Agri-food deficit of Santa Elena Province

Abstract

The development of a country is mainly based on the welfare of its people through a fair redistribution of the income, a higher productivity, and the increase of work opportunities; as such the agricultural sector plays a key role for the economy and nutrition of the people. However, public policies have usually aimed at other sectors such as industry, commerce, and mining. Moreover, poor investments in scientific research, training and transfer of technology and resources contribute to low productivity and limited use of the products offered by agriculture, putting at risk the food sovereignty of the country, a key strategic objective recognized by the Constitution. This situation is even more critical to the provincial level, where provinces, such as Santa Elena, do not have enough and adequate resources to be agri-food self-sufficient and sustainable in the long run. The present study, based on secondary information, analyzes the current situation of agricultural production in the Province of Santa Elena in order to infer about the food sufficiency of its people and the challenges ahead for this province in its quest to reach food sovereignty and a steady development.