Crop reconversión: from oil palm: (Elaeis guineensis) to cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in Quininde, Ecuador Reconversión de cultivo: de palma aceitera (Elaeis guineensis) a cacao (Theobroma cacao) en Quinindé, Ecuador

Abstract

The production of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) has been present in the Quinindé canton since the seventies, displacing other crops in the area such as bananas, coffee, cocoa, among others, becoming the most widespread monoculture in the canton, the It has been affected by the disease bud rot (PC), harming most of the palm plantations, which has led to a deep crisis in the canton, deepened by recent events such as natural disasters and falling prices. in exports, which affects palm producers in the canton. For this reason, it is important to analyze whether it is convenient to replant oil palm plants and continue with the cultivation at the risk of the aforementioned, or if other production alternatives such as cocoa (Theobroma cacao) are created to solve the current crisis, by having greater alternatives of production, as well as recovering one of the most important crops in the country, which has its own history and added value, as well as being highly valued in international markets to the point of being considered a product of excellence due to its properties, aroma and flavor, generating industries and value chains on it.