In the midst of the political crisis in Ecuador, the country’s banana growers are calling for representation for their sector in the farm ministry. As the country’s major export crop, growers are calling for a producer as agriculture minister rather than an exporter or politician. Ecuador has a new president this week - Alfredo Palacios - who is yet to be recognised by the international community. He replaces ousted leader Lucio Gutiérrez, now in exile in Brazil amid allegations of human rights abuses and contravention of the national constitution.

Banana growers’ association Aproban has cited the names of former ministers Seminario, Larrea and Escobar who all had direct links with exporters.

Aproban has declared that with a banana grower at the ministry growers will have a greater chance of an agricultural policy that will benefit them. The association is also calling for the minimum banana price to be respected by exporters.

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