Alpaca mortality would rise to 50% next year due to lack of rain

The lack of rain in the high Andean areas of the country has put the alpaca sector. The drought is disappearing natural sources of water and affecting the production of forage that is vital in feeding these animals. According to Fredy Quispe Idmepresident of the Peruvian Society of Registered Alpacas (ASPAR), this has resulted in an increase in the mortality of the camelids.

According to the leader, The mortality rate of alpacas to date is around 10%but this figure would increase exponentially in 2024. “If the rains do not occur, it is estimated that it will reach 50%”, he commented to La República. He adds that the crisis will worsen between June and August of next year, mainly in Puno, Apurímac and Huancavelica.

Alpaca breeding is carried out following ancestral methods of collecting water resources; However, the climate crisis makes it impossible for ranchers to subsist solely on these practices. “In recent years it has been seen that the water bodies are disappearing and that worries the future of animal production and breeding,” Quispe emphasizes. For this reason, they are now demanding that the Government take measures aimed at them.

First of all, they request the Stateallocate financing for the construction and storage of water resources, identifying specific areas for the creation of reservoirs. Also, a budget is being sought to implement subsoil water extraction practices.

Another crucial demand is the creation of agricultural insurance for alpaqueros or the replacement of animals lost due to weather factors. “This would help us in some way to maintain the number of animals we have so as not to lose 50% of our production,” says the president of the Peruvian Alpaca Society. He adds that the lack of financial support limits the ability of producers to implement effective solutions.

Quispe indicates that these proposals were already presented to the executive two years ago; However, so far they have not received a positive response.

Finally, the ASPAR representative highlights that lack of action would result in the impact of around 80,000 families nationwide are dedicated to raising alpacas.