Development of Cayambe communities in Ecuador

(Quito, July 13, 2007).- With the opening of "La Campesina Supermarket," around 30 communities in the Cayambe area will offer from tomorrow their products through the “La Campesina” marketing system. The "La Campesina” Market is one of the results of the Project for Development of Indigenous and Campesino Communities of Cayambe.

"La Campesina" becomes "La Campesina Supermarket" thanks to the efforts of about 150 producers (90% women and 10% campesinos and indigenous people) who market products such as: vegetables, meat, dairy products, honey, free-range eggs, flours, grains, coffee beans, crystallized fruits, etc. The market has the equipment and infrastructure to offer a quality service to producers and consumers. Its main objective is to eliminate the chain of intermediaries between producers and consumers so that producers and consumers receive and pay fair prices for the produce.

Ana Mercedes Botero, head of the CAF External Relations Office, explained that the main aim of the project was to improve the living conditions of at least 800 families in the indigenous and campesino communities in this region by strengthening the organizational and technical capacities of human resources, and developing and promoting agricultural and marketing activities.

The execution of the project was based on three components structured according to the situation of the community, its needs and requirements. The first component developed local human resources through a system of integrated training which reinforced the potential of the population. The second adapted and implemented the productive infrastructure, optimizing the natural resources of the agricultural production units and microenterprises.

The third component focused on developing production systems for family food security, with marketing of production surpluses through adequate infrastructure thanks to a marketing system in which indigenous people and campesinos are guaranteed fair prices for their produce.

This initiative is linked to other similar social responsibility projects promoted by CAF at regional level. The objective of the Local Opportunities Program, which is managed by the CAF External Relations Office, is to generate basic capacities in disadvantaged communities through micro-interventions in the local area to increase their real opportunities for progress.