Greenhouses in Tiracancha and Patacancha, Cusco

LOCATION: the villages of Tiracancha and Patacancha and surrounding communities, Peru
PROJECT PERIOD: beginning of 2009 - end of 2010
PICTURES: -
DESCRIPTION: The construction of 80 greenhouses for the families of students of the high schools of Tiracancha and Patacancha.

Problem:

Because of the unfavorable climate in the Andes, there is limited agricultural production which is mainly for self-sustenance. The main products are potatoes and grains. There are no other sources of income, so the population can hardly ever buy other products like vegetables. This means that the daily diet of the families is very monotone. This lack of a varied diet and sufficient food (due to frequent failure of harvests) is one of the causes of the high infant mortality and the need for migration to the city.

Solution:

Chakana has been contacted by the dutch-peruvian foundation HoPe to build greenhouses in and around Tiracancha and Patacancha. HoPe has set up high schools in these villages with agrarian education and a greenhouse, in which the students learn about the cultivation of vegetables.
To extend the effects of this agrarian education to the communities of the students, Chakana and HoPe will collaborate to build greenhouses in the communities. The target group consists of the families of the students in the highest years of the schools, around 40 students per school. The population will be trained in the construction of the greenhouse and the ecological production of vegetables. This technical assistance will continue during at least two harvest cycles.

Result:

The families of the 80 students of the high schools in Tiracancha and Patacancha have gained knowledge in the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. This leads to a more varied diet which improves the health situation of mainly the children.

FUNDING: Chakana; Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Association Peru-Holland