Strategic analysis of inter-Andean food circuits: a combination of structural dimensions and measuring of socio-productive profiles

The fruit and vegetable sector in Ecuador has shown promising performance in domestic and international markets. However, this sector has faced problems of a social, economic and productive nature in its structure and articulations that require intervention. The case of the tree tomato agri-food network, located in the central Andean area of Ecuador, is part of this sector. This study shows its main social and productive characteristics, a horizontal and vertical dimensioning, and proposes strategies focused on improving their productive performance. In this study, a systemic methodology was applied aimed at the identification and characterization of stages, agents and activities (primary and support). Additionally, network governance mechanisms were analyzed. The study concluded that inclusion of women, the sense of associativity of processors and distributors, the training of producers in topics related to post-harvest and good agricultural practices would significantly improve the economic performance of the network and encourage greater participation of agents involved. Finally, it was deduced that the network requires increasing the area assigned to the tree tomato crop and the application of sustainable greenhouse production systems to increase yields.