Water resources management and agriculture in Vilcabamba (Peru)

This work aimed to improve the water management for agriculture in Vilcabamba valley in the highlands of South Peru, by applying efficient crop schedules that can satisfy most of the water requirements with rainfed irrigation. Consequently, the crop water requirements during Incas times (16th Century) were reconstructed, and the Inca population of Vitcos was estimated in relation to food production, considering 20 ha of agricultural fields, crop yields, dietary habits, nutrition value of crops and calorie requirements, reaching 365 inhabitants. A land suitability assessment of Vilcabamba valley was carried out to determine whether the Incas site selection was adequate for agricultural activity and defensive potential, concluding that the Incas knew well their environment, selecting Vitcos settlement as a key location within a scarce 8% of highly and moderately suitable land of the overall study area.