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Structured Equations to Assess the Socioeconomic and Business Factors Influencing the Financial Sustainability of Traditional Amazonian Chakra in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Author

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  • Marcelo Luna

    (Faculty of Earth Sciences, Amazon State University (UEA), Pastaza 160101, Ecuador
    CENTRUM Católica Graduate Business School, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima 15023, Peru)

  • Luciano Barcellos-Paula

    (CENTRUM Católica Graduate Business School, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima 15023, Peru
    Departamento Académico de Posgrado en Negocios, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima 15088, Peru)

Abstract

This study focuses on investigating the dimensions of sustainability and their influence on financial-economic sustainability (FES) in traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) using the case of the Amazonian Chakra. The main objectives were to analyze the dimensions of sustainability and to establish the causal relationships between these dimensions and the FES. To carry out this research, 330 households in Napo Province that use the Amazonian Chakra system to grow cocoa were selected in order to analyze the relationship between the different dimensions of sustainability and FES in this unique context. The results of the study show that practices related to food security (FS) and business factors (BF) have a positive and significant impact on the FES of cocoa-producing households in the Amazonian Chakra system. These findings support the importance of ensuring the availability and quality of food and promoting responsible business practices in these environments. In contrast, the dimensions of environmental resilience (ER) and biodiversity conservation (BC) showed a negative impact on FES, highlighting an economic-financial imbalance in relation to conservation and environmental resilience actions in the Amazonian Chakra. This study contributes to the knowledge needed to promote agricultural practices that include an equal focus on FES, biodiversity conservation, and environmental resilience practices in a globally significant area, providing valuable information for the design of sustainable agricultural policies and practices in the Amazonian Chakra.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo Luna & Luciano Barcellos-Paula, 2024. "Structured Equations to Assess the Socioeconomic and Business Factors Influencing the Financial Sustainability of Traditional Amazonian Chakra in the Ecuadorian Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2480-:d:1358406
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    1. Daniel Roberto Jung & Oduvaldo Vendrametto, 2025. "Agroforestry for Food Security and Public Health: A Comprehensive Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Bolier Torres & Marcelo Luna & Cristhian Tipán-Torres & Patricia Ramírez & Julio C. Muñoz & Antón García, 2024. "A Simplified Integrative Approach to Assessing Productive Sustainability and Livelihoods in the “Amazonian Chakra” in Ecuador," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Ana Asensio-Ciria & Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero & Francisco José Blanco Jiménez & José Luis Montes Botella & Antón García Martínez, 2025. "Structural Equation Models to Determine the Relationship Between Startup Incubation Stages and the Graduation Rate of Incubators in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-28, January.

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