Sheep Production and Women of Colta

At the end of the "Sheep Production and Women of Colta” project in the Province of Chimborazo in Ecuador the following results were reported for the following: 1) socio-organizational reinforcement; 2) production and marketing of sheep; and 3) food security. Socio-organizational reinforcement Thirty women’s groups of the Colta Canton were consolidated by obtaining a ministerial agreement and reinforcing their capacity to negotiate their establishment as a second degree organization: COMCIC (Corporacion de mujeres campesinas e indigenas de Colta). Women’s rights are better known and respected through the training of 575 women and 44 men members of community organizations that received training in: human rights; women’s rights; rights to water; and economic rights. 270 women and 30 men from 22 community organizations on average were trained and used their newly acquired knowledge and techniques in financial management of micro-enterprises project planning and evaluation. Sustainability of the women producers’ confederation through the establishment of four commissions (committees) to manage different aspects of COMCIC’s activities. Production and marketing of sheep Improvement of the quality of sheep livestock by introducing new sires (71). Women shepherds/entrepreneurs doubled their income from sheep sale livestock and meat (from $40 to $80 and more). 131 women and 11 men linked with the community groups know and apply new techniques for livestock breeding (basic care parasite removal castration medicine etc.) and to sheep meat marketing (business management slaughter cutting butcher shop sanitation certification accounting etc.). Food security Improvement of garden products by introducing new products ( cabbage tomatoes broccolis turnips eggplants cucumbers carrots lettuce onions cauliflowers beets tamarillos various seedlings etc.) and improvement in the nutrition quality of households for the 154 families that have access to