La problématique de l'épargne dans l'économie paysanne : cas du canton de Tomina, Bolivie

In the area studied, the peasants constitute a stock of animals as their reserve of savings ; therefore the number of animals rather than their productivity, is important. The overuse of pasture land which results, necessitates the suggestion of alternative forms of saving. The existing forms of saving respond to the very varied technical, economic and social needs of the peasants. Sheep and goats, just like saving money and stocking products, contribute to the reproduction of the production system, while the cattle are used as an "insurance policy", "pension fund", and as a reserve to finance future investments. The study of the way ressouces, distributed between reproduction, accumulation and regulation, permits an understanding of the management of saving in the system. Apart from demonstrating the importance of savings for the reproduction of the farm and for the accumulation, this study orientates the search for alternatives to savings in the form of animals.