Gender-Differentiated Credit Management for the Corn Value Chain in Ecuador

Abstract

Financing and the diversity of criteria within the financial system are oriented towards multiple factors in the agricultural value chain. This article aims to analyze and differentiate the impact of gender on public and private financing in the corn growing sector in Ecuador. To do this, a systematic search of scientific and grey literature was conducted. Data were gathered from the Agricultural Public Information System. The criteria of eligibility included reported variables and observations where public and private financial institutions participated. Methodological quality includes non-parametric evaluation for gender and intra-variable studies. Our main findings show 48% of women had access to credit. Of these, 61% relied on loans from cooperatives, 24% from State-owned banks, and 15% from other financing sources. Significant differences were observed in the variables under study. Gender differences and the financing from various actors have the potential to generate changes in player’s empowerment in the value chain.