Ecuador: National Agricultural Policy and Plan 2020–2030 for Competitive, Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Development

Ecuador's National Agricultural Policy and Plan 2020–2030, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), is a long-term sectoral planning instrument designed to transform the country's agricultural sector by improving productivity, competitiveness, environmental sustainability and economic and social inclusion. The policy establishes a strategic vision based on innovation, quality differentiation, value-chain development and responsiveness to domestic and international markets, while strengthening food security, food sovereignty and rural development opportunities. It is organized around six policy pillars: (1) productivity and quality improvement through research, innovation and capacity development; (2) development of domestic and export markets; (3) access to services and infrastructure, including financial services, information, land tenure regularization, agricultural health services, irrigation and productive infrastructure; (4) stronger producer associations and participation by rural women and youth; (5) agroenvironmental sustainability and climate change adaptation through resilient production systems and mitigation practices; and (6) institutional and legal modernization to improve public policy coordination and effectiveness. The National Agricultural Plan identifies strategic actions and priority instruments to implement these pillars through cooperation among public institutions, private stakeholders, academia and producer organizations. The framework emphasizes family farming, rural women's participation, improved agricultural support services, sustainable natural resource management and institutional capacity building. Its planning horizon covers 2020–2030. The sectoral policy was subsequently formalized as a state policy through Executive Decree No. 1293 of April 22, 2021.