Fair Trade
and Community Development

OVERVIEW

79% of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador live in the rural sector, characterized by an increasing feminization of agriculture and poverty. In general, the indigenous peoples of Chimborazo live in a vicious circle perpetuated by material poverty, disenfranchisement, and poor health and nutrition. This has triggered outmigration, which leaves generation gaps and breaks the chain of transmission of wisdom.

People in Caliata have resisted for decades these processes of transformation, preserving their identity, language, knowledge and agrodiversity. In this context, their native crops, heritage varieties, have a genetic, historical, nutritional and environmental value that should be recognized and preserved. The heirloom seeds of Caliata, through fair trade mechanisms, could contribute to the social fabric of the community, creating opportunities so that young people are not forced to migrate to the city

GOAL

Creation of the “Caliata brand” and its added values.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

To achieve the above goal Caliata will need to achieve three objectives: i) obtaining licenses for star products with certification labels that add value (e.g. denomination of origin; fair trade; organic); ii) integration into local and national producer networks (e.g. through community supported agriculture); and iii) creating a commercialization chain based on international fair trade standards and strategic allies.