Estudio de factibilidad para la producción y comercialización de cuyes en la Provincia del Cañar

Abstract

The production and marketing of guinea pigs offer an alternative for boosting the income of small-scale farmers in the province of Cañar, given the growing acceptance and demand for this source of protein. This research aimed to evaluate the feasibility of guinea pig production and marketing through market, technical, organizational, economic, and financial studies. A mixed-methods study was conducted, with a descriptive scope and a non-experimental cross-sectional design, based on fieldwork and a literature review. The information was obtained through structured surveys administered to 382 families in the province of Cañar and 20 guinea pig producers. The market study showed that 82% of respondents consume guinea pig meat, and 96% expressed a willingness to purchase the product from a local organization. The technical study determined an annual production capacity of 4,800 guinea pigs, intended for sale both live and slaughtered. The economic and financial evaluation showed a Net Present Value (NPV) of USD 4,039.34, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 23%, a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.18, and a payback period of just over four years, within the five-year evaluation horizon. It is concluded that the project is feasible from commercial, technical, organizational, economic, and financial perspectives. However, it requires efficient cost control and meeting production and sales targets to ensure its sustainability.