2024-09-12 06:50:43
Cotopaxi, The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), through the Cotopaxi District Directorate, provided 879 technical assistance and training sessions in the implementation of 120 family and communal gardens to producers throughout the province, directly and indirectly benefiting around 3,500 people.
The technical assistance and training, which have been carried out from November 24, 2023 to date, allowed families to establish gardens in their homes, where they grow lettuce, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, chard, spinach, parsley, celery, beets, among other products, with the aim of improving their food and nutritional security.
Jorge Baño, MAG District Director in Cotopaxi, mentioned the importance of implementing family and community gardens to contribute to the food security of Cotopaxi residents, “MAG is committed to promoting Family Farming and promoting healthy and nutritious food for families in the province and the country. Training and technical assistance are essential tools for families to be able to produce and consume their own food without the use of chemical fertilizers,” said Baño.
The training and technical assistance covered topics such as site selection and soil preparation, planting and care of vegetables, pest and disease management, cultivation techniques, production costs, harvesting and storage of products, among others.
In addition, for the implementation of the gardens, the MAG has delivered vegetable seedling kits to the beneficiary families, with the support of NGOs, FAO, parish GADs, MIES, the Academy and the Cantonal Intersectoral Roundtable on Child Malnutrition.
María Abata, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for contributing to the food security of producers, “Family gardens are an important source of fresh and nutritious food for families, the MAG helps us a lot, thanks to the training we have learned to grow our own natural and healthy products, only using natural fertilizers such as biol, in addition to saving on the purchase of food and generating additional income,” said Abata.
MAG works to strengthen family farming in Cotopaxi and throughout the country by providing technical assistance, training and support in the marketing of products.