Comparative analysis of livelihood strategies across Aymara communities of the Peruvian and Bolivian Altiplano

Abstract

The goal of this project is to increase the resilience of Altiplano households to deal with climate and markets changes, in systems of income generation and food security of local actors. In order to do that, using sustainable livelihood approach, the project promotes a shared understanding of the ecosystem, the development of livelihood strategies and the management of natural resources based on the perceptions of change and risk of Altiplano households. To accomplish this, the project consisted in three stages. The first stage involved the exchange of information and data collection through questionnaires, participatory workshops, interviews and participant observation of livelihood strategies, local knowledge and practices. The second stage was the analysis of information, and the third is the devolution and incorporation of information into the livelihood practices of local actors. The following presentation identifies and compares the current livelihood strategies of eleven Aymara communities in the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia with respect to the social, economic, political, and environmental conditions, for a better understanding of the Altiplano region, for present and future research and development considerations.