Fernando RUIZ PEYRÉ, Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
Facundo MARTÍN, INCIHUSA-CONICET and Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina
Felix DORN, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Traditional animal production in the Argentinian Andes is characterised by transhumance, a system of seasonal adaptation to the availability of grazing land. This type of farming is deeply embedded in the local culture, and influences the spatial occupation, the settlement structure and the use of natural resources. The seasonal movement of farmers and herds strongly links the lowlands and lower valleys with the highlands and high valleys, that are inaccessible during winter. In so doing, the so called “puesteros” (transhumant farmers) develop a special relationship with space and time, which is very different from that of other rural or urban areas.
Transhumance as a traditional livestock system is currently facing new challenges, including land use changes, rural youth exodus or the competition with other economic activities. Besides that, climate change represents a new uncertainty for the future.
In this paper, we will reflect about current and future challenges for transhumance (both as a farming system and a cultural practice) in western Argentina (south of Mendoza and north of Neuquén) from the sustainable development framework perspective, that means, its influence on the local society, benefits for the economy and environmental impacts.
Mots clés : Transhumance|mountain livestock system|migration|small farmers|Andes
A104965FR