‘We need water!’

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Benjamin Vargas, farmer from Tiquipaya (Cochabamba): “The question of water is one of life and death.” swissinfo.ch

Thanks to a new sprinkler system, Benjamin Vargas has enough water. swissinfo.ch

Maria Florentina Arevalo, farmer in Cochabamba: “The drought is killing our plants. We need water!” swissinfo.ch

Water basin in Tiquipaya (Cochabamba) swissinfo.ch

The fortification along the banks of the River Rocha in Cochabamba is designed to prevent flooding during the rainy season. swissinfo.ch

Stay in the countryside with the family, or move to the city? For the younger generations, climate change raises existential questions. swissinfo.ch

The River Caine during the dry period. During the rainy season, the water can flood the entire valley floor. swissinfo.ch

Water scarcity is not the only problem. For irrigation, the farmers of Cochabamba use the badly polluted water of the River Rocha. swissinfo.ch

Pastora Vargas: “We don’t know the consequences of using polluted river water for our crops.” swissinfo.ch

Because of the drought, some farming communities are planting tumbo (passiflora mollisima), a plant that needs little water. swissinfo.ch

The Charcas technical college in Toro Toro (Potosi) is experimenting with plants that are more resistant to climatic stress. swissinfo.ch

Frost and a lack of water have damaged the crops in Cochabamba. swissinfo.ch

Subsistence farming is the norm for Bolivian farmers, who produce mainly for self-sufficiency. swissinfo.ch

Thanks to new irrigation techniques, Judith Gonzales has expanded her output to include flowers. swissinfo.ch

Alpacas, some of Bolivia’s most important livestock, are adapted to the harsh climate of the Andes. swissinfo.ch

Farmers who leave the poor villages of the plateau look for new opportunities in the Bolivian capital, La Paz (pictured), or in the satellite city of El Alto. swissinfo.ch

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Water is an increasingly scarce resource in Bolivia. Switzerland supports rural communities with climate adaptation strategies. Resistant plant varieties, reservoirs and flood protection areas should help the Andean population.

This report was produced as part of En Quête d’AilleursExternal link (Looking Beyond), an exchange programme between journalists from Switzerland and developing countries.