During the early 1980´s the Michell Group made an important decision of setting up an alpaca ranch in Puno for improving the alpaca herds as well as educating peasant breeders along Puno.

The Michell plan got off to a good start when it was suddenly interrupted in 1989 by burst of violence. However, understanding the importance of such a project for the group, industry and region, the Michell Group established Mallkini in 1995, the largest alpaca venture in Peru with over 2,000 huacayas and suri alpacas with a genetic foundation based on the best bloodstock found in the Altiplano.

Mallkini has the mission of breeding alpacas, export them worldwide, improve heard, educate breeders and contribute to the community development of the region.

In 1997 Mallkini started a program of carefully selecting and purchasing the best alpacas found in the Sierra. The selection was based on two criteria equally important to our purposes.

First of all as an alpaca textile industrials we are looking for fiber fineness and density. In this regard we believe that by tightening this issue we are making a substantial contribution towards the national clip by means of introducing outstanding heard sires.

Second, we also believe that animal conformation is important not just for the local but also for the international markets. We would like to see in the near future strong and healthy animals covered with pure and fine hair.

These criteria apply for both white and color animals, even though we are concentrating in solid colors.

Our breeding program, designed by Dr. Julio Sumar, is strictly conducted by pen breeding system, which has allowed us to develop a pedigree book.

Our nutrition programs focus on improving the natural grassland with clover and rye grass.This have allowed us to get female alpacas earlier into their reproductive life as well as shortening the weaning period which is unique in the Altiplano.

In the area of research Mallkini is developing various projects with the University of Saskatchewa in east/central Canada. Most of the research has focused on follicular development against different nutrition levels.

Mallkini, as a company, believes it has a social responsibility to perform in more than a few areas. Mallkini has helped Quechua Benefit(click) to provide children dental service to outlying areas.

This year Mallkini's efforts to help people on the Altiplano will be expanded to many more villages and Mallkini will begin working with governmental agencies who focus on the lives of the financially stressed alpaca owners throughout the Puno region.

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