To help these vulnerable communities, PRODERN applied a participatory approach to addressed land use planning. Inhabitants carefully mapped their environment to determine where the biggest issues were and where development opportunities could be found.
It showed which meadows had dried up and where soil was exhausted. Then, dried-up lagoons were restored and new ones were installed using ancient water management techniques. It helped inhabitants to raise water levels.
In collaboration with the local authorities of Pilpichaca irrigation systems were built to restore destroyed peatland so alpacas can graze there again.
All of these measures led to more animals per hectare again, to healthier livestock producing better quality meat and wool and to higher incomes for the farmers.