In just over a year and a half of the government, three ministers passed through the portfolio of agriculture and animal husbandry: Tanlly Vera, Pedro Álava and Bernardo Manzano. The latter resigned on February 14, after nine months in office from May 4, 2022, and it is not yet known who will be the fourth leader of that state secretary.

The name of the now former official is mentioned in the information published by the digital media Post, on the basis of an archived police report, in the sense that to enter the state portfolio he submitted his CV to Rubén Cherres, who was labeled as the operator who pulled the strings for the appointment of ministers. Manzano believed that “despite the falsity” of the digital media’s claims, it was “prudent to step aside” in order to avoid damaging the Government’s image.

Bernardo Manzano is leaving the Ministry of Agriculture because of the contradictions about how he came to office

Manzano’s departure is already causing reactions in the agricultural and export sectors, which are concerned about the state of the processes discussed with the former minister and his work team on various fronts.

For example, the banana sector recently discussed with Manzano and his team a mechanism to increase the number of signing contracts for the export of fruit, to strengthen biosecurity measures to prevent entry Fusarium daza 4 in the country, a scourge that is already present in Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, importation of new varieties resistant to the fungus; and other mid- and long-term issues such as changing the Unibanano system and reforming the Banana Law.

Richard Salazar, executive director of the Ecuadorian Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), lamented the instability facing the ministry’s authorities and assured that the sector had fairly direct communication with the minister and his associates.

“It is worrying for us that a state department like the Ministry of Agriculture has so much instability, the process has already started, with different ministers, not only the last one; but in relation to Minister Manzano we have indeed made quite good progress in relation to various issues, including the importation of tolerant varieties for Fusarium race 4″, said Salazar, who added that on the external issue, they are also working with Manzano to report on the country’s progress in complying with the minimum wage, other vital work issues for the Green Pact.

The head of Acorbanec confirmed that they are also working on reforms to the Banana Law and looking for mechanisms to prevent bananas from staying in Ecuador and being able to go to different destinations, among other things.

Salazar revealed that the sector’s concern is that the new minister replacing Manzano will make a “clean slate” and have to go back to zero on issues where progress has already been made.

Franklin Torres, president of the Ecuador Banana Federation (Fenabe), agrees with Salazar in regretting Manzano’s resignation, which surprised them last Tuesday afternoon.

The leader is also worried that the progress made with the outgoing minister will be lost with the arrival of the new government.

Bernardo Manzano: We met with Rubén Cherres on several occasions, none since I was Minister of Agriculture

“With all the differences and similarities with former Minister Manzano, I think he managed to put out the fire that was on the Ecuadorian farm of President Lasso,” said Torres, who added that the instability in the ministry only benefits speculators “and there are plenty of banana deals” , he added.

While the manufacturing sector has a clear profile of who should take the position of minister. Torres hopes that the new government will be independent and will defend the payment of a fair price for agricultural products.

Another sector that has advanced in recent months in talks with Manzano and his team has been the poultry industry following the declaration of a phytosanitary emergency due to the emergence of bird flu in late November 2022.

Marisol Molina, executive director of the Egg Producers’ Union (Uniproh), indicated that even for this Thursday, February 16, progress is planned in the arrival of the bird flu vaccine.

“The issue of vaccines, which will arrive on Thursday and we are working on that issue, so I think we will continue, we will still try to see if we can coordinate those issues with Patricio Almeida, the director of Agrocalidad, and find out what the current situation is with the departure of the minister.

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary for Agricultural Development, Eduardo Izaguirre, also ruled on Manzano’s departure.

“Thank you, Bernardo Manzano, it was an honor to work for what we love most, the fields. Very grateful to the government of President Guillermo Lasso,” he announced on his Twitter.