Waru Waru

The waru waru are an ancient practice of the ancestors of the Tiahuanaco culture, which was located on the plateau between Bolivia and Peru, above 4000 meters above sea level. n. m. It consists of an agricultural infrastructure that modifies the relief of the land by building elevated embankments on the original surface, interspersing channels to form the embankments, thereby achieving the interaction of the elements soil - water - climate - plant - man. It is especially used in areas with restrictions for agriculture, due to poor drainage, temporary waterlogging problems, frequent frosts and low potential for agricultural activity. Embankments are generally 4 to 10 m wide by 10 to 100 m long, and 0.5 to 1 m high. They are built with the earth excavated from the canals and have a similar size and depth, to form a platform or “bed” surrounded by water where the planting is carried out. This water around the waru waru creates a microclimate that mitigates the effect of frost, making the development of crops possible. The water in the canals, which absorbs the sun's heat during the day and radiates at night, helps protect crops from frost. The more fields are farmed this way, the greater the effect on the environment. The sediments in the channels have algae rich in nitrogen and remains of plants and animals, which are then used as a source of nutrients for crops, improving agricultural performance in the highland area.