Alfalfa Production in Puno: Trends and Implications for Agriculture and Livestock Farming

Abstract

This research on alfalfa production in Puno analyzes the transformation of the regional agricultural structure during the last decades, highlighting the strategic role of this crop in the agricultural and livestock contexts. Based on data from the 1996/1997 to 2021/2022 agricultural campaigns, trends are identified such as the increase in the area destined for forage, driven by climate change and migration to mining activities. These changes have generated a shift from traditional crops to more resistant and profitable ones, such as alfalfa, which supports the growing dairy livestock activity. Techniques such as cluster analysis were used to classify districts according to production patterns and the Gompertz model to evaluate technological adoption. On the other hand, based on data from the 2012 National Agricultural Census, three agricultural groups were identified, characterized by levels of specialization and climatic adaptability. Furthermore, a sigmoid pattern was observed in the adoption of alfalfa, with slow initial growth that accelerated in recent years, consolidating it as a key crop. In conclusion, the need for policies that balance sustainability, productivity and resilience to climate and social challenges is highlighted.