The United Nations declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibres to focus world attention on the role that natural fibers play in contributing to food security and poverty alleviation. Alpaca is a natural fiber with superior qualities.
Five reasons why natural fibers are important not only to producers and industry, but to consumers and the environment:
- Natural fibers are a healthy choice
- Natural fibers are a responsible choice
- Natural fibers are a sustainable choice
- Natural fibres are a high-tech choice
- Natural fibers are a fashionable choice
Learn more about the benefits of natural fibers, including alpaca, at the 2009 International Year of Natural Fibres website.
Watch a video about efforts to improve Peruvian alpaca fiber quality & profitability
Alpaca is truly a magnificent fiber, but also works well in blends with other fibers such as angora or merino. Here in Norway, and I guess in many other countries, we see more and more people moving out of the cities and start small-scale farming with several types of animals and create their own little shops.
We should always remember where the alpaca come from, though, and how much these animals mean to them in terms of livelyhood. We now see how the rich part of the world breed better alpacas than they have in Peru, so maybe we can help them keep their livelyhood by sharing our knowledge and bloodlines? Give something back.
Thank you for the reminder that we should give back to the people who domesticated and raised camelids for centuries that we now enjoy and profit from. Two worthy projects that I would recommend giving support to are:
The Nuñoa Project
Quechua Benefit
Thank you for the reminder to support the original people who domesticated and bred camelids for centuries so that we are now able to enjoy and profit from them. Two worthy charities to support include:
The Nuñoa Project
Quechua Benefit