Improving the organisation and commercialisation of small coffee and cocoa producers in the Northern Amazon Region of Ecuador

Coffee and cocoa represent the main sources of income for small farmers in
the Northern Amazon Region of Ecuador. The provinces of Orellana and Sucumbios,
as border areas, have benefited from investments made by many public and private
institutions. Many of the projects carried out in the area have been aimed at energising
the production of coffee and cocoa, strengthening the producers’ associations and
providing commercialisation infrastructure. Improving the quality of life of this
population threatened by poverty and high migration flows mainly from Colombia is a
significant challenge. This paper presents research highlighting the importance of
associative commercialisation to raising income from coffee and cocoa. The research
draws on primary information obtained during field work, and from official information
from the Ministry of Agriculture. The study presents an overview of current
organisational structures, initiatives of associative commercialisation, stockpiling of
infrastructure and ownership regimes, as well as estimates for both ‘robusta’ coffee and
national cocoa production and income. The analysis of the main constraints presents
different alternatives for the implementation of public land policies. These policies are
aimed at mitigating the problems associated with the organisational structure of the
producers, with processes of commercialisation and with environmental aspects,
among others. Read Report