CEA

Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de Agroecología (CEA)

CEA is a network of organisations that promote rural sustainable development and agroecology programmes in Ecuador. The network advocates a holistic approach to agriculture based on traditional, alternative and local small-scale agriculture.
 
By carrying out training on agroecology techniques CEA enables farmers to conserve natural water resources and land biodiversity so they can provide a balanced diet for their communities. So far, CEA has trained more than 700 farmers in agroecology techniques, and this number is growing fast. CEA also works to stimulate local markets, increasing the money farmers can make from their land and protecting their rights from being infringed on by larger corporations.
 
CEA has also been involved in setting up the Agroecological Movement of Latin America (MAELA) (opens in new window), through which it aims to stimulate political action to develop agroecology in the region. At a national level, CEA is an active member of the Ecuador Committee for the Protection of the Environment.
 
CEA's key priorities include working to strengthen its ties with indigenous communities and small scale farmers so as to promote agroecological methods to them. In partnership with other organisations working to protect the environment CEA also encourages farmers to sell their produce locally, in this way reducing the food miles associated with the export industry. And the network has plans to lobby the government to highlight the environmental dangers associated with using GM seeds and pesticides.
 
CEA is one of three partner organisations (along with FRRHH and IEE) working on a Progressio project to help poor communities in the Ecuadorian Highlands to establish fair sustainable systems to manage water, land and seeds. The three year project is being funded by the Big Lottery to work with small communities where people live in difficult conditions with high levels of poverty and malnutrition. Located at over 3000m above sea level, they farm small plots of land and now face increasing problems due to contamination of irrigation water and soil erosion.

Progressio and Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de Agroecología (CEA)

"I am supporting CEA on the theme of food security and sovereignty - with work on agroecology, agrobiodiveristy conservation and seed management. One of the main purposes of my work is recovering and revaluing native seeds." Myriam Del Carmen Salazar

Myriam Salazar is working as a Progressio Development Worker at CEA. She is an agricultural engineer who has previously worked for 6 years with small scale farmers in the Dominican Republic on agroecological projects supported by Progressio.

Visit the CEA website (In Spanish, opens in a new window)