FAO Digital Media Hub - ECUADOR, 2025. Blanca is secretary of the women’s savings group in the community of El Cercado

Hide details

Alternative Versions

Tags

Farmers

Women

Explore More Collections

Conceptually similar

ECUADOR, 2025. Blanca is secretary of the women’s savings group in the community of El Cercado

ECUADOR, 2025. Maria is a member of the El Cercado women’s savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Maria is president of the women's savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Zayra is treasurer of the women’s savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Members of the women's savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Zayra is treasurer of the women’s savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Members of the women's savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Zayra is treasurer of the women’s savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Members of the women's savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Zayra is treasurer of the women’s savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Members of the women's savings group

ECUADOR, 2025. Activity at the women's saving group

ECUADOR, 2025. Members of local community groups

ECUADOR, 2025. Alexandra is a member of the women producers' organization,

ECUADOR, 2025. Flowers in Zayra's garden

ECUADOR, 2025. Alexandra is a member of the women producers' organization,

ECUADOR, 2025. Writing the monthly financial summary of the women's savings group

Similar tones

View images with similar tones

Add to collection

Download

ECUADOR, 2025. Blanca is secretary of the women’s savings group in the community of El Cercado

09 July 2025. El Cercado, Ecuador. Blanca Evelyn Morales Caiza (31), mother of three and secretary of the women’s savings group in the community of El Cercado. She used the funds from a group loan to help build her home, demonstrating how community-led financial initiatives support women’s housing, stability, and long-term well-being in Cotacachi.

07/09/2025

Country or Territory Ecuador

Related URL Related FAO Feature Story: https://www.fao.org/newsroom/story/secrets-of-the-andean-chakras/en

UNFAO Source FAO Photo Library

File size 6.75 MB

Unique ID UF1ADT2

Editorial use only. Photo credit must be given. For further information contact: Photo-Library@fao.org

Background Information Kichwa women and their ancestral agricultural knowledge have sustained food security in Ecuador’s highlands for centuries. Their farms, known as chakra, were recognized in 2023 by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). Indigenous women like Magdalena are seed guardians, preserving native maize varieties and passing this knowledge to her daughter Verónica.

Climate change-related droughts, floods and pests threaten this system, but with FAO’s support, organizations like UNORCAC work with Kichwa communities to strengthen resilience through the use and exchange of native seeds.