the Symposium on Wheats for More Tropical Environments - cimmyt

38Wheat Research Efforts in <strong>the</strong>Abapo-Izozog Region of BoliviaJ.E. Abela. CorporacloD Gestora del Proyecto Abapo-Izozog. SantaCruz. BoliviaBolivia produces less than 20% of itswheat needs. as shown in Table 1.Mistaken production policies andconsumption incentives havecontributed to <strong>the</strong> increasing differencebetween <strong>the</strong> demand for wheat and itslocal production, and this unfavorabletrend is continuing (Table 2).Ninety percent of Bolivia's wheat isgrown in <strong>the</strong> traditional wheat-growingareas, located mainly in narrowmountain valleys. The great variety ofmicroclimates in <strong>the</strong>se areas fallbetween <strong>the</strong> follOWing values:• Mean temperature, 11 to 19°C• Rainy season, from December to Maywhen wheat is grownThe potential area for wheat productionis about 150,000 hectares. Today,approximately 60,000 hectares arecultivated; yield is less than 1 Uha.Greater use of inputs, such as fertilizer.herbicides, improved seed and a stablewater supply, could raise yield to over3 Uha. The adoption of this technology,however, is far in <strong>the</strong> future because of<strong>the</strong> high costs of irrigation systems andfertilizer.• Elevation, 1,500 to 3,000 meters• Annual precipitation, 350 to 700 mmTable 1, Wheat production and consumption in Bolivia,1976 to 1980VearProduction(000 tons)Consumption(000 tons)Consumptionlocally produced(0/0)1976197719781979198069.848.056.056.270.0256,3283.1376.9309.1371.62717151819Table 2. Annual growth rates in wheat production and consumption, Bolivia,1950-52 to 1978-80Period Production Imports Consumption Population(0/0) (0/0) (0/0) (0/0)1950-52 to 1958-60 7.87 3.64 4.89 1.911960-62 to 1968·70 0.28 3.88 2.721970-72 to 1978-80 2.43 2.87 3.02 2.091950·52 to 1978·80 2.78 4.39 4.11 1.89