Impactos socioeconómicos y ambientales de las florícolas informales en Ecuador: caso del cantón Cayambe
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Date
2025
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Publisher
PUCE - Quito
Abstract
El estudio analiza los impactos socioeconómicos y ambientales de la floricultura informal en el cantón Cayambe, Ecuador, vinculados a la expansión del modelo exportador y la limitada capacidad de control estatal. El problema central radica en la proliferación de pequeñas florícolas informales en zonas ambientalmente sensibles, donde la ausencia de fiscalización genera contaminación, precariedad laboral y competencia desleal frente a empresas formales. Se aplicó un enfoque metodológico mixto que combinó análisis documental, entrevistas semiestructuradas a actores públicos, privados y comunitarios, y procesamiento estadístico de datos oficiales. Esta triangulación permitió contrastar percepciones locales con evidencia empírica sobre empleo, producción y sostenibilidad. Los resultados muestran que las florícolas informales operan con limitado acceso a crédito, incumplimiento del pago de regalías por propiedad intelectual, precios de venta inferiores al mercado formal, condiciones laborales precarias y presencia de trabajo infantil. Además, el uso intensivo de agroquímicos genera degradación del suelo y contaminación de fuentes hídricas. Aunque contribuyen a los ingresos familiares y al dinamismo local, su informalidad restringe la competitividad, fomenta la evasión tributaria y debilita la gobernanza ambiental. Se concluye que la falta de coordinación institucional y de políticas diferenciadas perpetúa desigualdades y riesgos ecológicos, evidenciando la necesidad de estrategias de formalización y transición agroecológica para el desarrollo de este importante sector productivo y exportador.
The study analyzes the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of informal floriculture in the Cayambe canton, Ecuador, linked to the expansion of the export-oriented model and the limited capacity of state oversight. The central problem lies in the proliferation of small informal flower farms in environmentally sensitive areas, where the lack of effective regulation leads to pollution, labor precariousness, and unfair competition with formal enterprises. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews with public, private, and community actors, and statistical processing of official data. This triangulation allowed the comparison of local perceptions with empirical evidence on employment, production, and sustainability. The results show that informal flower growers operate with limited access to credit, non-payment of intellectual property royalties, lower sales prices compared to the formal market, precarious labor conditions, and the presence of child labor. Moreover, the intensive use of agrochemicals causes soil degradation and water pollution. Although these activities contribute to household income and local dynamism, their informality limits competitiveness, promotes tax evasion, and weakens environmental governance. It is concluded that the lack of institutional coordination and differentiated policies perpetuates inequalities and ecological risks, highlighting the need for formalization strategies and agroecological transition to promote the sustainable development of this important productive and export-oriented sector.
The study analyzes the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of informal floriculture in the Cayambe canton, Ecuador, linked to the expansion of the export-oriented model and the limited capacity of state oversight. The central problem lies in the proliferation of small informal flower farms in environmentally sensitive areas, where the lack of effective regulation leads to pollution, labor precariousness, and unfair competition with formal enterprises. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews with public, private, and community actors, and statistical processing of official data. This triangulation allowed the comparison of local perceptions with empirical evidence on employment, production, and sustainability. The results show that informal flower growers operate with limited access to credit, non-payment of intellectual property royalties, lower sales prices compared to the formal market, precarious labor conditions, and the presence of child labor. Moreover, the intensive use of agrochemicals causes soil degradation and water pollution. Although these activities contribute to household income and local dynamism, their informality limits competitiveness, promotes tax evasion, and weakens environmental governance. It is concluded that the lack of institutional coordination and differentiated policies perpetuates inequalities and ecological risks, highlighting the need for formalization strategies and agroecological transition to promote the sustainable development of this important productive and export-oriented sector.
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Keywords
Floricultura - Producción agrícola, Impacto socioeconómico - Desarrollo local, Economía informal - Sector productivo, Impacto ambiental - Agricultura, Desarrollo sostenible - Agricultura, Agricultura - Ecuador, Informal floriculture, Socioeconomic impacts, Environmental pollution, Flower exports