Bolivia: Due to rains, two municipalities in La Paz lose at least 40% of their potato production

Potato production in at least two municipalities in the department of La Paz was affected by 30 to 40% due to the heavy rains of recent weeks, according to the Center for Research and Promotion of Peasants (CIPCA). 

“In San Andres de Machaca and Calamarca, in the provinces of Ingavi and Aroma respectively, around 30% to 40% of the water has been lost, with some places more affected and others less affected,” said Freddy Villagomez, director of CIPCA Altiplano, in an interview with Urgente.bo.

At the same time, some communities in San Andrés de Machaca lost up to 100% of their tuber production, mainly in areas with little vegetation and plains. 

Despite the damage, Villagómez said that the productive sector expects the rains to continue until March to guarantee the supply of potatoes, fodder and other foods. 

"There are some problems in some places, but we can still say that it is positive that it is raining at least until March so that there is good production," he added.