Title : Sustainability assessment of production systems in two communities of Pastaza canton, Ecuadorian amazon
Abstract:
Sustainability is a critical factor in production systems due to its role in environmental conservation. The Amazon region, one of Ecuador's most biodiverse areas, harbors approximately 8% of the world’s species and possesses vast natural resources that require sustainable management. This region has highlighted that the expansion of the agricultural frontier with the consequent destruction of its forests represents the greatest socio-environmental impact on the Amazon region. This situation has allowed the establishment of agricultural systems (livestock and agricultural) that impact natural resources such as vegetation, fauna, and especially the quality and fertility of the soil component through changes in its physical, chemical, and biological properties. In addition, the establishment of agricultural systems (livestock and agricultural) impacts natural resources such as vegetation, fauna, and especially the quality and fertility of the soil component through changes in its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Within the framework of the project entitled: "Implementation of a Technological Innovation System in Agricultural Production in the Province of Pastaza", the objective is to evaluate the sustainability of farms with agricultural management systems, through a methodological proposal adapted to Amazonian conditions and that considers indicators in its four dimensions (environmental, sociocultural, economic, political). The research was carried out in the parishes of El Triunfo and Teniente Hugo Ortiz, located in Pastaza Canton, Pastaza Province, Ecuador. In each parish, 10% of the total agricultural production units (UPAs) dedicated to permanent and transitory crops were selected in collaboration with local associations and communities. These UPAs were chosen as model units to represent the region's agricultural dynamics and support its productive development. Seven production units were selected from two indigenous-mestizo communities (Allishungo and El Esfuerzo 2). The Methodology to Evaluate Sustainability in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (MESRAE) was employed. The collection and processing of the information included the following stages: a) Collection and quantification of environmental, socio-cultural, economic, political indicators and critical points of the agricultural production units; b) Determination of the systemic model of the agricultural production units and c) Obtaining the index and sustainability class of the agricultural production units. With the application of this methodology, the 7 UPAs were typified in terms of sustainability, and the systemic model, potentialities, and critical points were obtained as key elements to advance towards the construction of a sustainable management model. Results indicate that the selected communities exhibit a moderate level of sustainability. The dimensions with less attention and less prioritization have been the economic, socio-cultural, and political dimensions. One of the strongest dimensions in the communities was the environmental dimension, which can be used as a reference for replication in other communities to improve production processes; however, it is necessary to implement agricultural innovation practices to optimize the levels of sustainability found in the indicators.
