CROPLAND

General Overview

Throughout the valley, especially at lower elevations, a limited number of crops are grown as monocultures (single species) in larger fields. These fields typically have access to irrigation. Key commercial crops are sugar cane and coffee. Corn (maiz), a foundation crop for the original agriculturalists in this region, also continues to be an important local crop. Much of the corn that is grown may be for subsistence and animal feed; though the large, white choclos kernels can also be found in most local tiendas.

Two Key Crop Species

Sugar cane, caña de azúcar (Poaceae or grass family, Saccharum officinarum)
Sugar cane is a type of grass. It was introduced in Ecuador in the late 1800s, and is now cultivated in all regions, up to about 2000 m (around 6500 ft). The cane stem contains a high proportion of sugar -- 15 to 20 per cent. It is harvested when in flower. Pure cane syrup is extracted by pressing the cane in a mill (photo at right). Local people drink this syrup (jugo de caña), which is rich in vitamins and minerals. The syrup is also cooked until it crystallizes, then processed into the small bricks called “panela”. This delicious form of raw sugar, also nutrient-rich, can be purchased in the local tiendas.

Coffee tree, café (Rubiaceae family, Coffea arabica)
Coffee, which probably originated in Ethiopia, is cultivated in all regions of Ecuador. It is a small tree (up to 3 m or 10 ft), and has a rather thick, glossy leaf. Mature trees are very productive. The white flowers and the berries can be found at the same time on a single tree, growing on branches between the main stem and the leaves. Berries are initially green, but become red at maturity. They dry to brown if left on the plant. Within each berry are two coffee “beans” (the seeds). The berries are dried, and pounded open to release the beans. The beans are then roasted and ground. Intermixing coffee plants with other larger species of trees (shade-grown coffee) is more ecologically sustainable than plantation-style coffee-growing, since it maintains greater diversity and habitat. Groups of ethereal-looking, transparent-winged butterflies, from the family Ithomiidae, can often be seen flitting amongst coffee trees.

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