Andes Agriculture

The Andes agriculture was very productive during the early civilization and continues to be productive today.

The people use large-scale terracing and irrigation systems. The terraces reshaped many highland valleys, mostly at the Urabamba which is near Cuzco. When the people converted the steep slopes to flat fields, the terraces increased the amount of tillable land. When the Andes climate was warm and dry, the early people built irrigation systems into the terraces. Maize or corn grow very well during the warm season.

The increased production of food was necessary as the population grew. Terracing was used to provide for the growing labor base and freed the people from large loads of work. This freedom allowed the Inca people to focus on specialization in crafts.

The irrigation systems are most important to the coastal desert regions where water is scarce.

Irrigation systems were built by the people prior to conquering the area.

Of the crops produced, maize and beer were the most popular to the Inca. They were a luxury food used during ceremonial occasions.