Characterization of Subsistence Agriculture. In 13 Rural Parishes in the Canton of Loja, Province of Loja, Ecuador, 2016

Abstract

http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4527681

The research objective was to characterize subsistence agriculture as practiced in 13 rural parishes in the canton and province of Loja. The research sample size was 370 subsistence farmers who received two surveys: (1) to characterize subsistence agriculture and to establish and analyze agricultural qualitative indicators that can lead to improving the farmers’ well-being. The research’s conclusions indicate that the majority of subsistence farmers are aged 50 or older, with education ranging from all years of elementary school to unfinished secondary education, with homes with 4 to 7 members and 1 to 3 children. They practice subsistence agriculture, in dry land and in the traditional fashion; they operate on land with a surface of 0.5 to 1 Ha. They do not use fertilizers, irrigation, agricultural equipment, improved seeds; they do not receive technical or financial assistance. They are not associated with other producers; they receive income from ranging from $100 to $200 without being able to save. On the other hand, among subsistence farmers, well-being has not yet been achieved, since in the great majority of the 28 indicators of this type, the recommended minimum values ​​have not been reached.