El Alto Urban Agriculture (Solar Greenhouses)
El Alto, Bolivia · Operator: Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de El Alto con apoyo de FAO
Overview
Urban and peri-urban agriculture begun in 1984 in El Alto (about 4,000 m altitude), using FAO-supported solar greenhouses and women-led household gardens to improve food security at high altitude.
Citizen participation
In the harsh high-altitude climate, mostly women and their children grow vegetables organically in solar greenhouses (carpas solares), taking part as household and community producers who support family nutrition and food sovereignty.
Operating model
A public/cooperation model in which FAO support distributes solar greenhouses to vulnerable families, promoting self-sufficient organic production to reduce poverty and child malnutrition.
Impact
Around 81% of urban gardens operate under solar greenhouses, with many families having over a decade of experience; the practice has improved access to fresh vegetables and fruit and contributed to family food security and nutrition.
Land tenure
Solar greenhouses are installed on household and neighbourhood plots, run by families and communities with FAO and municipal support.
Crops
- vegetables
- herbs
Scale
Family gardens of 3–50 m²; ~81% under solar greenhouses; community solar-greenhouse projects underway
Sources(2)
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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