CAF supports three projects in the area of influence of the Southern Inter-ocean Corridor

(Cusco, September 16, 2008). Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) has approved a total of USD 700,000 in non-reimbursable funds earmarked to support three major production projects to improve the standard of living of the populations in the zone of influence of the Southern Inter-ocean Highway (South American Regional Infrastructure Integration initiative – IIRSA South).

CAF’s director in Peru, Eleonora Silva Pardo, explained that these projects seek to: i) promote the sustainable development of the productive chain of alpaca farmers in Quispicanchis, Cusco; ii) implement good ecotourism practices and encourage conservation of the forest and development of local community production that will permit the consolidation of a buffer zone to the Tambopata National Reserve in the Madre de Diós region; and iii) build up the productive capacities of 100 craftsmen belonging to 100 craftsmen’s associations in the Department of Cusco located in the neighborhood of the road corridor.

The three projects are promoted as part of the Southern Inter-ocean Initiative (iSUR), a Conservation and Sustainable Development Program in the areas surrounding stretches 2 and 3 of the South Inter-ocean Road Corridor sponsored by Conservación Internacional, Pronaturaleza, the Odebrecht Association, and CONIRSA.

Silva Pardo explained that, thanks to the CAF’s Competitiveness Support Program (PAC) and the Americas Fund (FONDAM), a thousand families in 15 communities in the districts of Ocongate and Marcapata will benefit from the pilot project for developing the production management capacities of alpaca farmers in Quispicanchis. This project will be executed over a two-year period in order to genetically improve camelids and boost the local economy so as to raise the standard of living of the inhabitants.

She also said that another 200 families from three native villages and 3,700 commune members from five local communities will benefit from the project to consolidate the buffer zone to the National Tambopata Reserve that will be promoted by CAF’s Department of the Environment and the nongovernment organization Pronaturaleza over a period of 12 months with the purpose of applying good ecotourism practices and developing products that encourage conservation of the forest and development of local community production.

Ecological crafts

Moreover, CAF’s Director mentioned that, in addition, 100 artisans’ families –organized in ten associations- will be trained in the improvement and diversification of high-quality ecological crafts, applying ecological production and fair trade standards. This incentive is promoted by the Odebrecht Association and will have the support of CAF’s Foreign Affairs Office.

“CAF’s support of this project –the execution of which will take 36 months and be overseen by Casa Ecológica and the Machu Picchu Institute- will help the craftsmen to be able to meet quality and productivity standards and also to organize a marketing system that will ensure the sustainability of the project based on the premise of promoting equitable economic opportunities, so allowing the project to be successfully repeated,” he added.

Silva Pardo stressed that the projects approved by CAF are part of a series of initiatives for providing the Southern Inter-ocean Corridor Project with sustainability, complementing the positive impacts on this project with measures aimed at expanding the socio-economic and environmental opportunities for the populations settled within in the corridor’s area of influence.

“What CAF aims to do with these three projects is to add value by seeking alternative employment and sustainable development for the inhabitants living within the radius of action of the South Inter-ocean Highway, allowing them to work in their own towns or villages without the need to migrate to other towns or regions in search of work,” he said.