Los circuitos cortos de comercialización como espacios de fortalecimiento de la Economía Popular y Solidaria. Caso del Biocentro, mercado agroecológico de la ciudad de Cuenca Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of this research is to understand how the knowledge and practices of the Popular and Solidarity Economy are articulated with the short marketing circuits in the Agroecological Market Biocenter of the city of Cuenca. To achieve this objective, the mixed research method was used, through a case study, in which, through the implementation of qualitative research techniques, such as documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews and quantitative techniques, through the application of surveys, the objectives were achieved. The results indicate the existence of a relationship between the economic, social and environmental practices that are carried out in the Agroecological Market Biocenter of the City of Cuenca and the economic principles that govern the Popular and Solidarity Economy; however, evidence was found that indicates the existence of important differences in the generation of material incentives between producers/marketers. The study also identified the belonging of this short marketing circuit to the so-called strong alternative networks; likewise, the evidence collected indicates the existence of important changes in the producers/traders and their families when they join the Short Marketing Circuits; These include the generation and strengthening of spaces for communication and knowledge, the economic insertion of people with little or no job qualifications capable of voluntarily joining the system of social division of labor, and greater adherence to agroecological practices. It is concluded in this study that the economic, social, cultural and environmental activities that are developed in the Short Marketing Circuit of the Agroecological Market Biocenter of the city of Cuenca, through the exercise of the substantive economy and the application of its guiding economic principles are They constitute a space for strengthening the Popular and Solidarity Economy, which allows for the extended reproduction of the life of the producers/marketers and their member domestic units. It is recommended, in future research, to deepen the analysis concerning the contributions made by Short Marketing Circuits around the Popular and Solidarity Economy; In this sense, it would be important to expand the study at the meso level and economic framework, which will allow a better understanding of this problem regarding aspects such as the construction of networks between these organizations, the insertion of small producers and their Domestic Units into these spaces. as well as its articulation with policies aimed at popular and solidarity economies