Alpaca World Magazine Summer 2005 - Classical MileEnd Alpacas

population is 22,823 alpacas with fi guresfor Chipao where there is the largestpopulation still to be processed.POPULATION OF ALPACAS WITHINPROJECT AMBITDistrictNo. of AlpacasPampachiri 3170Pomacocha 1371Umamarca 352Sañayca 5402Andamarca 6356Larcay 5209Soras 963Chipao ??TOTAL 22,853Despite the rustic nature inwhich these animals are raised they,nevertheless, are the most importantsource of income for families living in themost isolated high altitude communities.Figures produced by the governmentproject PROALPACA suggest that typicallythese families generate 70% of theirincome from the sale of alpacas and theirderivatives and 20% of their income fromLlamas, with only 10% coming from othersources.Typically a family will have between 50and 100 animals. These sleep in simplestone enclosures close to the familyhome at night and are led out to pastureduring the day. A member of the family(usually a woman or child) will follow theanimals during the day as they roam freeand will lead them home at night. WhilstAbove: Detail showing the area ofPeru covered by the activities ofThe Cusichaca Trust.Right: Department map showingproposed tourist circuits.PROJECT STRUCTURETHEMES PROGRAMMES SUB PROGRAMMESAndean Agricultural Systems Traditional Agricultural Infrastructure Restoration of Irrigation SystemsRehabilitation of TerracesManagement of Agricultural SystemsSoil ManagementWater ManagementCrop ManagementAnimal ManagementPasture ManagementAndean Organic AgricultureSocio-Economics Organisation Community ManagementCivil Society and CitizenshipHealth and NutritionBasic SanitationNutritionCommercialisation and MarketingPotential ProductsChains of ProductionPromotion of TourismRegistering Tourist ResourcesPromotion of Tourist CircuitsThe Environment Management of Natural Resources Woodland ManagementFish FarmingWater Resource ManagementNature ConservationNative Flora and FaunaNatural DisastersDisaster Managementin Puno and Arequipa the rearing andbreeding of alpacas is relatively scientifi cin Apurimac and Ayacucho traditionalmethods are still followed. For this reasonalpacas of different races and colours areall kept together and therefore interbreed.Typically the wool is sheared using a kniferather than the special scissors usedelsewhere and wool is rarely selected forquality, normally being sold for low pricesto itinerant merchants. Cusichaca hasbeen working to improve some of thesepractices.Vicuñas are also abundant within theproject area and a potentially valuableresource for the local communities.Almost half of the national population of120,000 vicuñas is found in Ayacuchoand Apurimac. Ayacucho has the largestpopulation of any Department in Peru,with a population of 40,000. PampaGaleras is the District with the greatestnumber but others such as Cabana Surwhich borders Andamarca and Chipaohave even greater potential for populationgrowth.Vicuña wool can be sold at a price ofup to US$600 kg compared with alpacawool which is typically sold by the farmersat around US$2 per pound. This is amassive difference in price. Alpacas andllamas can, however, beAlpaca World Magazine Summer 2005 | 43