Eddie Pesántez is the current Vice Minister of Agricultural Productive Development of Ecuador. His career as a technician, consultant, advisor and manager of companies and organizations attests to his leadership and knowledge of the livestock sector. The main objective has been to honor small and medium producers with a commitment to sustainable production and the promotion of actions that benefit the country.

We invite you to learn a bit more about the challenges, and the support provided to farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through an interview conducted with Vice Minister Eddie Pesántez.

• How has the COVID 19 health emergency affected Ecuadorian agriculture?

  The agricultural sector of the country is part of a food production chain that has not stopped operating. However, some productive sectors have been more affected by the health emergency. Bananas, pitahaya and flowers have suffered a decline in recent months, since that they are export items and the pandemic has also impacted international markets.

  The main difficulties for small and medium-sized farmers involve marketing and logistics. This is due to the quality parameters imposed by the emergency, which require producers to comply with Good Production Practices with their crops in order to guarantee the safety of the food produced, given the concern of the population about consuming reliable products.

  The closure of 50% of the shops (stores, fairs, markets) has caused serious difficulties for marketing chains, which has obligated the sector to increase its storage capacity and seek new market channels to ensure that its production reaches the consumer in a timely manner.

  2. How do you think COVID 19 affects producers in remote areas such as the Amazon?

  The global health emergency affects the country and an important region such as the Amazon by causing interruptions in the supply chain of raw materials and inputs that are used in agricultural production. An example is logistical problems that reduced access to animal feed, increasing costs and affecting productivity. To some extent, limitations and restrictions on transportation during the quarantine limited productive capacity and made it difficult to access markets at the national and international level for selling products.

  How has the National Government supported producers during COVID 19?

  The main support to producers during COVID 19 involved the designation of agriculture and livestock as a STRATEGIC SECTOR, which, without a doubt, has opened a range of facilities for the producer.

  Ban Ecuador

  Public banks have created immediate loans that are serviced in a maximum of five days, for amounts of up to USD 1 million, as working capital for production chains.

  BanEcuador implemented a moratorium on the payment obligations of its clients during March, April and May. Uncollected interest will be spread over twelve months, beginning in June, and capital will be distributed up to the end of the load period.

  Protocol of recommendations for the agricultural sector

  A “Protocol of Recommendations for the Agricultural Sector” was issued through Resolution 039, by the Agency for Regulation and Control of Plant and Animal Health with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) to maintain agriculture as the most relevant sector in this crisis due to its provision of food products for Ecuadorians. The Protocol of Recommendations for the Agricultural Sector will allow a well-articulated and specific Contingency plan to be developed, so that agricultural producers and rural inhabitants will informed and prepared to deal with an extreme, massive health event, based on integrated planning by several regional organizations, services and stakeholders linked to Agriculture.

  The Protocol also includes guidelines for avoiding Covid-19 contagion in fairs and commercial spaces, or through food; these are key regulations to maintain food safety and guarantee its safe consumption.

  Farm Products Kits

  Agricultural products were donated by producers’ organizations from surrounding areas in several provinces of Ecuador to people from vulnerable sectors with limited resources. (Ex: DDA of Cañar)

  Sustainable Supply Ecuador Program

  The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock launched the Sustainable Supply Ecuador program, which offers Ecuadorian families the necessary tools to supply their homes with food, beverages, and basic necessities.

  In coordination with the Federation of Fruit Growers of Northern Ecuador (Fedefrunor) and Cervecería Nacional, MAG completed the first shipment of fruits and vegetables through the “Sustainable Supply Ecuador” program.

  Food baskets – AgroTiendas

  Between the start of the health emergency on March 17 and todays’ date, more than 15 thousand baskets of agricultural products have been sold, benefiting more than 43 thousand people from several provinces who receive the products in their homes.

  These deliveries include food from producers that apply Good Agricultural Practices, which is grown safely, ensuring quality and good nutrition for consumers.

  International Coordination

  In other activities, we are consulting with other Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas to agree on biosecurity strategies to maintain the supply and sale of products.

  Along these same lines, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Xavier Lazo Guerrero, spoke at the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) meeting held on April 22, where he urged the participants to maintain: “… greater international cooperation, and strive to obtain financing with soft conditions for producers.”

  
  
• During COVID 19, where do you think it is important to focus investments?

  Investments should be focused on productive development programs, training processes, and protocols and procedures that ensure healthy and safe food for the population. By certifying producers with Good Agricultural and Livestock Practices, it is possible to guarantee that products are handled according to certain quality standards.

  Investments will also be focused on encouraging Modern Cooperativism, a program to promote Rural Associative Enterprises (EMARs), under a cooperative economy scheme. Efforts will continue to support youth and women in the rural sector through institutional strategies that allow better management and administration of resources.

• Although markets are well supplied, export and mobility restrictions could harm countries’ food security. What do you recommend to activate marketing?

  Although it is true that Ecuador has the capacity to produce and supply its population with all the products in the basic basket, it is also true that compliance with biosafety protocols must be guaranteed in all areas involving export, in order to overcome logistical problems for marketing those products in other countries.

  Cooperativism should also be promoted among producers to reduce production costs and strengthen the competitiveness of farmers. The Government should focus its efforts on consolidated groups to support the marketing of their products. We also need to support the Peasant Family Farm producers’ sector, so that they can specialize in marketing differentiated products with special characteristics, such as: organic, agroecological, with designation of origin, with gender identification, according to current market trends.