Estrategias de asociación y cooperativismo entre pequeños agricultores orientadas a mejorar su competitividad en el cantón La Troncal

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between association and cooperative strategies and the competitiveness of smallholder farmers in the canton of La Troncal, province of Cañar. The research focused on the production and marketing constraints resulting from individual marketing, limited bargaining power, and dependence on intermediaries. Methodologically, the study was conducted using a quantitative approach, with a descriptive-correlational scope and a non-experimental cross-sectional design. A structured questionnaire using a Likert scale was administered to a probabilistic sample of 167 farmers. The reliability of the instrument achieved a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.983, indicating high internal consistency. The results demonstrated a very strong positive relationship between association and cooperative strategies and farmers’ competitiveness (Rho = 0.946; p < 0.05), confirming that collective organization, cooperation, and shared access to resources strengthen agricultural productivity, marketing, and profitability. It is concluded that associativity constitutes a strategic factor for improving the competitiveness and sustainability of small-scale producers. Therefore, a model for organizational strengthening oriented toward the administrative and commercial management of the agricultural sector is proposed.