Incan Agriculture
by: Ayinde Summey
Domestication of Animals
There were only two main animals the Incas domesticated. Those were Llamas and Alpacas which were used as pack animals and wool for clothing production. Other animals that were domesticated were ducks and guinea pigs which were for food.
Crops
The most important crop that was grown was maize, more commonly known as corn. Maize was used to make corn beer or chicha, which is what the Incas called it. Chicha was drank regularly and for religious ceremonies. Potatoes or quinoa were grown and were a good source of protein. Beans, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chili Peppers, Avocados, and Peanuts were grown spanning from Inca living in high and low altitudes.
Non-Edible Crops
Even-though Coca was a non-edible crop, it was chewed with lime to keep colds and fatigue away. Cotton and gourds were grown too.
Fishing
Since the Inca weren't exactly a people known to live near water, fishing wasn't that popular. However Inca living near the Pacific fished fish and shellfish, which were given to the king as a delicacy. Inca living near lake Titicaca fished there and used fish to pay tribute to the Inca.
Agriculture Benefits
Agriculture helped the Inca mainly by feeding the people. It also showed respect to the king by having special food given to him such as fish which was already explained. People also used agriculture to pay tribute to the community as a whole.