Seipasa, a Spanish company specialising in the development, formulation and production of bioinsecticides, biofungicides, biostimulants and nutritional treatments for agriculture, has carried out an important training initiative on nutrition and healthy habits for women workers in the flower sector in northern Ecuador.
The workshops, held between December 2023 and February 2024 in the provinces of Pichincha and Carchi, represent a significant effort to improve the quality of life of this working community, which plays a major role in the country’s economic activity. Ecuador is the world’s third largest exporter of flowers, with a value of more than USD 1 billion.
The training has enabled 120 women aged between 18 and 40 who work in the country’s floricultural companies to improve their eating habits and practices at home.
It should be noted that the floriculture industry in Ecuador employs mainly rural women, who are also responsible for feeding their families in a context where 20% of children under the age of 2 suffer from chronic malnutrition, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, INEC.
Food and CSR
José Luis Egas, Seipasa’s commercial director for LATAM, highlighted the importance of this action: “We are committed to promoting the well-being of the communities in which we operate by promoting healthy, chemical-free food, which is the value proposition around which our Corporate Social Responsibility policy at Seipasa revolves”.
"These workshops not only provide knowledge about healthy eating, but also promote habits that have a positive impact on the quality of life of the workers and their families,” adds Egas.
The workshops covered basic concepts about the importance of a balanced diet and provided a participatory space where women could share their experiences and reflect on their eating habits. Didactic tools and interactive materials were used to enrich the learning process, and surveys were used to assess the level of knowledge on the topics covered.
Women, a central pillar of household nutrition
“The results of the surveys gave us valuable information,” says Egas. “For example, we found that more than 50 per cent of participants did not know their children's weight and height, which highlights the need to raise awareness of the importance of monitoring children’s growth and development to prevent child malnutrition.
In addition, the surveys revealed that while most participants recognised the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle, there was a gap between theoretical knowledge and daily practice. Many admitted to having difficulties in maintaining a balanced diet due to lack of access to adequate information and the influence of ingrained habits.
“It is crucial to continue working on education and awareness of healthy eating habits,” stresses Egas. “Our goal is to provide these women with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their families”.