The economic and environmental impacts of grafted naranjilla in Ecuador
Abstract
Naranjilla is a perennial fruit with promising economic potential for Ecuador. Unfortunately, fusarium infections have shortened its productive life in many locations, greatly limiting its productive potential. The damage inflicted by fusarium has caused producers to search for uninfected land far away from roads, resulting in deforestation. As the intensity of pest and disease pressures has increased, use of agro-chemicals has become an environmental and health concern as well. Ecuador’s agricultural research institute, INIAP, developed a grafted naranjilla cultivar, known as INIAP Quitoense, which offers high yield and disease resistance. The introduction of this cultivar has the potential to reduce forest clearing and chemical use on naranjilla farms. INIAP Quitoense has only been recently introduced to the public, thus its potential impact is largely unknown. The primary objective of the study is to estimate the potential impact of the development of INIAP Quitoense and formulate suggestions for maximizing its positive impacts. After examining the incentives for growing grafted naranjilla, the study seeks to estimate changes in chemical use, land clearing, and household wealth associated with the availability of the grafted cultivar.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Shively, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Agricultural economics|Natural Resource Management
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