By Lorena Mendoza Egúsquiza
Morona Santiago, Ecuador – Desde diciembre de 2025, la comunidad de Cuchaentza viene dando pasos firmes en la implementación de un pre-proyecto que busca fortalecer la soberanía alimentaria desde una mirada integral, combinando saberes ancestrales, sistemas agroecológicos y procesos de regeneración territorial. Esta iniciativa forma parte del trabajo conjunto entre la Asociación Cuchaentza, Cuencas Sagradas Amazónicas, NASHE y líderes del pueblo Shuar.
Built from community dialogue and priorities, the initiative focuses on reviving traditional aja shuar gardens, aja shuarplanting native seeds and fruit trees, and restoring the abundance of the land. The project seeks to ensure access to healthy food and reinforce local livelihoods rooted in cultural relevance.
Community Participation at the Core
In its initial phase, the project was officially introduced and discussed with local leaders and community members, who collectively validated the commitments and timeline. Twenty beneficiary families were selected through a democratic process, and participants received training in agroecological methods, seed recovery, and the design of their aja plots. aja.
“Dialogue has been essential. We talked about our seeds, our ways of planting, our customs. This is more than a project, it's a way to return to what is ours,” shared one participant during a guayusada, a traditional community gathering held to honor cultural continuity.
Concrete Results
By January 2026, significant milestones had been reached: agricultural toolkits and seed packages were distributed to each beneficiary family, and economic incentives were provided for land clearing and preparation. Technical visits supported families with guidance on planting, field measurements, and mapping of cultivation areas. aja en cada finca.
One of the highlights so far has been the intergenerational exchange of knowledge—vital to ensuring that traditional farming practices are passed on to younger generations.
A Step Toward Territorial Regeneration
This pilot project lays the groundwork for a larger vision: a community-led reforestation and ecological restoration process that could eventually cover over 10,000 hectares with native species. The approach integrates food systems, medicinal plants, and territorial defense, rooted in Shuar knowledge and governance.
The food sovereignty project in Cuchaentza shows that pathways toward food security and forest recovery can move forward hand in hand—guided by Indigenous knowledge, technical collaboration, and the leadership of the communities themselves.