sábado, 12 de marzo de 2011

AGRICULTURE IN ECUADOR


Although Ecuador's main economic activity has long been agriculture, only about 11% of the land is arable or under permanent crops, and another 18% is permanent pasture. Throughout the 1970s, agricultural development was neglected because of the emphasis on oil exploitation, and the sector showed negative rates of growth, declining by 5.4% in 1978,2.8% in 1979, and 2% in 1980. During 1985–90, however, agriculture (along with fishing and forestry) showed an average annual increase of 4.8%. Agricultural production had and average annual growth of 1.7% during 1990–2000. Agriculture employed 26.5% of the labor force in 1999 and contributed 11% to GDP in 2000.


The land census of 1974, which covered a much larger area than the previous census of 1954, showed that during the intervening period the number of agricultural units had grown by 172,810. This increase was the result of agrarian reform and colonization, initiated in 1964. Ceilings imposed on the maximum size of holdings ranged from 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of arable land plus 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) for pasture in the Sierra region to 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) plus 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of pasture in the coastal region. The 1975 plans of the Ecuadoran Land Reform and Colonization Institute called for the redistribution of 80,000 hectares (198,000 acres) of land in the coastal region.



Traditionally, agricultural products have included bananas, coffee, tea, rice, sugar, beans, corn, potatoes, and tropical fruit. Exported products of more recent prominence include roses and carnations, strawberries, melons, asparagus, heart of palm, and tomatoes. The major crops of the highlands are corn, barley, wheat, kidney beans, potatoes, horsebeans, peas, and soybeans, all for domestic consumption. Agriculture on the coast is largely oriented toward the export market. Increased acreage and improved yields, as well as the government's price-support program, have caused rapid growth in agriculture. Most of the cacao crop is produced on plantations of 60 hectares (150 acres) or larger, but the more important banana and coffee crops are grown mainly on small landholdings by independent farmers. Banana exports rose from less than 5% of total exports after World War II (1939–45) to 62.2% in 1958; in 1974, they were 10.8%, and in 2001, 17.8% ($828 million). Ecuador is the world's leading banana exporter, selling over 3.5 million tons abroad in 2001. Cacao became a valuable export in the mid-1970s, but low prices and declining harvests had a negative impact on revenues until the early 1980s, when they began to rise again. In 1978 and 1979, coffee brought high export earnings ($281.2 million and $263.1 million, respectively), but with lower world prices, coffee export earnings fell to $106 million in 1981, despite an increase in production. Revenues rose steadily during the 1980s, reaching $290 million in 1986, but fell to $75 million in 1992. Coffee revenues in 2001 amounted to $51 million.



Principal commodities in 1999 (in tons) were sugar, 7,000,000; bananas, 6,392,000; corn, 512,000; plantains, 406,000; palm oil, 171,000; potatoes, 563,000; cocoa beans, 83,000; and coffee, 57,000. The production of paddy rice reached 1,290,000 tons in 1999.



The agricultural sector of the economy presents potential for further development and growth. Crops for domestic consumption, particularly rice, barley, maize, African palm, and potatoes, continue to show growth due to increased area planted and improved yields. Other segments likely to experience growth are nontraditional agricultural products such as flowers, fresh fruit, and vegetables, and processed foods. The government's agricultural policy focuses on integration into the World Trade Organization, import tariffs, and the lack of credit in the agricultural sector.


Agricultural Production and Yields 


By producers (auto- Production includes the quantities of a commodity sold in the market (marketed production) and the quantities consumed or used crop production is based on  consumption). Harvesting losses, threshing losses, and unharvested portions of the crop are not included. The time reference on If it took place. In a number of  the calendar year;  data for any particular crop are reported under the calendar year in which the entire harvest or the bulk ocases, crops assigned by countries to a particular split year may appear under two different calendar years.  include wheat, barley, maize, rye,  refer to the amount of cereals produced in a given country or region each year. Cereals Average production of cereals blended foods.  Data relate to  oats, millet, sorghum, rice, buckwheat, alpiste/canary seed, fonio, quinoa, triticale, wheat flour, and the cereal component of ps harvested for hay, crops  crops harvested for dry grain only.   Mixed grains and buckwheat are included, although the following cereals are excluded: croused for grazing, and crops harvested green for food, feed or silage.Is calculated using national population data for the year specified.  Per capita production of cereals View full technical notes on-line ate  refer to the amount of grain produced per unit of harvested area of cereals in a given country or region each year (i.e. averag Average cereal crop yieldsor cultivated area only;  yield=total p oduction/harvested area).  For cereal crop yields, area data relate to harvested area. Some countries report sownrvested, either because  however, in these countries the sown or cultivated area does not differ significantly in normal years from the area actually hantries, FAO does not directly  practically the whole area sown is harvested or because the area surveys are conducted around the harvest period.  For most coufields are computed from detailed  record yield data but instead divides production data by the area harvested for a particular country and year.  In all cases, yarea and production data expressed in hectares and metric tons.

Covers all root crops grown principally for human consumption, such as cassava, yucca, taro, and  Average production and yield of roots and tubers, and the introductory paragraph above for more  cereal crop yields , production of cereals yams; root crops grown principally for feed are excluded. Average production and yield of pulses, and the introductory paragraph above for more information.  cereal crop yields , production of cereals exclude those used for feed. Refers to the mass of meat in metric tons produced annually in a given country.  Total meat production comprises horse  Average annual meat production ommercial and farm  meat, poultry meat and meat from all other domestic or wild animals such as camels, rabbits, reindeer and game animals.  Both check average dressed carcass  slaughter are included.  Meat production for most species is calculated from multiplying the number of animals slaughtered by test, irrespective of their origin.  weight.  Dressed carcass weights exclude offal and slaughter fats.  Data relate to animals slaughtered within national boundaring 30 September of  Production data were collected mostly through annual FAO surveys to governments. Data have been grouped in 12 month periods end september 2000 are shown  in a given country at any time between 1 October 1999 and 30 Se the years stated in the tables. For example, animals enumerated under the year 2000. 


Carlos ALfredo Torres Duran

C.I.17.467.916

Electronica en Estado Solido

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Ecuador-AGRICULTURE.html

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