With an investment of $2 million, DHL replaces its combustion vehicles with electric ones in Ecuador

On a national scale, around 57,000 hectares of various crops are certified.

The increase in demand for products of organic origin has motivatedThere 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 Phyto 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 are certified, belonging to 9,051 producersthat supply the local market and also send products to other countries around the world.

The provinces with the highest number of registered farmers areNapo, El Oro, Chimborazo, Esmeraldas and Morona Santiago.Of them, 98% belong to family and peasant agriculture. Furthermore, a point to consider is that they are associated, which allows them to join forces around certification and entry into different markets.

Agrocalidad explained that this entire contingent of producersIt is included in 1,518 products registered as organic.Of this number, about 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.

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

In the same way, the Agency points out,Actions are carried out to establish Santa Elena as the first completely organic province in the country.On the other hand, the regulations for agroecological production are in the process of construction with the participation of all those involved.

In addition, Agrocalidad continues to supervise and control organic certification, to avoid fraud that generates distrust in the destination markets of national organic production.