THE MODERNIZING PROJECT IN MANABÍ’S AGRICULTURE AND THE SPECIFICITIES OF PEASANT FAMILY FARMING
EL PROYECTO MODERNIZADOR EN LA AGRICULTURA DE MANABÍ Y LAS ESPECIFICIDADES DE LA AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR CAMPESINA
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0717-73562026000100515
David Singaña Tapia
Key Words: Agricultural modernization, rural poverty, agroindustry, agroexports, Manabí
Abstract
This study analyzes how the agricultural sector in Manabí, a historical pillar of the economy, is shaped by the corporate food regime. Using descriptive statistics and a survey administered to 52 women members of the AMUCOMT organization, the study shows that the agricultural modernization has been unable to mitigate rural poverty, which reaches levels of up to 82% in the province. Although agricultural activity employs 84% of Manabí’s rural population, deep inequality persists, with 2% of productive units concentrating 26% of the land area. In the particular case of AMUCOMT maize producers, 90.7% of households are unable to meet their basic needs, while the women are compelled to accept technological packages in which 96% depend on chemical fertilizers. The article concludes that integration into agro-industrial chains does not guarantee social well-being, but rather transfers production risks to peasant families and increases their dependence on external inputs.
