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  • Publication | 2025

Implementation of an indicator-based framework for farm sustainability assessment in Ecuador

Global Food and Nutrition Security

Cocoa is one of Ecuador’s most emblematic and traditional export products. The cocoa sector is vital to the country's economy and is an essential source of livelihood for many households in rural areas. Cocoa production has grown significantly in the last decade. However, it faces intricate socioeconomic and environmental problems, including poverty, inequality and deforestation, that threaten the sustainability of the cocoa value chain. Although efforts have been made to assess the sustainability of cocoa farms in Ecuador, the number of studies is still low and their usefulness is hampered by methodological issues. Existing sustainability assessment tools often provide a partial view, focusing on one or two of the classic sustainability dimensions (often on the economic, social or environmental dimensions).This study applies a novel indicator-based framework (FARMTOOLS) that assesses five dimensions of sustainability (economic, social, environmental, nutrition and health, and governance), thus offering a fully integrated perspective of sustainability. The framework has been applied to cocoa farms in Manabí, one of the largest cocoa-producing areas in Ecuador, to assess and compare the sustainability of farms cultivating fine-flavour cocoa and CCN-51 cocoa, the two main varieties grown in the country.The study highlights critical aspects affecting cocoa farm sustainability and, as such, it helps to identify areas where policy interventions might contribute to more sustainable practices, thus improving the sustainability of cocoa farms in the country.