DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES ON FINE FIBRES PRODUCTION IN ARGENTINE SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS. 31 European Fine Fibre Network, Occasional Publication o.6 (1997)

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the fine fibre production from domestic and wild Argentine South American Camelids (ASAC), carried out within a cooperation programme between the Argentine Republic and European Union, started in 1992 and financed by European Commission,- DG 1-, Economic Cooperation Program. The programme has been planned for the following main reasons: the great potential for development of ASAC fine fibre production and genetic resources, the opportunity for the poorest land resources (Puna) to develop alternative livestock production systems, the existence of Argentine projects in the same field (PROMECAD- PROgrama MEjora CAmelidos Domestico- and INTA research activity- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria-), the current low volume of fibre production due to the reduced number of animals reared in Argentina (150,000 heads), the low product valorisation, the lack of marketing knowledge, and the low technological level of fibre processing. The main objectives of the programme have been: 1) to set up a methodology for the genetic improvement of ASAC and for the optimal management of fibre production; 2) to analyse the international market for camelid fibres and to identify new trading opportunities, 3) to study technical, economic and financial problems associated with the commercial exploitation of camelid fibres. Among the benefits resulting from this project, there has been an improvement in the level of cooperation between public and private operators for the development of the sector and the opportunity for the economic valorisation of ASAC fibres, while new possibilities for the commercial cooperation between Europe and Argentina have been identified. Finally, the establishment of a selection flock for ASAC in its indigenous region, has enabled a supply of high quality animals for fine fibre production to the local farmers