Engineering and Technology Quarterly Reviews

Regarding global environmental crisis, the effort of various institutions to reduce hunger have not yet been enough. The dominant model of extensive agro-industry reveals a serious problem of instability, due to the use of agrochemicals and the non-rotation of crops. In this context, the academic community is increasingly interested in alternative agricultural models such as indigenous agriculture. Indigenous communities from the Andes have inherited highly complex agroecological systems whose practices for stability could be replicated in other agricultural models around the world. This qualitative research focuses on the functional and / or spatial relations of the traditional indigenous farms of the Quillacinga ethnic group in southern Colombia and seeks to verify that their practices coincide with what is exposed in authority texts. These relations and their role in the stability of soil fertility are explained through diagrams. The information collected can be expanded and contrasted with other studies on other Andean ethnic groups. These studies would seek to make a contribution to reduce the instability of the extensive agro-industrial model and potentially contribute to reduce hunger in the world.


Background and Relevance
Concerning the global environmental crisis, there are several obstacles to environmental development.One of them is the dominant culture of consumerism and excessive industrialization, promoted by dysfunctional economic policies.(Holmgren, 2015).Despite the growing industrialization processes in food production, it should be noted that in 2011-2013 twelve percent of the world population was not able to meet their minimum dietary requirements, for which it is estimated that one in eight people in the world suffers from chronic hunger, the vast majority live in developing countries (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013).
To solve this problem, the concept of Food Security is important, its four main principles are: availability, access, use and stability (FAO, 2015).However, the aforementioned principle of 'stability' is threatened in the extensive agro-industrial model, due to long-term infertility in the soil caused by the use of agrochemicals and non-rotation of crops.(FAO, 2015).

Theoretical framework
The long-term instability shown by the extensive agro-industrial model has awakened a growing interest in academia to investigate more stable agricultural models such as permaculture or traditional indigenous agriculture, furthermore the efforts of influential countries such as China are currently focused on strengthening their food security, threatened by environmental crises such as climate change (Piao et al., 2010).Within the theoretical framework to carry out this research, first-hand texts from influential authors were considered, as well as publications from international organizations such as the UN and FAO, as can be found in the bibliographic references.However, the main reference text for this work is 'Teoría y Práctica para una Agricultura Sustentable' by the authors Altieri and Nicholls for the United Nations Environment Program.In this text, the authors point out that, in the Andean area and other areas of Latin America, traditional agricultural systems have been developed over centuries of cultural and biological evolution; Furthermore, indigenous peoples have developed or inherited agroecosystems that adapt well to local conditions such as the climate, these systems are highly diversified and are characterized by the following five points: A -Conservation of the genetic diversity of species and of productive continuity.B -Optimal use of space and local resources.C -Recycling of nutrients, waste, water and energy.D -Soil and water conservation.E-Control of the succession and protection of crops.(United Nations, 2000, p. 34).

Primary objective
The primary objective is to verify that the agricultural practices of the Quillacingas ethnic group in the El Encano reservation coincide with the five characteristics of the indigenous agroecological systems of Latin America, previously mentioned.(United Nations, 2000, p. 34).This research focuses on verifying these characteristics exclusively in the aforementioned study area.However, other researchers can take the approach of this work as a guide to verify or analyse these characteristics in any other indigenous community from the Andes.Thus, the obtained results may allow the collection, organization and comparison of valuable information about the diverse agricultural knowledge of the Andean indigenous communities.

Secondary objective
The present work aims to document with a functional / spatial approach the systematic processes of traditional indigenous agriculture in the study area.The foregoing considering that there is a lack of written documentation in English about the great variety of indigenous ethnic groups that inhabit the Andes mountain range, especially about those who live in the specific territory in which this research is carried out.(Deruyttere, 2001).

Definitions and relevant information.
The investigation was carried out in the territory of the Quillacingas ethnic group, specifically in the indigenous reservation of El Encano, which is located around the La Cocha lagoon in the village of El Encano, Municipality of Pasto, department of Nariño, southern Colombia.The Quillacingas have occupied these territories since pre-Hispanic times, they were advanced farmers in different thermal levels, their most important traditional crops are: corn, potatoes and beans (Quijano & García, 2018).Here are some important definitions for understanding the context of the participants.
-Worldview: It is the system of opinions and beliefs that make up the concept of reality for a certain person, society or culture.According to the worldview of the Quillacingas (like many other Andean ethnic groups) the elements of nature, including: plants, animals and humans, are incomplete by themselves, but they are part of a system that complements them mutually.That is, neither is superior or inferior to the other, but rather they are interdependent.
-Chacra: It is the indigenous ancestral farm, where the soil, water, plants, animals, human beings and deities develop and relate affectionately.It promotes scenarios for the protection of natural resources, sustainable production, food security and food sovereignty.In addition, it is developed in a smallholding and protects the ancestral seeds.
-Mindala: It is the exchange of experiences and the exchange of knowledge that contributes to the collective construction of the historical memory of indigenous peoples (FAO, 2013).

Method
The qualitative method was used since the research focuses on a certain indigenous community and its environment.In addition, the triangulation tool was used in the following three scenarios: (1) to compare the information between various texts referenced in the bibliography, (2) to compare the information collected between the three participants and finally (3) to compare the information from the texts (theoretical) with the information collected of the participants (practical).On the other hand, the stages of the research were three: the stage of collecting information in texts, the stage of collecting information from the participants and finally the stage of analysing the collected information.

Stage of collecting information from the participants
Initially, the researcher made contact with one of the leaders of the El Encano indigenous reservation belonging to the Quillacingas ethnic group, the objectives and scope of the investigation were clearly explained to him, it should be clarified that the author of this article belongs to the Sister ethnic group of the Quillacingas, called Los Pastos ethnic group.Considering that the criteria for selecting the participants consisted of selecting examples of Chacras that are representative of traditional indigenous agriculture's customs, participants were identified, they are three families belonging to the reservation.The researcher made a series of visits and interviews aimed at learning about the spatial functioning of these Chacras and obtained maps, written records, photographs, and audio and video recordings.Finally, the information was organized, listed and numbered in tables that contain the elements of the Chacras and their functional and / or spatial relations.

Stage of analysing the collected information
It began by making a comparison of the information collected in the three representative cases, identifying coincidences and differences.Considering that enormous coincidences and insignificant differences were found, it was decided to discard the differences and focus on the coincidences by making unique tables and diagrams that include the information from the three case studies as if they were only one.The information was synthesized and organized taking only the functional and / or spatial relations relevant to the study.Tables, diagrams and illustrations were made to explain these relations, including: location, elements, general diagram, contribution, feeding, environment and food and organic resources.Finally, a comparison was made between the postulates of the information collected in the texts and the results of the information collected from the participants to achieve the objectives of the research.

Location
The Chacras of the three participants (P1, P2 and P3) are surrounding the La Cocha lagoon, which is located in the southwest of Colombia in a highly mountainous area known as the knot of Los Pastos, the lagoon is part of the water system that feeds the Amazon river.Taking into account the large number of streams that flow into the lagoon, it should be noted that all the case studies have important relationships with water.The lagoon has spiritual and landscape importance for this indigenous community.
Scheme 1: Location of Participants around La Cocha Lagoon.

Elements of the Chacra
Unlike extensive monoculture agribusiness, Chacra agriculture is an agroecological polyculture that functions as a system in which many elements are interrelated.Table 1 does not show all its elements, but the most representative ones; These elements are organized in the following categories: plants, animals, buildings, water, community and others.In addition, they are grouped into several subgroups according to their nature in the Chacra, these subgroups are defined as follows: -GROUP A: Plants that, for convenience, are generally planted in the same area, not necessarily all the plants in the group must be present.For example, arracacha can replace potato.
-GROUP B: Plants that attract animals and insects that contribute to pollination and control of unwanted pests.For example, the flowers of the laurel plant attract hummingbirds which contribute to pollination.
-GROUP C: Native plants that were cultivated in pre-Hispanic times and that had been displaced since the colonial period, they are currently in recovery.
-TUBER: Plants whose important stems grow underground.
-AQUATIC: Plants or trees that thrive in high humidity environments.
-INDICATORS: Elements that through their physical manifestations indicate some related natural phenomenon.For example, rocket (Eruca vesicaria) indicates that the soil has a high level of acidity.
-CLIMBING PLANTS: vines, usually grow up on trees.
-WILD: Plants and animals that do not depend on human care.
-DOMESTIC: Animals that depend on human care.

General Organization
According to the worldview of the Quillacingas, the elements of the Chacra, including humans, are not organized according to a vertical hierarchy, in which there are superiors and inferiors.For them, each of the elements of the Chacra has a specific function and has a certain type of with others.(Feeding, Shelter, etc.).It is worth mentioning that the sun and water are elements of spiritual importance (Quijano & García, 2018).
Scheme 2: General organization of a Chacra.

Pollination and contribution
For there to be a contribution and pollination process in crops, the location of the plants in the sowing is a key aspect.Cultivated plants, plants that attract desirable animals, native plants that repel undesirable animals, and native animals that contribute to pollination are mixed in one zone.Consequently, the sowing of the polyculture becomes an agroecological system in which each element has a certain location, function and contributes to others.

Environment
The constructions within the Chacra are located organically, according to their functionality and are connected through trails.Scheme 4 lists four functional and / or spatial relations that exemplify how the environment is arranged in the Chacra: ○ ;1: The family gathers around the traditional stove known as 'Tulpa', around it they eat and talk, it is also the place where they receive friends and neighbours.
○ ;2: The trails are spaces to mobilize and transport products, these also serve for community meetings and bartering with neighbours.
○ ;3: The chickens that are loose throughout the Chacra and whose excrements nourish the soil, take refuge in the dry straw that is placed under the trees wrapped in climbing plants.
○ ;4: The pigsty is made up of dry straw in a wooden shed.When it is washed, the waste that flows into the nearby ditches is filtered by the azolla aquatic plant.

Feeding
The elements of the Chacra feed each other, internally, which means, the food is produced within the same Chacra.The sun and water play a central role in this relationship as they feed the family, trees, animals and plants.The other elements feed each other, for example, native plants feed the cows and guinea pigs which in turn feed the family.

Organic fertilizers and Organic pesticides.
Organic pesticides and fertilizers are made mostly with local ingredients, in scheme 6 their components are specified, the only common ingredients are dry straw and quicklime.On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the relationship of organic fertilizers is cyclical and therefore is sustainable over time (scheme 7).
Scheme 6: Components of Organic Fertilizers and Pesticides.
Scheme 7: Cycle of organic fertilizers.

Discussion
4.1 Meaning of the results.
Considering that the primary objective of the research consisted in verifying in the practices of the participants the five characteristics of the indigenous agroecological systems of Latin America exposed by the authors Altieri and Nichols in the main reference text of this research.It was found that, among the three participants, all meet the five characteristics.
A -Conservation of the genetic diversity of species and of productive continuity.They comply because they use native seeds, their Chacras are polycultures that promote the diversity of seeds and species, and produce food continuously throughout the year.B -Optimal use of space and local resources.They comply with the optimization of space through organic spatial organization and comply with the optimization of local resources through barter and the sustainable use of resources such as wood or wild animals and plants.C -Recycling of nutrients, waste, water and energy.They comply because waste is reused to make natural fertilizers through composting, organic pesticides and the optimal use of water.D -Soil and water conservation.They comply because the Chacras are part of an agroecological system that cares for the soil and water through the non-use of agrochemicals and rest periods for the land.E-Control of the succession and protection of crops.They comply because they practice crop rotation and because different kinds of plants are planted in the same area so that there is a contribution between them to nourish themselves and repel pests (United Nations, 2000, p. 34).
4.2 Review of the method.
The use of the qualitative method, the triangulation tool and the organization of the research in stages was useful to achieve the objective of the research.However, the academic community lacks a generic method that can be used to investigate Andean agriculture regardless of ethnicity and location.This article is unique considering the little information written in English about the agriculture of the Quillacinga ethnic group with a functional / spatial approach.
4.3 Impact of the research.
It is expected that this work can be used as a contribution to the creation of methodological models that allow studying traditional indigenous agriculture with a functional / spatial approach; and that can be used with other ethnic groups from the Andes mountain range.Therefore, the valuable knowledge that these communities keep through oral tradition can be useful to solve the problem of stability as a principle of food security, which is important to reduce famine in the world.(FAO, 2017).

Table 1 :
List of elements of the Chacra.The information in the table was provided by the participants.