KEF research proposal

Llamas are still an important cornerstone in supporting the livelihoods of about 95,000 rural families in the High Andes of Peru. Llamas are native to this region and are therefore welladapted to the harsh environmental conditions. Sustainable improvement of livestock production in mountains is challenging and asks for a holistic systematic approach by addressing various aspects of the management simultaneously. Two study areas in the Central Peruvian Andes have been identified where communitybased breeding programs with the aim to improve growth performance of llamas have been started. The objective of this project is to strengthen the production system using different intervention strategies. The management of the breeding program will be further supported. Key elements for a breeding program (selection index and performance test procedures for breeding males) will be developed in a participatory way with farmers. At the same time alternative feeding strategies will be tested and a meat quality assessment will be performed. The project team will closely work together with various stakeholders such as farmers´ groups, representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and local NGOs. As a result, providing llama producers with appropriate and adapted technology may be a key to increase the level of competitiveness and sustainability of their farming systems and reduce migration to urban centers.