They constructed vast networks of terraces, or andenes, which dramatically reduced soil erosion and managed water runoff in the steep valleys. Storage Facility Type Primary Contents Strategic Purpose Qullqas (Storehouses) Grain, maize, dried potatoes, meat State redistribution and famine relief Yachaywasi (House of Knowledge) Chosen women (Acllas) Production of chicha (ceremonial beer) for state rituals and festivals Crop Diversity and Risk Management The Inca practiced a form of biological diversification that serves as a timeless lesson in risk management.
Inca Food Security Mountain Empire Strategy: How Terraces and Storage Fought Famine
This innovation allowed for multiple growing seasons and provided a crucial buffer against the region’s harsh climate. This centralized stockpile meant that in the event of a local famine, the state could rapidly redistribute food to affected areas, preventing widespread starvation.
Known as waru waru, this system involved creating elevated planting beds separated by narrow canals. The Inca state organized communal labor, known as mita, which was used to build terraces, maintain irrigation canals, and harvest crops.
Inca Food Storage and Terrace Farming for Mountain Food Security
Centralized Storage and Distribution A cornerstone of the Inca state’s power was its control over food storage. This system fostered social cohesion and ensured that large-scale agricultural projects were completed efficiently.
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