Knowledge Sharing Event on “Agrobiodiversity, Cultures and Local Development”. Completion Workshop 18-19 May 2011. Promoted by ACRA and Oxfam Italia funded by IFAD and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. KNOWLEDGE SHARING EVENT ON “ AGROBIODIVERSITY, CULTURES AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT” Completion Workshop 19 May 2011 BRIEF OVERVIEW of ACHIEVEMENTS in ECUADOR

3. FINDINGS Annual production of Quinoa and Amaranth experienced in Cotacachi since the beginning of the project. increase in production sold and the number of farmers more than proportional year by year ( in 2010, total sales amounted approx at. 31.000 USD) BUT, actually the demand at regional level of quinoa and amaranth certified is bigger then the offer. 75 30 80 110 8 h 12 h Amaranth 10-present 25 26 30 56 3,5 h Amaranth 09-10 25 6 14 20 1,2 h Amaranth 08-09 155 90 350 440 35 h 55 h Quinoa 10-present 63 50 230 280 32 h Quinoa 09-10 3 4 0 4 0,5 h Quinoa 08-09 Number of Farmers involved Total production consumed or other destiny (q) Total production sold (q) Total production (q) Area to be planted Area planted Species Year

4. FINDINGS A local association of organic producers of Andean grains was legalized: Mama Murucuna quinoa and amaranth organic producers of Cotacachi members of the association are at present 230 (50% women)

5. FINDINGS Concerning technologies an amaranth threshing machine ( trilladora ), a mill and other small technologies have been provided to producers’ groups in Cotacachi. Along with the introduction of the new technologies training courses have been organized and technical assistance offered (with equal gender participation). Before grain was separated by hand with flails, and was very laborious (20-25 lbs/day) and time consuming. The mechanization of this process (250-350 lbs/day) allows offering the products at a competitive cost on the local markets, creating the condition for a long-term economic sustainability.

6. FINDINGS Representatives of communities have organized and participated to 3 local Festival of Biodiversity , Culture and Andean cuisine,local Fair and Gastronomic Contests visited by around 8.000 tourists (30% international tourists) . An important result in terms of international networking is the signature of a Convivium agreement ratified between UNORCAC and Slow Food .

7. FINDINGS A cooperation agreement has been signed between Oxfam Italia and the Municipality of Cotacachi to join resources for the identification and implementation of a Sustainable Economic Development Plan for Cotacachi focused on identity . Local Municipality is fully involved to promote a strategy for “ production and consumption with identity ”. Is currently on going the definition of the Cotacachi Canton Sustainable Development Plan , in which, for the first time, amaranth and quinoa are among the twenty priority productions to be supported in consideration of the high potentialities. The Government has manifested the interest of supporting Andean cereals included among the eight priority productions of Imbabura Province.