The policy strategy for rural development in Ecuador calls for promoting the modernization of the agricultural sector while improving the standard of living of the poor and rural communities. Specifically, the strategy calls for expanding market access, improving private-public partnerships, increasing agricultural investment and promoting sustainable use of resources (Ministry of Agriculture MAG, 2005). Ecuador has been chosen because it presents various degrees of agro-industrialization; while potato has been chosen because it is both a staple crop that is crucial to the food security of many Andean peoples, and because it is a crop that is commonly used in the processing of chips/crisps, fries/chips and other processed foods.

The area of Chimborazo, in particular, presents a high diversity of market channels which would allow an interesting comparison between farmers involved in selling in these various dynamic markets, versus farmers that do not. The project’s interventions in the area mainly take place through specific multi-stakeholder platforms, each of which is organized with the purpose of bringing together farmers, researchers, institutions and other service providers for facilitating access of small farmers to market opportunities with greater value added. A number of institutions participate in the platforms in varying combinations such as local NGOs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research Centre (INIAP), Universities, as well as producers.

The platforms represent a balanced system where different agro-food actors interact with the purpose of improving 'chain governance' whilst facilitating a more equitable access to markets for small producers.

The main focus of the platforms has been on capacity building to improve potato quality and organizational skills and pesticide reduction (through Farmers Field School - FFS and in collaboration with the Ecosalud Project.)

The goals were set to be attained by providing training on the following topics

. Production techniques;
. Pesticides application (reduced and with precautions);
. Fertilizers (when, which ones, how much to use);
. Farmers’ Organization and management.

At a more recent stage, platforms’ activities are moving towards commercialization of potato produce.

A comparison of two groups of farmers (platform participants and non-participants) through a sound treatment sampling would provide significant suggestions on what kind of benefits participants gather, what kind of barriers or strategic situations they face and what the potential is to increase benefits both for their welfare and for the environment.
The project has studied the impact of these selected agro-processing interventions (i.e. platform participation) on small-farmers as well as on identified environmental issues including crop genetic resources and non-harmful use of pesticides.
The methodology includes: i) focus group discussion and key informant interviews; ii) value chain analysis; iii) household survey; iv) analysis of the impact of agro-processing interventions on pesticide use.

 Méthodologie et instruments 

> Value Chain Methodology
> Focus Group Discussions
> Sample Selection
> Encuesta de hogares   
> Codigo de data
> Encuesta de communidad

Outputs

> Potato chain study
> Linking Smallholders to the New Agricultural Economy: An Evaluation of the Plataformas Program in Ecuador

Grupos focales on the plataforma in:
> Tungurahua
> Chimborazo

Reports
 > Project Report
 > Report of activities

Presentations
> Lisfame: Objectives
> Estudio de la cadena de papa
> Lisfame: A program evaluation
> Lisfame: evaluación de programa

Réunions et atelier

Initial workshop
> Entender barreras, elementos positivos y impactos  
> Proyecto FAO/CIP
> Workshop report

Final workshop
> Caso Fortipapa
> Estudio de caso
> Algunos resultados
> Memoria de taller