AGRICULTURE
and CATTLE
The
terrain in
the province
is extremely
fertile.
Practically
all of the
terrain is
given over
to agricultural
production
Among the
most importan
crops are
rice, cotton,
cocoa, coffee,
corn, beans,
fruits and
African palm.
In the past,
however, the
only products
exported were
cocoa, tobacco,
coffee and
banana.
The bovine
population
stands at
200 thousand.
235 thousand
hectares are
pastures for
cattle farming.
The
Banana
From
1948-1968
the banana
industry was
flourishing.
This was partly
due to an
increase in
immigration
to the province.
Bananas were
exported by
giving three
days notice
to the workers
who then proceeded
to cut and
load the produce
onto the cargo
ships ready
for their
destinations.
Family plantations
predominated
in the banana
business.
As of 1967
the export
of bananas
has seen a
decrease due
to the incorporation
of other banana
zones such
as El Oro,
Guayas and
Los Rios and
the preference
of multinational
companies
of the Cavendish
variety.
The area given
over to the
cultivation
of bananas
has as a result
reduced considerably,
creating increased
poverty among
the population,
diversification
of crops (cocoa,
shrimp, coffee
and bovine
cattle) and
concentration
of properties.
Exploitation
of the forests
has also begun
in the province.
Despite
these changes,
the banana
continues
to be an important
source of
income for
many families
and businesses
in the area.
INDUSTRY
The
most important
branches are:
petrol-derived
chemical products,
wood and foodstuffs.
The number
of those employed
in the manufacturing
sector is
low.
Wood is transported
via waterways
to Esmeraldas
and from there
sent to the
respective
processing
centres.
The industrial
sector remains
open and there
are still
many opportunities
to invest
in the agricultural
industry.
Fishing is
another important
economic activity,
including
shrimp and
lobster.
Shrimp and
lobster are
transported
to Guayaquil
from where
they are exported.
Esmeraldas
is a first
class fishing
port from
where thousands
of tons of
fish and shellfish
are exported
everyday to
various towns
and cities
along the
Ecuadorian
coast and
sierra.
The
State Refinery
The
processing
of oil takes
place just
a short distance
away from
the province's
capital.
The refinary
was open in
1977 and was
later expanded.
Vegetables
The
province's
terrains are
extremely
fertile and
therefore
perfect from
growing vegetables.
Flora is also
in abundance
and the forest
resources
have made
major wood
exploitation
possible.
Forests extend
for approx.
3 thousand
hectares.
The main wood
types are
chanul, balsa,
laurel,
sande, madera
blanca, virola,
guayacan,
and
tangare. Wood
exploitation
has proved
easy although
it has put
the ecological
systems in
danger.
There are
a variety
of palms,
fruits, ornamental
plants, medicinal
plants and
many more
species.
Last
Updated 21st
August 2006
(DLW)
