From the Andes to Madison Avenue, vicuña and guanaco fibre trade and local livelihoods

LICHTENSTEIN , G

Honolulu

Congreso; World Conservation Congress; 2016

UICN

Guanacos and vicuñas have one of the finest and rarest animal fibres, which supply the most exclusive European markets. Although goods made from vicuña fibre are sold at exorbitant prices, local people do not obtain significant economic benefits. The barriers that limit a more equitable distribution of benefits were discussed considering the context (local populations with unfulfilled basic needs, uncertainty about usufruct rights, lack of community representation at international fora), the fibre market (small, closed, distant) and the limited added value at the regional level. Taking lessons from the challenges faced by vicuña managers, a project for incorporating added value for guanaco fibre by a local cooperative is presented. Lessons learnt included the importance of a favourable policy environment aligned with pro-poor policies; the importance of the creation of networks and support groups in the implementation of projects; and that social processes take a lot of time which usually exceeds the time of projects.