Ecuador's Ministerial Agreement No. 032 of 2026: Guidelines for Partial Subsidies for Beekeeping Kits for Associations and Independent Beekeepers

Ecuador's Ministerial Agreement No. 032, signed on June 8, 2026 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, establishes the guidelines governing partial subsidies for the purchase of beekeeping kits by legally constituted nonprofit beekeeping associations and independent beekeepers in continental Ecuador. The measure implements Component 3 of the FPARTAA project, which promotes agricultural production through on-farm irrigation systems and agricultural and beekeeping modernization for small and medium-sized producers. The beekeeping component seeks to diversify and increase producers' incomes through the sustainable development of beekeeping activities. The mechanism provides a government subsidy covering 75% of the cost of each beekeeping kit, with beneficiaries contributing the remaining 25% through mandatory co-payment. Implementation involves resource transfer agreements between the Ministry and BanEcuador, cooperation agreements with participating suppliers, and co-execution agreements with beneficiaries. The guidelines regulate eligibility requirements, beneficiary selection and registration, kit acquisition and delivery, document verification, reimbursement to participating suppliers and institutional responsibilities. They also establish technical assistance and monitoring arrangements, verification visits, quarterly reports and annual assessments based on beneficiary numbers, honey yields per hive and income generated by beekeeping. The measure aims to strengthen productivity, technological upgrading and incomes among small and medium-sized beekeepers. The stated results are expected policy outcomes rather than verified impacts.