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THE FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL CENTRES AND FARMER ORGANIZATIONS OF COASTAL ECUADOR

VOLUME 1 NEWSLETTER MARCH

LA SEMILLA:Sowing the Seeds

of Food Sovereignty

www.soyorganico.org ECUADOR info@soyorganico.org

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Letter from the EditorsLA

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The Federation: Who Are They? .................................................................................... 2

Ecuador: A Brief Overview ............................................................................................. 3

The Work of the Federation ........................................................................................... 4

Profile of the President .................................................................................................. 5

Defining the Terms ......................................................................................................... 6

Farmer Profiles ............................................................................................................... 7

This Years Highlights ..................................................................................................... 8

Contact Information ....................................................................................................... 9

This issue’s Contents:

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the biannual Federation Newsletter La Semilla. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Federation and some of the themes to be covered in this edition.

As you will learn in the following pages, the Federation has been working and advocating for food sovereignty and alternative agriculture for small farmers in Ecuador for over 10 years. Formally named the Federación de Centros Agrícolas y Organizaciones Campesinas del Litoral (Federation of Agricultural Centres and Farmer Organizations of Coastal Ecuador), we have – for obvious reasons – decided to shorten their name to simply, The Federation, for this newsletter.

In the following pages you will find more information about the Federation’s history, mission, current projects and members. Combined, this provides an introduction to the food sovereignty work being done in Ecuador through the organization. This newsletter has been written, edited and organized entirely through volunteer labour from English speaking volunteers associated with the Federation in

Guayaquil, Ecuador. Reflecting the wishes of current President Richard Intriago, this newsletter is meant to reach audiences otherwise inaccessible to those working in the Federation; namely, English speaking audiences in the food sovereignty solidarity movements.

To those ends, our primary intention with this newsletter is to reach a broader group of food sovereignty activists and sympathizers to demonstrate how the Federation has been supporting the struggles of small farmers in Ecuador. Like many involved in the food sovereignty movement around the world, Richard believes strongly in the importance and power of solidarity among like-minded persons, and welcomes the readership and interest from all parties in the vast and diverse international movement.

On behalf of the Federation we thank you for reading, and encourage you to be in touch with any questions or comments through the contact information available at the end of the newsletter. Please help us spread the word of the Federation by forwarding this Newsletter to anyone you think might be interested.

Warm regards,

Marianne Pemberton and Emma Wright

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Coastal Ecuador is a tropical and sub tropical region that has suffered for many years from the destructive practices of monoculture plantations created to export crops such as banana, cacao, coffee, and cane sugar among others. This agricultural system has been detrimental and has challenged the life of the campesinos (farmers), particularly in regards to soil rejuvenation, the saving of seeds, and foremost the recuperation of agricultural biodiversity. These problems have been accompanied by the concentration of land in the hands of a few, unjust market prices for small farmers, forced land grabs, and the exploitation of the labour of the very farmers who once owned the land but who now farm it for the benefit of others.

The Federation of Agricultural Centres and Farmer Organizations of Coastal Ecuador was formed in 2003. It is made up of small farmer organizations and its purpose is to fight for the interests of small-scale farmers. The Federation believes in an alternative agriculture; an agriculture free from toxins and pesticides and free from the dependent cycles created by industrial agriculture and the companies that profit from its toxic system. It promotes the well-being of family farmers and their independence from large-scale landowners and producers who form the vast majority of members in the Agricultural Chambers of Ecuador. These large-scale producers have utilized and manipulated their positions

for decades in order to guarantee that their economic interests are served.

The Federation has achieved a lot in the face of such invasive challenges. Many small farmers have become self-sufficient in their production, increased their economic incomes, diversified their crops and incorporated organic practices into their systems of production, but the struggle continues and there is still much to do.

Our Mission1.- Strengthen agroecologial and organic practices

among campesinos in coastal Ecuador.2.- Contribute to the ever-present struggle for the emancipation of small-scale campesinos from the

power of agro-industry and large landowners.

The Federation: Who Are They?History and Mission

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Left: The Federationat the Cochabamba Summit in Bolivia.

Right: Youth planting in their school garden with the Agroecolocos.

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Ecuador: a Brief OverviewThe Place, the People, and their StoryBy Emma Wright

Ecuador is a small country in South America bordering the Pacific Ocean to the west, Colombia to the north and Peru to the southeast. It is biologically and culturally diverse, containing four distinct regions: Amazon, Andes, Coast, and Galapagos. It is 256,370 sq. kilometers, about the size of Colorado State in the U.S. (Ecuador Explorer), and has a population of 13,481,424 people (2008 World Development Indicators).

Like many countries in Latin America and the "Global South” Ecuador has been plagued by political turmoil, foreign interests, corruption, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) policies and debt, and the global corporate capitalist class. The country has been severely affected by the Green Revolution and monoculture production. It has witnessed the concentration of land in the hands of a few and the slow deterioration of the independent family farm due to the rise in price of agricultural i n p u t s , i n c re a s e d e nv i ro n m e n t a l degradation and health problems caused by the overwhelming infusion of chemicals into the agricultural process at all levels of production.

In spite of these barriers, Ecuador has been characterized by a history of popular struggle led by the country's indigenous movement (CONAIE). The movement ’s s t reng th reached i t s culmination during the 1990s in reaction

to destructive economic policies and political corruption. In 1990 CONAIE led a powerful uprising that dramatically placed the struggle for indigenous rights at the centre of public consciousness, although this struggle mainly took place in Sierran and Amazonian communities. In the coastal region the rural areas are characterized by its Montubio population; generations of campesinos native to the area. Montubios have historically had a strong voice in the national and regional scene regarding agricultural politics particularly because their land base has been home to the largest monoculture transformation in the country (the coastal lowlands). The majority of the members of the Federation self-identify as Montubio and utilize their historical and cultural ties to make claims on their right to land and food sovereignty.

Agriculture has long been an important aspect of Ecuador’s history, although fluctuating in its form throughout the years. It makes up approximately 6.3% (2003, Central Bank of Ecuador) of the GDP, while the two leading contributors have become Oil and foreign remittances. Key cash crops throughout the years include bananas (Ecuador was once the #1 exporter worldwide), cacao, coffee, and sugar cane. Other crops produced for national consumption include rice, potatoes, beans, corn, yucca, along with a plethora of other fruits and vegetables.

In January 2007 President Rafael Correa took office after a sweeping victory based on his anti-corruption and social reform platform. He declared Ecuador's national debt illegitimate and succeeded in re-negotiating the re-payment structure, refused to renew the lease of the U.S.'s military base in Manta, and began the process of re-writing the constitution.

Many saw and still see much hope in Correa's presidency while others (such as CONAIE) are increasingly critical of his re source ex t rac t ion po l i c i e s and confrontational politics.

Despite one’s personal opinion of Correa, one key legacy that he will leave behind is the new Ecuadorian constitution. Among other key characteristics, such as rights granted to nature, the new constitution makes Ecuador the first country to enshrine food sovereignty as a national goal. This process has led to the creation of the Food Sovereignty Organic law proposed in 2008 and the creation of the national board on food sovereignty. The board is made up of 8 representatives who are responsible for the construction of the laws needed in order to develop, strengthen, and achieve food sovereignty in E c u a d o r. R i c h a r d I n t r i a g o , t h e Federation’s president, is one of the board’s acting members.

Al though the re a re many roadblocks in the path to achieving food sovereignty, such as a lack of national awareness and corporate interests, the constitution is an important milestone and symbol for the world. It exemplifies Ecuador’s struggle for food sovereignty and shows why it is such an important place to consider within the global food movement. Ecuador is a country attempting to make profound changes to its political and social structures and is ripe with the opportunity to push the food sovereignty agenda. The Federation is committed to the completion of the food sovereignty laws and will remain a constant voice in the struggle to promote the movement’s fight to free campesinos from the clutches of corporate agriculture in order to achieve food sovereignty for their families, communities and the world.

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Protests against the large landowners in the Canton of Daule of the province of Guayas.

More than 90 organizations signed a declaration claiming 2010 as the year of Food Sovereignty in Ecuador. This was carried out with the intention to strengthen the law-making process that had already begun.

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The Federation has developed a series of projects in relation to alternative agriculture and social change, and has been part of numerous events, demonstrations, and public policy initiatives. Some of their activities include:

‣ They prepare biofertilizers, compost, and worm beds with families from 3 different provinces along the coast of Ecuador.

‣ They organize and participate in various events, seminars, summits, and national and international congresses in relation to agroecology, organic agriculture, genetically modified food, mother earth, food sovereignty, etc, in countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru.

‣ They have led popular demonstrations against the public and private institutions that affect the farming sector and the food sovereignty of Ecuador.

‣ They have intervened in public politics, participated in the elaboration of the 2008 constitution of Ecuador, and are currently participating in the discussion and drafting of the laws regarding food sovereignty.

‣ They have developed various alternative means of communication, such as the Campo Verde Newspaper, and the national television show VOCES, which both have increased knowledge of the work and advances of the campesinos in regards to organic agriculture.

‣ With the cooperation and aid of Cuban doctors, the Federation has provided medical care for 1600 farmers with vision problems.

‣ They have developed various alliances at national level with social organizations in order to exchange ancestral knowledge and agroecological practices.

‣ They are implementing various Fair Trade mechanisms in order to eliminate the middlemen in the processes of commercialization so that the farmer can have direct contact with the consumer.

‣ They are currently implementing an agroecology project with family farmers in the province of Guayas. The project helps to recuperate the biodiversity of the farm, protect the native seeds, and utilize various organic fertilizers in order to encourage the breeding of local animals.

The Work of the Federation.Projects, Events, Demonstrations ...

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These two photos exemplify the educational activities that the Federation helps to organize and execute. The photo on the left is a field practice expedition

regarding biopesticides. It was led by Dr. Jesus Estrada, a Cuban specialist in Neem. The photo to the right is a seminar on Agroecology at the Catholic

University of Guayaquil.

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When Richard Intriago Barreno became the President of the Federation in 2008 he brought with him over ten years of experience and a strong passion for organic farming methods & food sovereignty issues, as well as his perspective on the issues facing small farmers in Ecuador. He has become a well-respected figure in food sovereignty in Ecuador and South America, having authored two books; Organic Agricultural Program for the Food Sovereignty of Venezuela and The Power to Choose about personal growth and empowerment in Guayas and Los Rios, Ecuador. He continues to serve as an active and respected member of the National Conference on Food Sovereignty in Ecuador. Richard´s leadership has injected a strong organic focus on the Federation while maintaing the organization´s values to promote social justice and food security for small farmers in Ecuador.

Richard´s expertise stems from his formal academic training in agriculture and personal involvement in the food sovereignty movement as an activist. He is a graduate from the Catholic University of Guayaquil with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was formally trained in Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Cuba, where he also studied soil quality and organic methods of strengthening agroecology. Further, Richard has participated in integral courses in genetics and the impacts of transgenics on the environment and humans at the University of Santa Catarina in Braziland. At the Universidad Catholica he was founder of the Agroecolocos, a group of university students who campaign and fight for improved exposure of organic farming techniques in formal education centres. Further, he has organized and participated in various national and international events through the Federation, and led workshops on agroecology, organic farming practices and the preparation of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

Richard has demonstrated tremendous leadership for the Federation during his Presidency, and looks forward to reaching new audiences who share in the struggle for food sovereignty through this newsletter.

Richard can be contacted at:richardintriago@soyorganico.com

Profile of the President:Richard IntriagoBy Marianne Pemberton

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News Brief: Ecuadorian Court Rules Against Chevron in an

Historic CaseThe struggle for social justice in Ecuador takes many different forms. The Federation expresses its solidarity with the struggle of the indigenous communities of the Amazon in their fight against Texaco. The residents from the province of Sucumbios have spent the last 18 years seeking justice for the environmental damages suffered in their territories by Texaco’s (now Chevron Corporation) oil exploration. A court in the small town of Lago Agrio ruled against the oil company requiring Texaco to pay $8.6 billion in damages for polluting the Amazon and permanently affecting the lives of thousands of villagers in the area. According to the plaintiffs, the environmental contamination left by the company in a span of 26 years is ten times worse than the Gulf of Mexico spill. The plaintiffs have announced they will appeal the decision to demand the $27 billion they think is needed to repair the damages. Chevron has also vowed to appeal, calling the court’s ruling the product of fraud. For more information about Texaco’s oil exploration in the Ecuadorian Amazon see the book Las Palabras de la Selva (The Jungle Speaks), a psychosociological report of the impact on the communities of Ecuador.

Adapted from an article written by Sofia Jarrin of upsidedownworld.org

The photo above is Richard playing with worms (i.e. trying to get others to touch them). The photo below was taken when the national agreement for food sovereignty was signed in Quito, Ecuador. Richard is third from the right.

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Defining the Terms:The Basis of the Food Sovereignty MovementBy Marianne Pemberton

Food sovereignty:

For the Federation, food sovereignty is about more than independence, emancipation, freedom, autonomy and authority. It is about being completely autarchic over food production. Food sovereignty is the right for cities and towns to have control over their agricultural system and the factors of production in the form of family agriculture, small farming, indigenous farming, agroecological farming, sustainable fishing and artisanal production in a free and equitable manner. Following these methods our society can guarantee human rights and enough healthy, nutritious, culturally appropriate food for all. To realize this, we need to restore and revitalize traditional and ecological agricultural techniques, generate e c o n o m i c s o l i d a r i t y a n d democratically control the food market to ensure equal access to food and a just wage to farmers. Further, it is essential that we restore the habits and customs of consuming nutritious and healthy foods, and re-establish the identity and food culture of the population.Definition elaborated by Richard Intriago

Organic agriculture:

A form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, g reen manure, compos t , and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm. Organic agriculture promotes biodiversity and biological cycles. The primary goal of organic agriculture is t o o p t i m i z e t h e h e a l t h a n d productivity of the interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people. Organic farming methods respect the earth and nurture animals. Consumers of organic products are eating foods that are pesticide-free, non-irradiated, and n o t g e n e t i c a l l y m o d i fi e d o r biologically engineered. Combined definitions from Wikipedia and thenibble.com Agroecology:

Agroecology links ecology, culture, economics and society to sustain agricultural production, healthy environments and viable food and farming communities. Based on traditional knowledge, alternative agriculture and local food system experiences, agroecology is a system t o h e l p d e s i g n a n d m a n a g e sustainable ecosystems to ensure that farming is productive, but also resource conserving. Agroecology incorporates environmental and

social aspects into its management system to optimize the use of local resources and to minimize the negative environmental and socio-economic consequences of modern farming.

Definition from agroecolog y.org and agroeco.org Genetically modified organisms:

Genetically modified organisms and food are a result of a genetic engineering process designed to increase the yields and reduce the vulnerability of plants to insects and other threats. In this process genes are removed from one organism into another in order to provide herbicide tolerance or insect resistance. Once genes have been inserted into a plant they cannot be removed, and are eve n t u a l l y r e l e a s e d i n t o t h e environment through the natural pollination process. GMOs have been controversial for their questionable impact on natural ecosystems, and p o s e h e a l t h r i s k s , g e n e t i c contamination, create resistant superweeds, and are a huge threat on already-declining biodiversity levels. Ecuador´s 2008 constitution declares the country ¨GMO free¨ and limits the use of biotechnology.

From environmentalcommons.org/ gmo-factsheet.html

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Richard explaining the different organic fertilizing methods to two professors from a University in Guayaquil, UEES.

The Construction of Worm Beds in the farms of the Campesinos of the Federation.

The Community Canastas in Guayaquil. Affordable, healthy, organic food produced by campesinos and sold to low-income families.

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Family: Manuel Carriel CastroOccupation: FarmerLocation: Catarama region Property: 19 blocksOrganic practices: Manuel uses the debris from the cacao plants as a compost layer, buys a few organic fertilizers, slightly diversifies his crops, and uses the excess plant material for maintaining soil moisture and extra nutrients. He uses a machete to weed, and works in harmony with beneficial insects, which he keeps in mind when trying to only apply chemicals when the most damaging pests attack. Little by little the farm is transitioning to organic.Crops: National cacao, cacao CCN51, plantain, papaya, avocado, noni, and yucca. Description: This small farm is moving in the direction of ecological agriculture. Manuel (Federation worker in support of organic practices) believes that the tendency to teach large-scale chemical-based farming has long-term results but it can be slowly changed with effort from farmers, consumers, and educators. This family farm has been functioning for years with the help of family members and a few hired part time employees.

Family: Leonardo Mejia - “The Association of Organic Farm Workers, the 25th of April”.Occupation: Organic Farmer Location: Las Cañas, 10 minutes from Daule Property: 2.35 hectares. Organic practices: Leonardo grows a type of fern (seen in photo below) and utilizes it as a fertilizer, primarily for his rice crops (an innovative activity that he has received international recognition for). He also utilizes plants such as neem and a natural soap called Jaboncillo as natural pesticides. He uses worm cultivation, compost, and many different types of bio-fertilizers.Crops: His main crop is rice. He has an herb garden with a variety of medicinal herbs. He also has many plants that he uses for fertilizers and pesticides scattered throughout his property. Description: Leonardo often repeats with a smile, “You can find everything in nature”. He believes very strongly in using what nature offers and not supporting big commercial agricultural companies. Leonardo has incredible knowledge of plants and minerals; what nutrients they offer and what purpose they serve to the soil. He believes in the health of the soil and makes his own products to provide phosphorous, nitrogen, and other nutrients to the soil. He has four healthy worm beds and uses the resources from those. There is an educational area on the farm that includes a covered sitting area where he teaches workshops to farmers and university students. He sells his products but says he prefers to teach people how to make their own fertilizer and be independent. Leonardo uses native seeds and so is able to reuse his seeds every year. The farm is a great example of systematic thinking. The respect of the land is beautiful to see.

Farmer ProfilesFriends of the FederationBy Leda Glastonbury

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The photo above is of Manuel at his family farm performing his daily activities.

The photo to the right is of Leonardo demonstrating his crop of Azolla Anabaena, a fern that he uses to fertilize his rice crops.

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Transgenics/GMOsNational Conference

In October 2010, more than 40 university students, professors, farmers, and interested public a t t ended a con ference on g e n e t i c a l l y m o d i fi e d fo o d organized by the Federation. In the morning, three speakers explained their research and beliefs regarding the negative effects, politics, and future of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The first talk focused on the dangers of GMOs and agricultural science in general, as well as the increasing power and influence of large seed companies and what that means for small organic farmers. The second presentation focused on corn, in particular its importance in Mexico, and took a socia l p e r s p e c t i v e . T h e t h i r d presentation brought the focus in on Ecuador and discussed the country’s situation in more detail. In particular, the presentation looked at Ecuador’s agricultural power and the fears that food is b ec o m i n g m o n o p o l i zed by corporations rather than farmers. The conference was an example of the Federation´s commitment to

o p e n c o n v e r s a t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g c o n n e c t i o n s between like-minded people, with the further intention to gracefully infuriate youth and others into action.

Students in BrazilOrganic Agriculture

In early October the Federation sent five Ecuadorian youths to Brazil to study organic agriculture with Escuela Latinoamerica de Ag roeco log ía (ELAA) of the Movimiento de Trabjadores Sin Tierra (MST Movement). This unique opportuni ty enabled these motivated students to study and learn valuable practices abroad for three years in order to bring b a c k t h e i r k n o w l e d g e t o strengthen the organic farmers

movement in their home country of Ecuador.

University ConnectionsAgroecolocos

A vital aspect of the Federation is to educate youth to change harmful agriculture practices and to act as a voice in support of changing mindsets and forms of agricultural education. In support of these goals the Federation has recently formed a new branch, the Ag roeco locos , run by agriculture students at the C a t h o l i c U n i v e r s i t y o f Guayaquil. A main focus of this group is to work with high school students in marginalized areas of the city to inspire them about food i s sues, inc luding the importance of knowing where your food comes from, and then helping them to create organic gardens. Youth connections are also in the making with the Universidad Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES) in Guayaquil, where Richard Intriago has spoken with the international students at UEES about the work of the Federation and has begun to host student volunteers.

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Federation members at the Summit for Mother Earth in

Bolivia.

The Agroecolocos planting vegetables with youth from

marginalized urban schools in Guayaquil.

Leda, a volunteer with the Federation, and Marco Campo

Verde, a leader from the agricultural centre in canton El

Empalme.

This Year’s HighlightsBy Leda Glastonbury

Mangos from a Federation member’s farm in the canton of

Daule. Always a highlight!

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E m m a Wr i g h t ( D e s i g n e r, E d i t o r & Contributing Author) is a graduate of International Development Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. She is now living and working in Guayaquil, Ecuador after recently completing an internship for the Canadian International Development Agency.

Marianne Pemberton (Contributing Author & Editor) recently finished her Master’s in Political Science and International Development Studies at the University of Guelph. She is now living and working in Vancouver, Canada after completing an internship with the Canadian International Development Agency in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Leda Glastonbury (Contributing Author) is currently in her third year of study in Sustainable Design and Spanish at Pacific University. She recently completed a semester abroad at the

Universidad Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES) in Guayaquil, Ecuador. During her time in Ecuador she worked closely with the Federation as an intern.

Richard Intriago (Contributing Author) is the current President of the Federation and active member of the Food Sovereignty Committee in Ecuador. See his profile on Page 4 for more information.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard and the Federation for sharing their ideas and experiences with us. During the process of creating this Newsletter we have had the opportunity to learn about and witness the amazing work that is being carried out in Ecuador.

- Leda, Marianne & Emma

Contributing Authors

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Share your ideas with the Federation!

Website: www.soyorganico.org

Email: info@soyorganico.org

Address: Av. Quito y Vélez (esquina) Edificio Vifesa, Piso 2,

Oficina 203. Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Telephone Numbers:(011 593) 4 2323910(011 593) 4 2324584

Facebook Page:Federation of Farmers Along

Ecuador’s Coast

Help to sow the seeds of food sovereignty! Pass this

newsletter along to anyone who might be interested.