Sacred agricultural recovery
What is it about?
Historically, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco, was an extensive geographical area linked to the initial stretch of the Vilcanota River and its minor tributaries. The Incas transformed it into a key agricultural and ceremonial space, building impressive complexes such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray, in addition to agricultural terraces and irrigation canals. The valley, crossed by the Urubamba River (also known as Vilcanota or Sacred River), was considered sacred because of its fertility and its connection with the Milky Way.
During the colonial era and especially during the republican 20th century, the valley was vital for the production of food, especially corn, potatoes and quinoa. and a fruit production set, such as peaches, tilefish, capulí, goldenberry, and also medicinal herbs.
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas there are beautiful colonial towns that were created, and that at the aforementioned time turned the province of Urubamba and especially its capital, into a beautiful natural resort, where the citizens of the capital Cusco traditionally vacationed.
Today, the aforementioned area suffers the consequences of the introduction of pesticides in agricultural production, the appearance of pests that have been contaminating and extinguishing the fruit wealth, as well as reducing the production areas of the symbolic corn of the Incas. If we add to this the explosive demographic growth of Lima and foreign citizens, we will notice that they have turned their area into a denuclearized town that puts its natural character at risk. In conclusion, its agricultural significance is being lost in the face of modernity.
Operational site
Rural area around the city of Urubamba. Américo Adrade
- Start Dates: Flexible Dates
- Minimum Duration: 4 weeks
- Recommended age: 17 or more
Location
- Region: Cusco
- Province: Urubamba
- District: Urubamba
Reference
The province of Urubamba is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, as we have seen it has a deep historical significance as an important agricultural and religious center of the Inca Empire. In addition, it was recognized as an “Archaeological Province of Peru” due to its numerous Inca architectural complexes. The province is also known for its rich colonial history and its role in the creation of the Republic of Peru.
The Sacred Valley was an agricultural area of vital importance for the Incas, this can be seen by the large amount of agricultural terraces in the existing archaeological remains.
The project is located on the right bank of the Vilcanota River, between the most important population centers of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which are Urubamba and Ollantaytambo (province and district respectively). In this privileged area, ancestral products are grown, mainly corn (especially giant white corn), potatoes (both improved and native), beans, wheat, barley and a fruit variety. In addition, crop rotation and sheep grazing are practiced in the area.
The aforementioned places us in front of the need to recover the sacred tradition of the Incas, through the application and promotion of permaculture that is based on ethical principles, and ecological design that seek to create systems that imitate the patterns and relationships of nature, instead of depending on external inputs and destructive practices. Permaculture seeks to use local resources efficiently, minimize waste and promote self-sufficiency, just as the Incas envisioned.
- Caring for the land, promoting soil health, biodiversity and water conservation.
- Care for people, meeting their basic needs in a fair and equitable manner.
- Reduction based on the mirror effect, the use of chemical inputs and environmental pollution.
- Production of healthy, nutritious and species-diverse food.
- Conservation and use of native seeds and genetic resources.
- Recover and revitalize traditional agriculture with natural and ancestral practices.
- Conserve biodiversity by promoting and enhancing native species and habitat restoration
- Protect people’s health based on food safety.
- Generate new economic opportunities through ecotourism, the sale of local products and the creation of agroforestry systems.
1 Month (4 Weeks), adapting the itinerary to the date of arrival of the volunteer, distributed in the fieldwork and learning of agricultural activities,
Grow kit:
- Tools
- Water Articulation and Distribution Inputs
- Headquarters Staff
- Technical management and monitoring of the Volunteering activity.
- Final report.
- Physical and psychological predisposition for agricultural work.
- Adaptation to the real conditions of local routine life.
- Elementary knowledge of the Spanish language.
- The Volunteer must have traveler’s insurance in order for us to provide the necessary assistance, through our travel assistance providers.
- 3 meals a day.
- Initial and final transportation to and from Cusco headquarters.
- General introduction by staff upon arrival at their project destination.
- Equipment and Materials for Your Project.
- Training, workshops and experiences of the relationship with the project’s headquarters team.
- Supervision/mentoring in your project.
- Control over work schedules.
- Facilitate the volunteer’s own hygiene and cleaning activities.
- Orientation on “Weekend” activities