Ecuador registers more than 9,000 organic producers, according to Agrocalidad

Increased demand for organic products has prompted origin There are more and more farmers in the country who are leaning and migrating towards these more environmentally friendly practices.

In fact, according to data from the Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad), in Ecuador this is reflected in the increase in territory dedicated to this type of chemical-free production. At the national level, at the moment, around 57,000 hectares of various crops, belonging to 9,051 producers, are certified that supply the local market and also send products to other countries in the world.

The provinces with the highest number of registered farmers are Napo, El Oro, Chimborazo, Esmeraldas and Morona Santiago. Of these, 98% belong to family and peasant agriculture. In addition, a point to consider is that they are associated, which allows joining efforts around certification and entry into different markets.

Agrocalidad explained that this entire contingent of producers It is included in 1,518 products registered as organic. Of this number, some 257 correspond to banana, cocoa, coffee, fruit and vegetable crops. The rest, that is, 1,261 products, are from the processed segment such as chocolates, snacks, sugar, panela, among others.

Organic production is promoted in the region with virtual conferences

With these data and in view of the growing demand from international markets for this type of product, Agrocalidad, in 2021, developed several initiatives to encourage farmers and ranchers to transition their productions and be certified as organic. On a national scale, 762 people were trained, virtual events were held such as several conferences and the IV Congress with more than 20,000 people reached.

Similarly, the agency said, Actions are carried out to establish Santa Elena as the first totally organic province in the country. On the other hand, the regulations for agroecological production are in the process of being built with the participation of all those involved.

In addition, Agrocalidad continues to carry out supervision and control of organic certification, to avoid fraud that generates distrust in the destination markets of national organic production. (I)