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Bolivian Quinoa Farmers Face Struggle For Survivial
Peru has overtaken Bolivia as the world's leading exporter of quinoa. Bolivia's quinoa farmers say they're now struggling to make a living as the price of Bolivian quinoa exports has fallen by half over the last year. The crop has been grown in the Andean country for 8,000 years and was a staple part of the diet for Bolivians for centuries.
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Quinoa is one of the best known Bolivian products exported globally.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Bolivian farmers say the price of quinoa has dropped up to 80 percent at local markets.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
The quinoa plant has been grown in Bolivia's altiplano region for 8,000 years.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Harvesting the quinoa crop on a farm in Patacayma, La Paz Bolivia.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Quinoa farmers are also facing environmental challenges. Climate change and El Niño are hitting production levels.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
The quinoa plant needs water to thrive and flourish in Bolivia's altiplano.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Farmers say there has been less rain this year which is affecting their annual production targets.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Climate change is having an impact on the quality of the quinoa produced in the altiplano.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Peru is now the world's main exporter of quinoa overtaking Bolivia for the first time.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Quinoa has been cultivated in Bolivia for 8,000 years.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Bolivia is the birthplace of the super food quinoa which is gluten-free and full of nutrients.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Farmers say the Bolivian government needs to provide more aid to help the ailing industry.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
The value of Bolivian exports of Quinoa has fallen 46 percent in a year
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Fifty percent of Bolivian quinoa is exported to the lucrative U.S. market.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
Farmers fear prices will fall even further and they won't be able to sustain a living.
Photo:Dimitri O'Donnell
