Andean Roots, Coca, and Grassroots Development in the Bolivian Yungas: Food Sovereignty and Agrarian Change for Native Farmers
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AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Kyle Henry Piispanen for the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology presented on March 11 2011. Title: Andean Roots, Coca, and Grassroots Development in the Bolivian Yungas: Food Sovereignty and Agrarian Change for Native Farmers Abstract approved: Joan E. Gross Since the 1952 Bolivian agrarian reform, farmer unions have sought to establish themselves as producers for regional markets. Development strategies led by the World Bank and IMF have largely jeopardized small farmers, and challenged farmers to meet market demands. At present, a new agrarian revolution is being implemented and is conditioned by objectives, which include land redistribution, food sovereignty, and public food enterprises. This research was conducted in the Yungas region of Bolivia in isolated mountain communities that are part of the established traditional and legal area for coca growing and thus clearly integrated into the world “commodities” market via the illicit cocaine economy. Curiously, many farmers continue to grow crops for local markets, their homes, and organic coca for traditional use. Is this part of a greater movement of revolutionary agrarian policy or concern for food sovereignty in local communities? Under this context, I explore how some individual farmers and farming associations have developed a tradition of growing Andean root crops and their lived experience of their involvement in the associations. Through participant observation and ethnographic interviews with members of two Yungueño community associations and with regional technicians, this study explores how associations and individuals negotiate national and international policy, and NGO activity, in order to create specialty niche markets for native crops. This thesis argues that alternative agricultural development that has focused on coca reduction, export-oriented agriculture, and food security has, to a large extent, been a failure. Rather, local initiatives that focus on ecological coca, food sovereignty, and native crops for local markets taken together are meeting some local development goals. This study provides an opportunity for reframing development theory and expanding the literature on food sovereignty. The concept of the La Paz-El Alto food-shed is used as a tool for exploring the potential of reorienting the moral economy around food in re-creating a more sustainable food system. From the perspectives of an Andean root crop association, I explore particular challenges members face in farming in contested lands of commodity coca production. Associations begin by meeting specialty market needs for ritual uses of specialty Andean crops, and may utilize a variety of assistance programs but are determined to maintain a high level of autonomy. Associations are often cautious in searching for assistance because farmers cannot afford to lose time expanding alternative crops that could be better spent in coca production. Failure is common, and few associations achieve goals of significantly increased incomes. Rather semi-subsistence and diversification along with coca growing provide greater autonomy and sovereignty in practical terms when many of the anticipated national reforms are yet to be seen in these particular Yungueño communities. In addition, I briefly explore with farmers the environmental considerations and perspectives to climate, gardening, biodiversity loss, and the concern about the use of chemical applications. ©Copyright by Kyle Henry Piispanen March 11, 2011 All Rights Reserved Andean Roots, Coca, and Grassroots Development in the Bolivian Yungas: Food Sovereignty and Agrarian Change for Native Farmers By Kyle Henry Piispanen A THESIS Submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Presented March 11, 2011 Commencement June 2011 Master of Arts thesis of Kyle Henry Piispanen Presented on March 11, 2011 APPROVED: Major Professor, representing Applied Anthropology Chair of the Department of Anthropology Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. Kyle Henry Piispanen, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is dedicated to all those that helped me along the way and made the process an adventure. Thanks to all of the farmers of the Yungas, especially those that took the time to talk with me and show me the intricacies of Yungueños agriculture. Dona Theodora who was especially helpful and inviting. She even took the time to help me learn a bit of practical Aymara. I would also like to thank Joan Gross for her guidance on this project and final revisions. Bryan Tilt for his input into the direction of the project. Peter C. Little for his revisions and copy- editing. My parents, Ruth and Willie Piispanen, were great support and encouragement throughout the duration of the project. Hugh Smeltekop was a great friend at Carmen Pampa and mentor in teaching at the UAC, as well he help coordinate my stay in Carmen Pampa. Sarah Mechtenburg, Sarah Purcell, and David Flannery shared a house with me and they provided me with great dinner conversation while in Carmen Pampa. Alison Spedding who was a wealth of insight and inspiration in the field. Stephen Taranto first allowing me to work in food systems in Bolivia. Marolyn Vidaurre for her friendship in Bolivia as well as providing me with an in-depth introduction into the frontiers of the region. Prem Jai Vidaurre for his friendship, and insight into ethnobiology and his knowledge of the projects that I was working with. Efrian for his local insights and motorcycle rides to communities. Last but not least, Johnny and Vicente helped me in the field in San Juan de la Miel. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................1 Bolivia Today...............................................................................................12 The Yungas Area of Bolivia and Coca Farming ......................................14 Context of Research....................................................................................28 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................... 32 PostDevelopment, Political Ecology, and Food Sovereignty .............. 32 Post-Development .......................................................................................32 Political Ecology..........................................................................................37 Food Sovereignty.........................................................................................40 Agrarian Revolution..................................................................................43 La Paz-El Alto Foodshed............................................................................44 Moral Economies and Andean Reciprocity..............................................47 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS AND METHODOLOGIES ........................... 51 Field Research Site......................................................................................51 Methods........................................................................................................54 Data Analysis...............................................................................................55 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS............................................................................. 57 Subject of Study ..........................................................................................57 Coca ..........................................................................................................59 Jamachi’p’eque and Racacha....................................................................65 Development and Agrarian Change in the Yungas .................................70 San Juan de la Miel’s Experience .............................................................75 Minachi’s Experience ...............................................................................79 Frustration with Assistance .......................................................................81 The Strategies for Food Security...............................................................84 Off-Farm Strategies ..................................................................................92 Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty ...................................................93 Pesticides.................................................................................................103 Climate Change.......................................................................................105 ¿Algo MAS?...............................................................................................107 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION .........................................................................110 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION..........................................................................115 Bibliography.......................................................................................................120 Appendix 1..............................................................................................129 Appendix 2..............................................................................................130 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1.1. Wachu Terraces recently planted with coca .....................................1 Figure 1.2. Quilted