Sonia Falcone & José Laura Yapita

Sound installation, 2014
Ethnic group: Originating from Bolivia
Language: Aymara
Speaker: José Jesús Laura Yapita

Location: Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina
Level of Extinction: Moderate

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More economic assistance would enhance production

The ancestors always sowed wisely, keeping their produce in large storage spaces. In order to have a good harvest, whether in the hills or on the plains, they took a thorough reading of the weather and of nature. Doing so, did not require big machines or money; all that was necessary was to give importance to or carry out a good reading of the weather and mother earth. Today, industrialized countries use big machines, fertilizers with chemicals for sowing, with no concern for the damage they cause to the eco-system. In this way they also succeed in building big factories with much economic capital. With the technology at their disposal they contaminate the environment, consequently destroying the Pachamama (mother earth). In order to do this, they receive economic assistance from their governments. These same products, technologically produced are sold to their own countries. In Bolivia no sound legislation exists to give full support to the small producer with the legislators in parliament restricting their discussions to ideological matters. Economic aid does not always reach the small producer in order to enhance production. In our lands, the way things are going, there is no longer, nor will there be in the future a good harvest. At this point it would be wise to reflect on other alternatives of production, so that our communities and ayllus might continue to produce.

Hothouse production

In this short report we are going to reflect on ways to build in the altiplano small hothouses in which to produce food. In the altiplano it is no longer possible to produce as before due to climatic changes (frequent frost, drought or excessive rain). Vegetables are difficult to produce, and with this in mind it is important to look for a way out of this problematic situation. For this reason, it would be a good idea to build a large number of hothouses which would make it possible to produce all types of greens and vegetables. It is also necessary to keep in mind that there are several different types of hothouses: the ‘tunnel’ and the semi-elliptical variety. In order to build these hothouses, it is said that a location must be found where there is water, good sunlight and if possible, situated near the home. It is important for it to have two doors, so that not too much humidity is generated. It is necessary to open them in the morning and close them in the evenings, so that they are kept at a mild temperature. The hothouses should not be allowed to be dry. This is because the young seedlings may spoil or die. In order to plant greens a thorough preparation of the earth, using good fertilizer (free of chemicals) is necessary; some five to ten kilos per square meter. After that, clay and sand must be added, so that the soil will be soft.

Translated into English from the translation into Spanish by Prof José Laura Yapita.

Sonia Falcone: * 1965 Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Lives in Mexico.
José Laura Yapita: * 1968 La Paz, Bolivia; lives there.