Implications of land use change of carbon soils rich in carbon stocks on women’s livelihood opportunities in

the High Andes of Peru

High Andes of Junin

• Landscapes are dominated by grasslands that constitute the main land use

• Natural reserve and Ramsar site.

• Soils rich in carbon stocks.

• Grazing livestock main livelihood.

• Women responsible for livestock husbandry.

• The better off hhs hold mostly dairy cattle in inherited lands managed privately.

• The poorer hhs hold mostly sheep in communal lands.

• Land use is changing from traditional livestock systems to production of maca.

• Maca, energetic Andean root highly demanded in Asian markets whose cultivation involves serious environmental issues such as GHG emission, soil erosion, burning.

• Need new soils for cultivation and nothing grows in 10 years after harvest.

Land use change

Maca cultivation and post harvest

• Landscape change

• Carbon release

• Private and communal lands presents high rates of leasing for maca cultivation

• Reduced areas for grazing affecting livestock production and contributing to land degradation.

• Maca processing contribute to job creation

Impact

• Women are the permanent residents of the high Andes and main household and farm managers.

• Men, living between farm and cities, are temporary residents of the high Andes. However, their decisions (hidden under household decision) prevails.

• Women and men have equal rights over inherited land and livestock but unequal participation in the decision making regarding land use change.

• Livestock systems are main affected by land use change and by default women and elderly, main highlands residents.

• New job creation by maca processing benefits more men and the youth.

Gender facts

Considerations for NAMA Andes

• Native grasslands/peatlands and grazing livestock as livelihood ensure the carbon sequestration in the high Andes.

• Livestock systems in the high Andes provide more opportunities for economic autonomy for women.

• Land use change due to rapid expansion of the cultivation of maca threatens carbon stocks and contribute to GHG in the high Andes.

• Women must be considered in any mitigation action.

Thanks c.turin@cgiar.org