The Role of Women in the Alpaca Fibre Value Chain
Written by Jessica Rodriguez
The Breeder: Protector of the Land and Life
The first female actor in the value chain is the breeder. She coordinates the day's work, sends her children to school, releases the animals to pasture, guides the herd to different enclosures to prevent overgrazing, and monitors the animals' health. In addition, she records births, diseases, weights, and fiber colors in a small notebook. The genetic continuity of the herd and the productive sustainability of the Andean ecosystem are in her hands.
For years, training primarily targeted male breeders. However, work with communities revealed that it was women who consistently remained in the area, cared for the animals, and managed the data. They were the silent, true maintainers of the system. This observation led to a change in approach: today, a key strategy for training is to invest in women's education to strengthen the entire production chain.
Governments can promote sustainability through incentives and regulation, while conscious consumers increase demand for responsibly produced animal products. By harmonizing environmental, social, and economic goals, the livestock sector can move towards more sustainable systems that contribute to global food security while respecting planetary boundaries.
The textile industry is experiencing significant growth, indicating an increasing demand for sustainable alpaca products. This makes it imperative for the alpaca sector to rise to the challenge. Research to determine the ecological footprint is the first step on this path.
The Fiber Master: A Skill No Machine Can Replace
Another key actor is the master fiber sorter. This work requires exceptional sensitivity: simply by feeling the fiber between her fingers, the master sorter distinguishes microns, softness, strength, color, and luster. This skill has been passed down from mother to daughter since the 1930s, when girls followed their mothers to collection centers.
This is intangible and invisible, yet crucial knowledge that cannot be digitized or replaced by technology. Today, this craftsmanship faces a great challenge as many young women move away or choose other professions. Therefore, institutions and associations actively train and encourage new master sorters to ensure the preservation of this unique skill globally and the continuation of the tradition of high-quality alpaca fiber.
The Artisan: Creator of Identity
Artisans transform fiber into garments that combine design, technique, and tradition. They use ancestral methods, such as wooden looms, backstrap looms, spinning with a pushka spindle, knitting, crocheting, and intricate intarsia techniques. Each textile carries a deep message: it reflects the colors of the community, the history of the family, the symbolism of Pachamama, and patterns passed down from generation to generation.
Today, many artisans are also entrepreneurs, designers, association leaders, and organizers of fairs and markets. Their work not only generates income but also strengthens the position of alpaca in global markets. Behind every garment that ends up in Paris, New York, or Tokyo is an Andean woman who has spun, woven, or designed it from her home in the highlands.
A Chain Maintained by Women
Women are present in every link of the alpaca value chain:
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In breeding, as decision-makers in productive and economic matters.
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In animal health care, as practitioners of ancestral knowledge and traditional medicine.
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In sorting, as guarantors of quality from its early stages.
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In spinning and weaving, as preservers of millennia-old techniques.
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In entrepreneurship and trade, combining traditional expertise with modern markets.
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In knowledge transfer, as educators of new generations.
When a person wears alpaca clothing, they carry with them the story of a family from the high Andes, the work of a woman as an animal caregiver, the hands that selected the fiber, and the creativity of an artisan who transformed tradition into art.
"Alpaca is not just a fiber; it is a promise of beauty, identity, and dignity that Andean women have maintained for thousands of years."
image copyright: International Alpaca Association, www.aia.org.pe
