THE IMPACT ON PRODUCTION COSTS OF BASIC GRAINS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM PRODUCERS IN THE CONTEXT OF SOVEREIGNTY AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE EASTERN REGION OF EL SALVADOR.

Abstract

The territory of El Salvador is cut by the Lempa river in two large areas, each one with different cultural characteristics. The Eastern Region presents the characteristic of volcanoes that during many periods of history have expelled ash, destroying communities and crops, but have created fertile soils for agricultural production, these have been used for new human settlements, and the inhabitants have grown in manipulation of seeds and plants, as well as knowledge of fertile soils.
The domestication of seeds such as corn and beans allowed the development of agriculture since pre-Columbian times, thus promoting a cultural identity for the peoples around the cultivation of the aforementioned grains.
In this way, basic grains are part of the social, economic, family and cultural activity of the inhabitants of El Salvador, who throughout history have had interesting growth processes, due to the fact that the population has increased and therefore the diet. The population's diet requires abundant grains for nutrition.
However, the way these basic grains are produced is constantly changing due to endogenous and exogenous factors. Therefore, with this article, we seek to know the impact that production costs currently have for small and medium farmers and how they affect the sovereignty and food security of the eastern region of El Salvador.
To carry out this study, opinions were obtained regarding the subject, through interviews with key informants from central and local government, NGOs, and private companies. Likewise, small and medium producers were surveyed, which made it possible to identify perceptions, criticisms and proposals on the current situation of subsistence agriculture.