Environmental Management Strategies in Kichwa Communities of the Amazon of Ecuador

Abstract

The unemployment of people in the Amazonian communities of Ecuador has increased during the pandemic caused by the Covid-19 disease, mainly from March to August 2020; so, the population has turned its attention to the agricultural sector. This economic sector is specifically directed towards the overexploitation of timber resources and the hunting of animals. This study proposes an Environmental Management Plan for three agricultural farms located in the San Pablo de Ushpayaco parish, Napo, Ecuador, which sell mostly organic products in local markets. The fieldwork included a historical analysis of the sector, the diagnosis of survival strategies, relevant environmental aspects, identification of actors and interests regarding access to resources. As a result of the research, problems of inefficient use of water resources, poor management of land use due to its overexploitation through monoculture practices, absence of practices for sustainable agriculture and livestock, poor crop rotation, low application of organic fertilizers, lack of inputs and resources. Poor agricultural practices have led to low production yields and limited economic profit for farmers. This Environmental Management Plan focuses on the prevention, mitigation, and compensation of the environmental impacts caused by agriculture and thus improving the communities' quality of life in the study case. Poor agricultural practices have led to low production yields and limited economic profit for farmers. Poor agricultural practices have led to low production yields and limited economic profit for farmers. This Environmental Management Plan is focused on the prevention, mitigation and compensation of the environmental impacts caused by agriculture and thus improve the quality of life of the communities in the study case.