Food security and peasant economies in the rural sector of the parish of Cebadas in the canton of Guamote

Abstract

The rural parish of Cebadas, located in the Guamote canton, Chimborazo province, Ecuador, situated in the central region of the inter-Andean corridor south of the city of Quito, faces multiple structural challenges that affect both the economic development and food security of its population. Despite its agricultural and cultural potential, limitations persist in relation to productive practices, community organization, commercialization, and access to educational training processes, factors that directly impact the quality of life of its inhabitants. The local economy, mainly based on subsistence agricultural and livestock activities, shows low levels of technification, limited productive diversification, and weak integration with external markets, resulting in unstable incomes and restricting access to adequate, sufficient, and diverse food. Likewise, malnutrition, especially among children and young people, negatively affects productivity and contributes to the perpetuation of rural poverty cycles. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between food security and peasant economies in the parish of Cebadas, considering the productive, economic, social, and educational factors that influence the living conditions of the rural population. In this context, the need to promote comprehensive strategies aimed at strengthening food and economic education as transversal axes of sustainable rural development became evident. Food education can contribute to the strengthening of healthy nutritional habits, the valorization of local products, and the prevention of food-related diseases, while economic education can strengthen the capacities of rural families in resource management, productive decision-making, and the use of financial tools. Consequently, it is necessary to promote associative processes, strengthen local capacities, improve infrastructure, and facilitate access to fair markets. Finally, it is concluded that only through comprehensive, participatory, and culturally relevant interventions will it be possible to strengthen economic and food inclusion in the parish of Cebadas, contributing to the sustainable development of peasant and indigenous communities in the territory.