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 Granja Ecológica Ventilla is an ecological farm located in El Alto, near La Paz, Bolivia, at almost 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level in the harsh climate of the Bolivian Altiplano. 

The farm is known for using innovative underground greenhouses called Walipinis—a traditional Aymara technique that uses the natural insulation of the earth to maintain stable temperatures for growing food year-round. 

In this extreme environment—where strong winds, intense sun, and freezing nights make farming very difficult—Walipinis create protected spaces where vegetables and herbs can thrive. 

Today the Ventilla farm operates about 18 Walipini greenhouses, producing leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and aromatic plants that are sold locally and help support nearby communities. 

Beyond food production, the farm serves as a learning center for sustainable agriculture, where agronomists, students, and local farmers study ecological farming methods and climate-resilient agriculture adapted to high-altitude regions. 

Projects like Ventilla demonstrate how simple, low-tech solutions can improve food security, nutrition, and economic opportunities for families living in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Peter Isely is a Swiss agronomist known for his work in sustainable agriculture in the Bolivian Altiplano, particularly through the development of underground greenhouses called Walipinis.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Isely worked with local farmers near El Alto, Bolivia, helping develop ecological farming systems that could survive the extreme conditions of the high Andes—nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level. The region experiences intense sun during the day, freezing temperatures at night, strong winds, and poor soil, making traditional agriculture extremely difficult.

At the Granja Ecológica Ventilla, Isely helped promote the use of Walipini greenhouses, which are built partially underground. By using the natural insulation of the earth and capturing solar heat, these structures create a stable microclimate where vegetables can grow year-round.

This simple but powerful idea has helped many families in the Altiplano:

• grow fresh vegetables year-round
   
• improve food security and nutrition
   
• create local income from produce
   
• learn sustainable ecological farming techniques
   

Today, Walipinis inspired by this work are used in many high-altitude regions around the world and are considered an example of low-tech, climate-resilient agriculture.