and peasant communities of these territories.

The visit lasted five days, from July 24 to 28, where the main objective was to learn first-hand about Prosuco’s work to install the project in Torotoro.

Rodrigo Yáñez, director of Rimisp in Chile and researcher of the project, pointed out that “for us it is very important to see how the objectives we are pursuing are being installed in the different territories, that is, how networks are being generated between communities to value traditional productive and food knowledge, and to discuss innovations to adapt these systems to the pressures of climate change”.

The visit and its activities

The first day was spent in La Paz, with a visit to Prosuco’s offices and a meeting with the project team. On the occasion, progress on key issues for the project was discussed, such as the articulation of various institutional actors and traditional authorities in the territory and the installation of the project’s Territorial Consultative Committee (CTC). Progress on the territorial diagnosis was also presented.

On the second day of the visit, the teams traveled to the town of Torotoro, in the district of Julo, Department of Potosi. After an extensive day of travel, the teams visited the Productive, Tourist and Cultural Fair 2023 to celebrate the traditional feast of Tata Santiago.

On the third day, visits to the communities involved in the project activities began. The day began with a visit to the community of Sucusuma, where a meeting was held to present the project to the new community leadership. In the afternoon, Rimisp and Prosuco teams met with the Territorial Consultative Committee (CTC) at the Torotoro municipality offices.

During the fourth day, visits to communities continued. In addition, a meeting was held with traditional authorities of the Julo District: Wilson Araoz, Deputy Mayor of the Julo District; David Orihuela, General Secretary of Rancho Pampa; Demetria García, General Secretary of Julo Chico; Hilarion Gonzales, General Secretary of Cusicusi.

On the last day of the visit, the teams visited the City of Itas, a rock formation that appears to be a stone citadel, with labyrinths, giant caves and cavities. This is part of the Torotoro National Park, one of the main tourist attractions in the area for its archaeological wealth.

“It was a very good field. It was a privilege to be able to visit such diverse communities in the region. This year we were also able to visit communities in the Sierra Norte of Mexico and in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. In addition, these trips allow us to talk with a very diverse network of actors linked to the Latin American agricultural world, to understand the transformations and challenges facing the region in productive, social, political, institutional and environmental terms,” concluded Rodrigo Yáñez.