Resource information
The Andean region of Puno, known as the
altiplano, is located at 3,830 meters above sea level. The
terrain is prone to flooding, and thus difficult to
cultivate. In order to deal with this situation, Andean
indigenous populations displaced huge amounts of soil in
order to create raised fields that were better adapted to
agricultural use. Raised fields resolved many of the
problems that affect agriculture at high altitude. The
technology combines the rehabilitation of marginal soils,
drainage improvement, increased water storage, more
efficient use of radiant energy, and attenuation of the
effects of frosts. The raised platform allows farmers to
double the depth of topsoil for crops, and provides dry
surfaces in the wet and often flooded lake and river terrain.
