Organic Sustainable Agriculture in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Save to Favorites

Our sustainable agriculture interns will work with staff and community members to investigate the feasibility of producing new products from native Amazonian plants. Activities include: the calculation of net present value for local agricultural systems, opportunity costs, and the social and biodiversity benefits of high diversity agroforestry systems. They will help to find new markets. They will and research case studies to investigate native crop production and the potential for new markets for these products.

Project Objectives

• Investigate agricultural production yields in communities

• Create a database that measures the production value of crops and the general welfare of farmers in Napo

• Production of training guides and diagrams for researchers and farmers

Intern Duties

• Spend time in the field to understand indigenous agricultural methods

• Collect data of native crop in the region for the best practices video

• Design a database for native crop species

• Perform a cost-benefit analysis on data

Qualifications

This internship is geared towards industry professionals and graduate students majoring in international development, affairs or business or a related field. Proficiency in English and Spanish is essential. Experience in Latin America and/or working in a rural setting is a plus.

Current Status of Research

The original goal of this project was to compare the input costs, labor, and total profit associated with guayusa and other cash crops such as cacao and coffee. This has now expanded to encompass other potential crops in the region and a multi-faceted approach to farmer participation, data collection and agricultural economics analysis.

Currently, an agricultural workbook is being developed. This workbook includes agricultural activities, expenses and revenues for all regional crops. Different formats of the workbook are being trialed with farming families to establish the best method of data collection.

Once this stage has been completed, the Sustainable Agriculture team will adapt the workbook and begin to collect and analyze data.

Please send the following directly to our Program Manager, Lindsay McGeehon, at volunteer@runa.org .

1. A simple resume

2. Letter of intent (including which project you are applying for and why you want to intern)

3. Two references (email addresses are OK)

If you are interested in working with us or have any questions about the internship program please send an email directly to volunteer@runa.org

Dates are flexible throughout the year.

Costs:

8 weeks room and program fees...........$1600

10 weeks room and program fees............$2000

Additional weeks...............................$200/week

Optional Homestay fee...........................$60/week

(Homestay includes all meals, lodging and transportation to/from homestay community)

*Program fees include living accommodations. Food and travel expenses are not included