AGRICULTURE

Thirty-nine per cent of the province’s population is economically active. The area given over to cultivation measures some 20 thousand hectares, pastured exceed a further 10 thousand. Imbabura is one of the main provinces producing beans (approx. 7 thousand hecatares is given over to this in total) and is the leader in corn cultivation with almost 25 thousand hectares dedicated to this agricultural activity. The province is the country’s third biggest producer of sugar cane with over 100 thousand metric tons per annum. Other important crops include barley and wheat.

 

Avocado and tomatoes are grown in the valleys of Chota, Ibarra, Pimampiro and Ambuqui. Cabuya is grown and mainly sold in Otavalo.

CATTLE FARMING

The province has some areas of terrain well suited to cattle farming, especially in Zuleta and

Magdalena . There are over 115 thousand cows grazing the area. The irrigation network constructed in the valley of Salinas has served the agriculture in the region extremely well, especially in the cultivation of alfalfa and for cattle farming.

INDUSTRY
In comparison with other provinces, industrial production in Imbabura is relatively low. Nevertheless, the number of people employed in the manufacturing industry is higher than in other provinces. The principle manufacturing branches in the area are textiles, clothing, leather goods, and the production of foodstuffs and beverages.

Last Updated 14th August 2006 (DLW)