Análisis de la pobreza en las comunidades indígenas del sector rural del cantón Otavalo de la provincia de Imbabura durante el período 2020 - 2024

Abstract

Abstract: This research analyzes the persistence of poverty in rural indigenous communities in the Otavalo canton, a structural and multidimensional problem that encompasses not only economic hardship but also social exclusion, limited access to basic services, and the progressive loss of cultural identity. The main objective was to examine these conditions from a cultural, social, and economic perspective to generate proposals that strengthen local development with community relevance. The methodology applied was qualitative with an ethnographic design, conducting semi-structured interviews with leaders of five communities selected for their population and cultural relevance (Peguche, Quinchuqui, Agato, Imbaqui, and Atahualpa). The results revealed high levels of informal employment, precarious health, education, and housing conditions, and the weakening of ancestral knowledge. While local strategies such as crafts and tourism generate social cohesion, they alone cannot overcome the structural conditions of poverty. Therefore, there is a need to implement inclusive public policies that are coordinated with community initiatives, based on strengthening local leadership, intercultural education, and leveraging community assets as a way to break the cycles of exclusion and advance toward sustainable and comprehensive development.