Surcos del Sol
ASOPRODALISUR – Surcos del Sol – Tagna, Sigchos, Cotopaxi – Ecuador
rural families
women-led participation
pumpkins processed weekly
investment
Women at the centre of rural production
From the field to new markets: strengthening the rural economy through innovation and sustainability. In the community of Tagna, Sigchos, Cotopaxi, agriculture is a fundamental part of the family economy. Yet rural families face limited technical development, low levels of productive transformation, and difficulty accessing markets with better commercial opportunities. The Surcos del Sol Association — 23 rural families, principally women — is transforming zapallo (squash) as an alternative for local economic development. With Community Evolution’s accompaniment, the program strengthens the productive chain through agro-industrialization, innovation, and sustainable practices that generate greater income, reduce agricultural losses, and improve beneficiary families’ living conditions.
Transforming zapallo into opportunity
The program transforms approximately 200 zapallos per week, turning an agricultural raw material into higher-value products: artisanal zapallo jam; zapallo bread — a food alternative that rescues traditional flavours; artisanal bizcochos (cakes) made from community knowledge; and fresh processed zapallo, to make better use of the harvest.
Rural women leading a new productive opportunity
The initiative strengthens the economic participation of rural families — especially women — through productive, organizational, and commercial capacity building, with the community active across the whole value chain: from agricultural production to transformation and commercialization.
Nothing from the field is wasted
A sustainable model
Productive strengthening — better transformation processes, product quality, and commercial capacity. Circular economy and environmental management — an organic waste and wastewater system using a biodigester, transforming waste into biogas and biofertilizers. Community training — technical formation to run the systems correctly and strengthen the organization’s autonomy.
Community Evolution investment — USD 19,200
Biodigester infrastructure — $6,000. Water treatment system — $5,000. Waste recovery and composting — $5,000. Technical training — $3,200. This investment complements allied institutions such as the Prefecture of Cotopaxi, strengthening the processing plant and guaranteeing its sustainability.
Economic potential
Projected monthly production: zapallo jam — 480 jars; zapallo bread — 4,000 units; artisanal bizcochos — 320 dozen. Estimated monthly income of approximately USD 1,680, with projected net profit of USD 1,008 per month.
Impact
Economic: increased family income, local employment, higher added value for agricultural production. Social: direct benefit for 23 families, stronger community participation, technical and commercial skills. Environmental: reduced agricultural waste, biofertilizer production, circular-economy practices.
Our vision
To transform local production into sustainable opportunities for rural families — where agriculture generates new opportunities, families are protagonists of their own development, waste becomes a resource, and local production drives a sustainable future.
What the families produce each month
containers of pumpkin jam / month
units of pumpkin bread / month
dozen artisanal biscuits / month
processed pumpkin
Investment
approximate monthly revenue
projected monthly net profit
Biodigester infrastructure
31% of total
Water treatment system
26% of total
Waste utilization and composting
26% of total
Technical training
17% of total
Expected impact
Rural women
Agricultural transformation
Local production
Circular economy
Sustainability
Waste reduction
Biofertilizers
Biogas
Community capacity building
Better market access