African palm in Los Rios Province of Ecuador: agrobusiness, the state and violation of peasants´ rights

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of the African palm cluster in the upper region of Los Rios province, and is an emblematic case that reveals the current condition of the power exerted by agro-business in Ecuador. As the analysis of the various actors of the cluster demonstrates, this sector has relied on strong state support, as a result of coalitions between State and a handful of big companies that concentrate the sector’s income and result in the violation of peasant and small producers Human Rights. This process, apparently, hides the historical discrimination towards this constituency and perpetuates historical disadvantages and social debts in our society.

Keywords

• Clúster de palma africana, provincia de Los Ríos, violaciones a los derechos de campesinos y pequeños productores, marco regulatorio a agroindustria