This study was done by administering household surveys to 50% of the families in the three communities. Families were selected through stratified random sampling. This allowed us to determine how much families are exploiting species that have a significant level of production as well as whether they use them for a commercial activity or subsistence. With regard to cows, 60.40 ± 4.72% of families use them. Each family has an average of 1.68 ± 0.21 cows. Productive cows make up 36.9% of the above percentage, which is a majority. The measured rate of production was 6.48 ± 0.25 L/cow/day. Overall, 40.16 ± 3.17% of production was used for household consumption while the rest was sold. These parameters as well as the sale of live animals helped San Nicolas have an annual income of 735 US dollars, which shows that this community relies more on commercial activity. On the other hand, San Clemente and San Francisco had annual incomes of 367 and 279 US dollars respectively. This shows that these communities focus more on familial subsistence. Of the major species, sheep are the least exploited with 54.80 ± 8.74% of families using them. The first lambing occurs at 17.79 ± 0.48 months. Newborns are weaned at 5.57 ± 0.11 months by only 27.27 ± 4.47% of families. Of the weaned newborns, 60.69 ± 5.13% are kept and the rest are sold. Every 10.46 ± 0.47 months, 77.96% of the wool produced is sold. Generally, the sheep are sol d at 22.84 ± 1.75 months of age. This generates an average annual income of 40.85 ± 19.26 US dollars, which indicates that this activity is focused on familial subsistence. Swine production is the most common form of animal production. Pigs are exploited by 81.86 ± 7.17% of families with each family having an average of 2.11 ± 0.16 animals. A sow’s first delivery occurs at 16.48 ± 0.48 months and their productive life comes after reproducing 1.98 ± 0.15 times. Each litter has 5.72 ± 0.19 offspring with a post-weaning mortality rate of 28.99 ± 4.82%. Offspring are weaned at 2.90 ± 0.12 months. Overall, 65.13% of the weaned offspring are kept and the rest are sold. Annual revenue from pig production is 63.2 ± 22.46 US dollars which indicates it is used for familial subsistence, acting as a safeguard against economic emergencies at times. Of the minor species, the guinea pig is the most exploited. It is used by 86.11 ± 3.65% of families with each family having an average of 12.04 ± 1.31 guinea pigs. The mothers have an average of 2.44 ± 0.06 offspring per litter with a weaning rate of 75.81 ± 4.33%. Overall, 86.91% of production is used for family consumption and the rest is sold. The annual income generated by this activity is 6.24 ± 0.51 US dollars which indicates that this is an activity dedicated to providing food for the family. Rabbits are used by 49.42 ± 5.23% of families, each having an average of 4.03 ± 0.64 animals. There is an average of 6.57 ± 0.29 newborns per litter with a weaning rate of 41.16 ± 5.20%. Overall, 80.18 ± 4.16% of production is used for family consumption. This activity is similar to guinea pig production seeing as the annual income it generates is only 12.80 ± 1.10 US dollars. Chickens are exploited by 77.33 ± 4.39% of families with each family having an average of 5.88 ± 0.60 animals. Broiler chickens make up 48.22% of the poultry population with the rest being made up of native and field hens. Overall, 68.96% of broiler chickens are used for family consumption while 89.31 ± 3.27% of hens are used for family consumption. The annual income from this activity is 40.13 ± 19.24 US dollars. This makes it appear to have a slight tendency toward commercial use. We conclude that the three communities have different levels of animal exploitation. San Nicolas was the most successful of the three, partially using their livestock production for commercial purposes. San Clemente used part of theirs for commercial purposes as well, but on a lower scale. San Francisco, on the other hand, focuses their livestock production solely on familial subsistence. We recommend that a study be conducted regarding all points involved in the feasibility of production projects in these communities, especially in regard to the organization in each community. This will help improve production levels and make way for a change from a subsistence based economy to a more commercially based economy, ultimately improving the social and nutritional levels of these families.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BGMYU2/oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-6408 |
| Date | 01 January 1997 |
| Creators | Nuñez Lopez, Raul Rolando |
| Publisher | BYU ScholarsArchive |
| Source Sets | Brigham Young University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Coverage | Riobamba (Ecuador) |
| Rights | http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/ |
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