Impactos socioeconómicos y ambientales de las florícolas informales en Ecuador: caso del cantón Cayambe

Abstract

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.