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Community intervention to promote food self-sufficiency: an experience in the Canton of Loja, Ecuador

Abstract:

Poverty damages food security, because family feeding becomes monotonous and unbalanced. Due to poverty families are unable to acquire diverse and quality provisions. This leads to the development of degenerative diseases, which today afflict the current population. The family garden, as an alternative to food self-sufficiency, is an attractive proposal that can contribute to the eradication of the problem, by permanently providing healthy and fresh food for the home and serving as a method of family entrepreneurship. For this reason, this research aims to contribute towards food security for families with limited economic resources in Hoya de Loja (Ecuador), a pioneer program of community training that promotes the implementation and good management of sustainable family gardens. Information was collected to measure the knowledge of participants in food security and sustainable gardens. Then, 50 families (41 effective participants) were trained through theoretical and practical workshops to strengthen their knowledge regarding installation and garden management. Subsequently, they collaborated in the installation and / or improvement of orchards in each of the beneficiary homes. At the end, surveys were conducted to know the level of satisfaction, motivation and commitment of the participants to continue with the proposed activities. As a result, most families are considered to have the knowledge and motivation necessary to manage the gardens independently and sustainably in their homes. The support of this type of activities to strengthen the food security of populations with limited economic resources is considered relevant.