Granjas avícolas y autosuficiencia de maíz y soya: caso Tungurahua-Ecuador.

Objective: To characterize poultry farms and self-sufficiency of corn and soybeans, in Tungurahua-Ecuador. Methodology: Interviews were carried out with 90 selected poultry farmers through non-probabilistic sampling, production and export statistics reported by the Association of Balanced Manufacturers (AFABA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP) were used, and Average Rates of Cumulative Variation and self-sufficiency and food dependence were calculated. Results: In Tungurahua, 78% of poultry farmers are engaged in raising poultry and 62% have semi-automated facilities. The 100% of corn and soybean used by the poultry of Tungurahua, comes from other provinces and international imports. Between 2007 and 2016, maize recorded an annual average self-sufficiency rate of 0.9, while soybean yielded 0.08. Limitations: Statistical information on domestic production and imports of grains was scattered. Conclusions: the results indicate the presence of different types of poultry production systems. These, depending on the level of technology, range from crafts to automation. Likewise, the national production reaches to cover with difficulty the national demand of the poultry sector, not the national soy that covers a minimum part. Based on these results it is suggested to maintain the policy of import substitution of yellow maize and to expand soybeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]