AGRICULTURE
Along
the plains
of the province
exist rice,
sugar cane,
corn African
palm, passion
fruit, papaya,
coffee, cocoa
and banana
plantations.
Techniques,
fertilizers
and machinery
has all been
improved in
the area thanks
to the support
of the Technical
University
of Babahoya.
The province
is the country’s
principle
cocoa producer
and the coast’s
second largest
coffee producer.
From colonial
times to the
First World
War, cocoa
was Ecuador
’s principle
export. Los
Rios is the
country’s
second biggest
rice producer.
In terms of
agriculture,
Los Rios is
one of Ecuador
’s most privileged
provinces.
Fishing is
also another
principle
activity of
the province.
Cocoa
The
traditional
crop of the
province has
always been
cocoa. In
1900, Los
Rios was the
country’s
most important
cocoa producer.
In this era
landowners
of cocoa plantations
had a substantial
amount of
power. According
to statistics
of the year
1900, Los
Rios had close
to 31 million
cocoa trees,
over 8 thousand
workers and
a population
of 40 thousand.
The province
was therefore
extremely
wealthy: around
10 or 20 families
controlled
a significant
part of the
cocoa production
industry.
MANUFACTURING
The
manufacturing
industry is
basically
concentrated
in the cantons
Babahoyo
and Quevedo.
The most important
branch of
industry is
the paper
products industry
( La Reforma
y Acuapapel).
Other important
industries
are: Ingenio
Isabel Maria,
Agroindustrial
Fruta de la
Pasion (producing
concentrates
of passion
fruit) wood
manufacturers
Maderas y
Balsas Ecuatorianas
and Productos
del Pacifico.
Forest
Resources
The
area houses
many forests
which produce
a range of
wood types
that are used
in construction,
furniture
making, boats
and canoes.
Exploitation
of the forests
in the region
is intense;
as exploitation
has not been
controlled
this poses
some serious
risks with
regards to
the state
of the ecosystem.
Artisan
Production
Artisan
production
is one of
the most important
branches of
manufacturing,
The principle
goods are
baskets, nets,
wooden objects,
cane furniture
and footwear.
CATTLE
Cattle
farming has
been on the
increase during
recent years.
The bovine
population
currently
stands at
around 177
thousand.
COMMERCE
Los
Rios maintains
intense commerce
with the central
and coastal
provinces.
Along the
coast, Guayas
is Los Rios’
principle
commercial
partner. From
the interandean
provinces
the province
receives cereals,
vegetables
and flour.
From Manabi
Los Rios imports
fruits, straw
products and
cotton.
Last Updated
22nd August
2006 (DLW)
