Agriculture
Due
to the fact
that Bolivar
accomodates
cold zones
and zones
with a warmer
subtropical
climate, agriculture
here is extremely
varied.
Products typical
of the Sierra
such as potatoes,
wheat, lentils,
corn and mellocos
are grown
here along
with sugar
cane, coffee,
cocoa, oranges,
papayas, limes,
mandarines,
advocados
and other
products typical
of the coastal
regions.
There is a
variety of
wood found
here such
as laurel,
baba,
motilon, zapan
platuquero
and
quebracho,
pine trees,
cypress trees
and eucalyptus
trees.
Agriculturally
speaking,
Bolivar is
divided into
three zones:
a)
Andean paramo
in the central
part extending
for approximately
3-4 thousand
metres, representing
25 per cent
of the total
area.
b) Interandean
meadows located
in the valley
of Chimbo,
occupying
around 13
per cent of
the total
area.
c) Western
slopes of
the Chimbo
backbone.
This zone
is the largest,
occupying
around 46
per cent of
the total
area with
altitudes
varying between
1,000-2,500
metres.
d) The lower
western zone
occupying
around 16
per cent of
the province
with altitudes
ranging between
200-1,000
metres.
Each
of these zones
has its own
agricultural
system and
farming methods.
Cattle
Farming
Cattle
farming has
been taken
up here in
the last few
years.
The abundant
production
of milk has
allowed the
dairy industry
to flourish,
including
the manufacturing
of cheese
and yogurt,
particularly
in Salinas,
towards the
north of the
province's
capital, Guaranda.
Cheeses are
manufactured
using special
modern techniques
and have begun
to be exported.
Pig and sheep
farming is
also an important
industry,
which mainly
takes place
in Guaranda.
Production
Structure
Smallholdings
predominate
the province
and agricultural
activity is
somewhat low
due to the
land not being
as fertile
as in other
provinces.
67 per cent
of smallholdings
own approximately
5 hectares
of land, whilst
only 1 per
cent contain
over 100 hectares.
The unequal
distribution
of land serves
to aggravate
the economic
situation
as many of
the smaller
farms are
situated on
less fertile
land and on
steep slopes.
250 thousand
hectares are
used for agricultural
and grazing
purposes of
which around
160 thousand
are actually
sufficiently
fertile.
In recent
years, the
area of cultivation
of coffee,
corn amd cocoa
has increased.
There are
no stock warehouses
as there is
an abundant
network of
middlemen
selling in
the area.
Producers
are also not
organised
in such a
way.
Mines
Clay
mines are
present in
Yurco, Santiago,
Chimbo, Santa
Fe, San Lorenzo
and San Miguel.
In Chillanes
white and
yellow earth
is used in
the production
of artisan
goods.
In Talagua
and Simiatug
there are
various zinc,
copper and
silver deposits;
in San Antonio
mercury deposits;
in Salado,
towards the
north of Guaranda
there are
metamorphic
rocks and
silica terrain;
in Salinas
salt mines
and mineral
deposits on
the banks
of River Chimbo.
Towards the
south of Balzapamba,
montmorillonita,
which is used
in ceramics.
In Las Naves
and Ensillado
gold deposits
can be encountered.
Artisanship
Mainly
in the form
of wooden
furniture
production,
guitars, firearms,
ironsmithy,
carvings,
pyrotechnics,
jewellery
and hat-making,
artisan products
used in farming
practises,
the manufacturing
of confectionary
and fabrics.
Weaponary
is also produced
by these artisan
workshops,
which dates
back a long
time, although
its exact
origin is
not known.
Forest
Resources
Trees
and forests
in the region
have been
exploited
uncontrollably
and in a disasterous
fashion.
Deforestation
has only contributed
to land erosion
and efforts
to replant
trees and
repopulate
the forests
have been
insufficient.
Around 21
per cent of
the area is
covered in
forest.
Communication
and transportation
routes
The
province is
connected
to the rest
of the country
via road.
Guaranda is
situated some
235 kilometres
from Quito
and 180 kilometres
from Guayaquil.
The province
lacks a good
road infrastructure.
The towns
of Guaranda,
San Miguel
and Chimbo
have digital
phonelines.
Many towns
are cut of,
however, due
to the irregular
topograohy
of the province
and the rainfall
during the
winter season.
A high percentage
of agricultural
smallholdings
are situated
more than
10 kilometres
from the main
roads.
Last Updated
28th July
2006 (DLW)
