According to the Minister of Agriculture, Eduardo Izaguirre, in these two years the Ministry had to face countless crises, from strikes, the war in Ukraine, bird flu, informality in the banana sector, to the very structure of the production sectors and the complexity of base-management relations. Izaguirre assures that the crusade in the Ministry focused on the formalization of various sectors. One of the issues that most worried this ministry was the issue of bananas, and within this sector the threat of Fusarium race 4, an informality used only by the leadership, he says. A good effect against bird flu has been achieved and it is possible to contract agriculture insurance in preparation, considering the imminent phenomenon of El Niño. Marketing, associativity, modernization and technology and inter-ministry.

What were the policy challenges and outcomes for Fusarium R4?

The fusarium problem is complex and it is interesting that it has not entered Ecuador, even though it has infected neighbors. We installed phytosanitary barriers. When I was Undersecretary of Musaceae we were already looking for prevention measures and plans to deal with it in the event of an infestation. For this reason, we work on microbiology with our fungal antagonists. These are microorganisms that are sown in the soil. It is like immunizing the soil with this type of biol.

Looking for Fusarium resistant banana plants sourced from Australia?

We are testing banana varieties resistant to Fusarium. There is a laboratory that develops formosan. However, we need to analyze if it adapts to the climate and if the productivity levels are equal to the current ones, if the taste and consistency of the pulp is the same as we have now. They are now in production at the commercial testing level. I think by December 2023 we could be ready for larger scale testing.

What will happen to the banana law that was in the process?

I think that the new convocation of the Assembly will take this into account again. There was an important scope in the law to combat the abuse of mediation. The problem is that there is a catalyst for mediation, which is informality. On the other hand, when there is a contract, that is, a formality, the manufacturer sells to the exporter and the contract specifies a minimum price ($6.50 per box). This contract allows you to ask the seller or buyer if they have not met the conditions.

How did the formalization, that is, the signing of the contract go?

There are people who are interested in continuing informality. They even threatened mobilizations, with which 1,300 producers would arrive in Quito, but only a few of them arrived. Thus, the leaders who accepted that formalization was the solution, among them the president of Fenabe, Franklin Torres, did not sign the contract in the end, but encouraged the producers not to sign it. Even former MP Darwin Pereira led these anti-formalization initiatives. But we did not come to fight, but to work, we will not fall into that perverse game. In the law, we also proposed that the modality place.

How would the option work? place?

We are not in favor of abolishing the official price, we were actually thinking of putting an apartment, for small ones. But if they have more production, they can play 50% at the same time. stains and 50% on the official price. Of course, with a contract and a sworn statement for the record.

Is the signing of the contracts that you promote welcome, how many have been signed?

More than 2,000 contracts were signed, which represents 58% of the fruit. That’s not a big number, because it’s in the same range as the previous year. there has always been a market stains, outside the contract. At the center of the market chain are the “Cuperos”, they are unscrupulous traders who propose to buy from the informal producer at a low price, for example $4 per box, and sell to the exporter, also at a lower price ($5). ) rather than official. And during the break they earn the difference ($1). There is also buying and selling of codes. The only way to control this is through a contract. With the contract with the banana ‘cuperos’ we send them flying. We will try to open the banana chain by the last day we are here.

What are the results of the submitted report on the existence of 20,000 fictitious hectares of bananas and the issuance of 104 falsified ship plans?

About 20,000 hectares, after we submitted a report to the prosecutor’s office and previously opened an investigation, no information can be provided. Clearly, that’s how it worked for several years. Files are open for 104 plans and we are investigating shipping plans that are not consistent. Also, since last year, we have been constantly auditing exporters.

And about bird flu?

I am very happy, we are an international example. These days, he is our delegate at the congress of the World Organization for Animal Health in Paris and recounts the experiences of Ecuador in controlling bird flu. Vaccination of 6 million birds was achieved in a model that went from the source of infection outwards. We are in the seventh week without new epidemics. Now we will save those who have lost everything.

What does this help consist of?

We have the equipment ready, we have birds, food, biosecurity supplies so they can produce again, always concentrating on the smallest, those with up to 20,000 birds. The subsidy is 100% and goes to whom it is formalized.

The El Niño phenomenon is coming, one of the worst in history, what measures are being taken to prevent it?

There are two levels to this theme. Infrastructure, in which mayors and prefects have influence. On the second level, we mapped the most critical areas, especially for agriculture. We submitted the data to each mayor’s office. There is a 75% certainty that El Niño is coming, and there are other complicating factors: 2 degrees warmer than normal has been recorded. Another aggravating factor is that so far the rains have already exceeded the levels of the worst El Niño phenomena of 1984 and 1998. We also see the El Niño current coming directly towards us. In the project we are trying to approve, planting must begin on July 1st. If it is planted and El Niño destroys everything, there is insurance in the package (to be delivered) that includes a refund that is from the insurance and no more from the state. The state subsidizes only part of the premium. We calculate that the state would pay 1.2 million dollars for 27,000 ha. which we calculated between partial and total. The main affected provinces would be Guayas, Manabí and Los Ríos, and the main crops to be protected are rice, cocoa and maize.

What else are you planning for the remaining six months of the Government?

We want to leave as a legacy centers for agricultural production development of the community. It is an infrastructure program that is built from associations. For example, an association with 20 to 30 partners gives 1×30 loans and builds. In addition to production facilities, they have a medical center, a space for telecommunications, for training. In these spaces, among others, SMEs, Šecap can work, the state becomes a tenant.

How many will you make in this remaining time?

I would like to make 200, but 70 is approved in the dairy chain and we are coming up with a banana theme. For example, the export banana processing center in El Carmen. We might manage to do 10 before we leave. Most of the centers will be in the north-central Sierra region, as this is where the highest levels of child malnutrition and poverty are found. If this succeeds, we will leave a clear example of how to develop rural areas with the presence of the state, without state interference.