Ecuatorian rural migration and agriculture

Background/Question/Methods

The increasing national and international emigration from rural areas is changing agricultural land management.  The impact of Ecuadorian emigration on small and medium scales agriculture is analyzed through a statistical assessment of tho central highland region in 2008. 

The research question declared was: What are the demographic, environmental and soil that influence the proportion of land devoted to pasture and short cycle crops.

Results/Conclusions

The results showed an increasing of the arable land allocated to short term crops that is related to: the growing number of male migrants, more children at home depend on a steady supply of short tern crops for their nourshment, and dwindling remittances that have nearly plummeted.  On the other hand, female migration and the greater numer of children have reduced the amount of pasture areas  in the Cañar-Chimborazo zone.  A greater expanse of land allocated to pasture is indicative of larger parcels and corresponding higher remittance for household.