Heifer
has been active with development work in Ecuador since 1954. The trip was
designed as an agroecology field study of Heifer’s community development work
on behalf of small-scale rural farmers there. Agroecology is the sustainable
use and management of natural resource, accomplished by using social, cultural,
economic, political, and ecological methods that work together to achieve
sustainable agriculture production. Heifer is working within an integrated
system of plant and animal production practices to satisfy human food needs,
enhance environmental quality and natural resources and make the most of
on-farm and renewable resources.
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| Heifer northern California volunteers, Heifer country staff,
with banana and cacao farmers of the El Guabo Cooperative near Machala, Ecuador in 2013. |
The visiting Heifer volunteers cast nets with artisanal fisherman on the Ecuadorian coast, explored banana and cacao groves in the tropics, and learned about organic farming practices in a variety of highland locations. In small communities, enterprising local groups of men and women organized in cooperatives are maintaining and, in some cases, reintroducing indigenous food-production methods. They’ve incorporated a whole host of clean, organic, and sustainable farming practices, including using a modest numbers of livestock. They’ve integrated the concepts of companion planting of diverse crops, composting, using plants as ‘living fences’ to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and seed saving to grow and harvest healthier, more attractive produce. The farmers that grow food using these methods, without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, have found that it gives added value to their produce and products in the marketplace.
Heifer International Ecuador employs a development model that values and preserves the contributions of small rural producers seeking to feed their families and maintain economic self-sufficiency. Farmers are encouraged to organize themselves and use Heifer’s resources for training, education and marketing.
Read more about Heifer's work in Ecuador.
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