Improving the organisation and commercialisation of small coffee and cocoa producers in the Northern Amazon Region of Ecuador

Oswaldo Viteri Salazar and Jesus Ramos-Martin
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Oswaldo Viteri Salazar: Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

No 2012_08, UHE Working papers from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament d'Economia i Història Econòmica, Unitat d'Història Econòmica

Abstract: Coffee and cocoa represent the main sources of income for small farmers in the Northern Amazon Region of Ecuador. The provinces of Orellana and Sucumbios, as border areas, have benefited from investments made by many public and private institutions. Many of the projects carried out in the area have been aimed at energising the production of coffee and cocoa, strengthening the producers’ associations and providing commercialisation infrastructure. Improving the quality of life of this population threatened by poverty and high migration flows mainly from Colombia is a significant challenge. This paper presents research highlighting the importance of associative commercialisation to raising income from coffee and cocoa. The research draws on primary information obtained during field work, and from official information from the Ministry of Agriculture. The study presents an overview of current organisational structures, initiatives of associative commercialisation, stockpiling of infrastructure and ownership regimes, as well as estimates for both ‘robusta’ coffee and national cocoa production and income. The analysis of the main constraints presents different alternatives for the implementation of public land policies. These policies are aimed at mitigating the problems associated with the organisational structure of the producers, with processes of commercialisation and with environmental aspects, among others.

Keywords: Coffee and cocoa production; associative commercialisation; public policies; international cooperation; Ecuador; good living (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D63 D71 O19 P13 P17 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 17 pages
Date: 2012-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr
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