Richard Webb: “Mining has had a complementary role to agriculture in Huancavelica”

A recent study by the San Martín de Porres University (USMP) shows that the provinces of Angaraes and Acobamba, in Huancavelica, have experienced an accelerated modernization process that began in the mid-1990s, a moment of recovery after the period of violence. subversive.

The report “The changes in Angaraes and Acobamba, two provinces of Huancavelica”, by researcher Richard Webb, director of the Peruvian Institute of the USMP, reveals that the main engine of development was the advancement of connectivity, the same that was achieved thanks to the construction of highways and roads. This phenomenon only began to become noticeable in the 1990s with the growth of the automobile fleet.

“The road network not only allowed Angaraes and Acobamba to integrate into the economic dynamism of the country, it also allowed the local population to have greater access to some basic needs such as education and health,” explains Webb.

Another actor that has played an important role in the modernization process has been mining. The case of Angaraes is particularly interesting, since, despite having a smaller agricultural area than Acobamba, it presents a greater relative development. This is due to the fact that mining has always been present offering employment and income opportunities to the inhabitants.

“We see that mining has not competed with agriculture, rather they have complemented each other to the extent that most mining workers have been, and until now are, peasants,” adds the economist.

Huancavelica: changes of an administrative nature

In both Angaraes and Acobamba there is a multiplication of governance institutions, such as district municipalities, peasant communities and recently municipalities of populated centers.

This phenomenon would be due to the desire for leadership of the different populations and local leaders, who have become professional and have given rise to local political movements, with the rescue of traditional culture.

Changes in Angaraes and Acobamba

The study will be presented by Dr. Richard Webb on the day Wednesday, November 17 at 6:00 pm, an event via Zoom organized by the Peruvian Institute of the USMP and the University for Andean Development (UDEA) of Huancavelica, associated with the FUNDADES Group.

It will also have a panel made up of Roque Benavides, president of the Buenaventura board of directors, and Mario Huaira, former UDEA teacher. Participation is completely free and open to the general public.