Ecuador 

INVESTMENT PRESENTATION

THE PROPOSAL

Ecuador, a returning participant in the Investment Forum 2023, is committed to fostering economic growth through strategic investments. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative in Ecuador focuses on supporting investments in three key value chains: cocoa, avocado and yellow dragon fruit (pitahaya). Priority intervention areas have been identified in the provinces of Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, and Tungurahua for avocados; Esmeraldas, Manabi, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, and Pichincha for cocoa; Morona Santiago and Manabí for yellow dragon fruit (pitahaya). 

This proposal outlines interventions aimed at improving the conditions of these value chains by enhancing production quality, maximizing yields, creating added value, and improving marketing opportunities to increase income for families. The interventions are designed to benefit various stakeholders, including women and youth.

Poverty

Potential

Efficiency

COMMODITIES AND INTERVENTIONS

COCOA

The cocoa investment proposal consists of three crucial elements aimed at driving growth and sustainability. For a total cost of US$ 47.21 million and reaching 20,000 direct and 74,000 indirect beneficiaries 

• Sustainable technology for increased performance through access to credit for climate-smart technologies and training, implementation of Good Agricultural Practices and linkage with anchor companies. As a result, 20,000 certified and deforestation-free hectares will be reached.
• Cocoa quality enhancement through the adoption of good marketing and post-harvest practices. This intervention involves technology-transfer and capacity development, equipment and updating of 7 collection centers and training of inspectors to verify the developments. Additionally, cocoa farmers will be integrated into a national system of traceability, enhancing the quality of their products.  
• Advancement of circular business practices through innovation aims at promoting R+D+I focused on enhancing circular economy in the cocoa value chain. Byproducts of the chain, such as pulp and husk, will be reintegrated in the chain through innovation. Market trials, incubation and a pilot program will be conducted in order to accelerate the development of innovative sustainable products.

AVOCADO

The investment proposal for avocado encompasses three essential elements:

• Expansion of the production capacity of the avocado chain through the establishment of 6 certified avocado nurseries and the capacitation of nursery workers in grafting techniques and sustainable practices to improve performance. The productive surface is expected to increase from 1500 ha to 3000 ha, while the avocado yield is expected to increase by 88%, expanding production by 325% in 2030.
• Development of a national system of traceability and certifications. This would further increase the competitivity of the chain and facilitate the integration of avocado exports into valuable international markets. This value addition component would benefit 1,024 farmers in 3000 ha.
• Facilitation of specific technician credits for avocado production significantly improving financial access in the region, enhancing the expansion of production and promoting a modernization of operations. Additionally, technology transfer in climate-smart agriculture and good agricultural practices (BPA) will be promoted, further enhancing the sustainability and resilience of the avocado chain.

With a total cost of US$ 26.7 million, this proposal seeks to benefit 4,812 producers and increase their income in US$ 998 monthly per ha.

YELLOW DRAGON FRUIT (PITAHAYA)

The investment proposal for yellow dragon fruit involves two central components targeting productivity increase and sustainability:

• Creation of an agricultural trust focused on the acquisition of sustainable technology and provision of technical assistance for pitahaya production. This component benefits 2,000 pitahaya producers and covers 2,000 ha. Moreover, this initiative promotes good agricultural practices (BPA) enhancing the sustainability and productivity in the pitahaya sector.
• Inclusion in the national system of traceability and certifications will greatly improve the competitivity of the chain and reinforce its quality control and integration in international markets. Additionally, detailed analysis of the environmental impact of the pitahaya's individual production units will be conducted, providing detailed recommendations of improvement and mechanisms of water optimization for individual farms. This initiative will reach more than 3,200 producers covering an extension of 3,000 ha.

A third proposal focused on the agroindustry is being under development.

See the investment plan slide deck presentation from Ecuador for IF 2023 (See Below).

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