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agriculture English News Blog for  Peru English News blog March Archive 

Farmers to trade fish not coca

By Giovanni at 03/19/07 11:04

In Peru farmers are being encouraged to raise a crop of a different kind. Moves are afoot to persuade farmers to raise paiche, a huge, endangered fish known for its flaky meat, instead of the traditional trade in coca leaves.

Original source: Christian Science Monitor. In Peru, a move to get farmers to trade in fish rather than coca

Decision seen as aiding drug traffickers

Heavy criticism has been leveled at the decision by Peru's agriculture minister to temporarily suspend the eradication of coca, the raw ingredient of cocaine, in a major growing region of the country, after protests by farmers.

Original source: International Herald Tribune. Peru agrees to suspend coca eradication in jungle region

Alpacas Catching Bronchits

Due to the colder than normal conditions in the Andean regiion 34% of the region's 233,324 alpaca population has come down with either bronchitis, bronchopneumonia or general malnourishment as grazing areas hae been killed off by bitter cold. A call for an immediate supply of antibiotics and vitamins has been dispatched.

Original source: LivinginPeru.com. 80,000 alpacas affected by severe cold in Apurimac, Peru