The establishment of a commodity chain for guanaco fibre in Mendoza, Argentina

LICHTENSTEIN, G.

Saskatoon

Workshop; UNESCO Chair Launch; 2018

University of Saskatchewan

In 2012 the Argentinean Ministry of Science and Technology (MINCyT) launched a call for proposals targeted at smallholders, for projects aimed at developing the commodity chain for camelid fibre. Public-private Consortiums had to be established in order to apply for the funding from IDB origin and conduct the projects. A Consortium integrated by the National Research Council (CONICET), the National Institute for Industrial Engineering (INTI), Malargue Municipality and the Payun Matru Cooperative was awarded funding to develop technological innovations towards the establishment of a guanaco fibre commodity chain for the benefit of local pastoralists. The Project included the installation of a fibre processing plant in a remote village in NW Argentina. Multiple challenges included the sustainability of the project; the establishment of a fair and transparent market for guanaco fibre; technological challenges, and strengthening the Cooperative in order to turn it into a profitable enterprise as well as a healthy institution.This paper analyses the complexities of projects that aim to link conservation of a CPR with social inclusion and rural development based upon the Payun Matru experience.