Andean agriculture is one of the best examples of the adaptation and knowledge of farmers to their environment for more than 5000 years. Actual presence of indigenous agricultural knowledge includes terraces, ridges fields, local irrigation systems and traditional agricultural tools, crops and livestock spread at different altitudes.

Millennia of experience and selection have led to the domestication of a number of endemic species such as potatoes and quinoa. This knowledge includes three main agricultural systems, each one related to their respective altitude: maize crops (2800-3300 m.), potato crops (3,300-3800 m.) and the livestock area with high altitude crops such as quinua, cañihua (3,800-4500 m.). For each altitude, native selected crops are cultivated.

The indigenous communities in this site are very well organized and maintain their own norms and cultural rituals such as the tribute to the Pachamama (mother earth) leading to sustainable practices but also to solidarity. Indeed, identity strengthening is probably one of the main goals developed through agriculture.

These areas maintain most of the ancient traditional agricultural technologies in the area. However, issues such as a migrating youth to the cities, lead to a severe loss of knowledge and biodiversity.