Page 30 - Ecuador's Banana Sector under Climate Change

ecuador’s banana sector under climate change: an economic and biophysical assessment to promote a sustainable and climate-compatible strategy
a higher productivity level and a more sustainable banana system. This took into account the likely impacts of climate change on future production yields.
A key concern in terms of banana production is the high use of pesticides to maximize yield. The economic analysis focused on cost (driven by labour and pesticide inputs) and market structures, as well as the uneven distribution along the value chain, which is creating significant social inequality. The biophysical analysis (i) emphasized the climate change impact on banana suitability
in Ecuador; (ii) the implications of the changing climate parameters on the dynamics of pests and disease; and (iii) the likely changes that will need attention immediately and in the future to ensure the continued economic viability of a system that is vital to Ecuador’s agricultural economy.
This biophysical analysis also examined the carbon footprint and GHG emissions associated with banana production, including the stages from transportation through to consumption. From a socio-institutional perspective,
a study was made of the national social policies to ensure a fairer distribution of returns to stakeholders across the banana value chain, especially with regard to smallholder farmers and banana plantation workers, who play an important role as constituents within Ecuador’s main agricultural industry. The socio-institutional analysis included the issue of governance relating to the banana value chain, not only within Ecuador (labourers, producers, exporters), but also beyond its borders (consumers).
The studies have improved the articulation of Ecuador’s existing banana
policy with respect to the responsible environmental management of pesticides and Ecuador’s social responsibility towards its workers, including fair wage distribution. The impact of climate change on Ecuador’s future banana production has been found to be insignificant, unlike in other key banana-producing countries. The results of climate change impact on the dynamics of pests and disease in Ecuador, however, will require further research, since the results, thus far, are not conclusive in terms of the future behaviour of pests and disease on the banana industry.
This report focuses on the Ecuador case. It describes the different studies undertaken in relation to the impacts of climate change on Ecuador’s banana industry.
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