Análisis de la cadena agroproductiva de la Manzana (Malus) en tres provincias de la Sierra-Centro Zona 3

Abstract

The objective of this work was to analyze the apple (Malus Doméstica) production chain in three provinces in the Central Highland zone 3 such as Chimborazo, Tungurahua, and Cotopaxi through a descriptive investigation based on bibliography and field sources to obtain confidential information, allowing determining the current conditions of apple plantations, production, yield per hectare, main varieties, profitability, cost benefit, relationship between producers and traders and the preference of this fruit by the consumer, through the application of surveys to producers of the fruit, to the citizenry as the final consumer, and interviews to wholesalers and retailers of the different markets of the provinces under study, identifying critical points, competitive advantages and understanding the structure and functionality of the chain. These data were vital for the formulation of offensive, defensive, adaptive, and survival strategies aimed at improving and potentiating the agro-productive chain of the apple. The obtained results show plantations with an age between 1 to 100 years, low yields with an average of (1.41Tm / ha). Producers are mostly adults with an average age of 58.91 years, unprofitable production, imports supply more than 85% of domestic consumption, intermediaries with profits of 13.63% to 57.64%, there is a demand that is assured in season. Concluding that the main formulated strategies are to increase the commercial value of the fruit, to promote the culture of collection centers, crop technification, direct marketing to private and public companies or to the final consumer. It is recommended to encourage young farmers to increase the apple production through technical advice, trainings, improvement of varieties.