Regresar

Environmental characterization and potential zoning for coffee production in the Andes of southern Ecuador

Abstract:

Characterize the environmental conditions for the production of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and describe the potential areas for increased its production is currently requested by the Planning Zone 7 (southern of Ecuador); mainly for certification processes and marketing in international markets. The study was conducted specifically on 70 coffee farms of a small producers association of canton Loja. In the field was collected information of all producers association on topics such as soil sampling, production systems, plantation ages, productivity; for characterization of productive plots. Also, was developed a participatory methodology of potential zoning for planting coffee in relation with the total area of influence (three watersheds with 613.17 km2 of total area). In the environmental characterization was found that 49% of farms are situated on land with colinado relief, with loam soils and in surfaces less than 1 ha. Its average production is low (237 kg/ha/year), with presence of old coffee plantations (> 25 years) in approximately the 75% of the plots. The soils are slightly acid, with medium content of organic matter and total nitrogen, very low phosphorus unlike potassium with high values. For the potential zoning of coffee production four categories was defined: suitable areas 9.54% (6 010.22 ha), moderately suitable areas 46.91% (29 562.71 ha) marginal areas 20.21% (12 737.48 ha) and no suitable areas 3.69% (2 328.10 ha).