Possibilities and difficulties of implementation of commercial proximity circuits. The Chaco Valley Association case: from producer to consumer

Abstract

Ecuador's food sovereignty and security depend, to a large extent, on the production of peasant family agriculture, a productive sector that has been affected by the exclusive agrarian structure, the abandonment of the State, rural depopulation and, more recently, the health crisis caused by covid-19. In this context, it is necessary to identify actions to improve the current situation of productive associations. This will be possible if the intermediation between producers and consumers is reduced, as marketing costs will be lowered, producers' incomes will improve, and consumers will be offered affordable prices. To assess the feasibility of this possibility, analyzed the supply of agricultural products of the Chaco Valley Association, as well as the feasibility of improving the distribution method by applying commercial proximity.