Ecuador: agriculture, guinea pigs and female empowerment

20-08-2021

‘My name is Alicia Chadan. Thanks to this project, I have received individualized and group training from Humana technicians for the diversification of production and management of good agricultural practices.'

Alicia is one of the 250 people involved in the project ‘Increasing the production capacity of guinea pigs with a value chain approach of 250 indigenous farmers from Quisapincha, Tungurahua’, co-financed by AECID. The project is being implemented by Humana and its local partner in Ecuador, the Fundación Humana Pueblo a Pueblo.

‘The Foundation has also given workshops with a gender perspective, on economic empowerment, rights and autonomy of women. I have also participated in activities to exchange experiences between women producers within the popular and solidarity economy. Humana is helping with the construction of the guinea pig slaughterhouse. I am very grateful for all of it. '

The construction of this slaughterhouse has recently started, after obtaining the corresponding permits. The first works carried out include earthworks on the available plot. These first works have been possible thanks to the support of the local administration.

From the beginning it has been an exciting project and a wonderful opportunity to improve the living conditions of the communities involved and the local economy as a whole. It consists of organizing and optimizing the production of guinea pigs, a rodent appreciated in the Andean areas for its meat. The project, launched in 2019, concludes this year 2021.

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