Caracterización y evaluación de la sustentabilidad de fincas de pequeños productores cafetaleros en Chinchipe y Palanda, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: This research was carried out in the cantons of Palanda and Chinchipe belonging to the Ecuadorian Amazonian province of Zamora Chinchipe. The results of the comparisons between coffee farmers associated with ACRIM or APECAP versus the independent coffee growers of both cantons are shown. The properties of small coffee producers were characterized and the sustainability of their farms was calculated through the use of indicators based on the methodology by Sarandón and Flores (2009). The field information was collected to calculate the economic, ecological and social dimensions. The results show that the coffee growers' economy is deficient due to the low yield of coffee, low sales income and diversified products from the farm. They present deficiencies of basic services and in the productive system, in spite of this the peasants interviewed do not wish to abandon their agricultural and coffee activity.