Tungurahua province has conditions suitable for growing deciduous fruit trees such as peach (Prunus persica L). This research aimed to identify the main factors influencing the production of this fruit crop and their effect on farmers income. Surveys were carried out directly to peach farmers in seven counties of Tungurahua such as Ambato, Cevallos, Mocha, Patate, Pelileo, Píllaro and Tisaleo. The results indicated that the most relevant factors were: farmer age, sown area, fruit selection, reason for fruit growing, type of production and production issues. KEYWORDS:Fruit crop, income, profitability, Prunus persica, yield.Factores que influyen en el ingreso de los productores de durazno en la provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador RESUMEN: La provincia de Tungurahua posee condiciones adecuadas para cultivar frutales caducifolios como el durazno (Prunus persica L.). Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar los principales factores que influyen en la producción e inciden en la generación de ingresos económicos al agricultor. Encuestas fueron realizadas directamente a los productores de durazno en siete cantones de Tungurahua como son Ambato, Cevallos, Mocha, Patate, Pelileo, Píllaro y Tisaleo. Los resultados indicaron que los factores más relevantes fueron: edad del productor, superficie sembrada, selección de la fruta, razón para cultivar frutales, tipo de producción e inconvenientes de producción.

El Ecuador, por su ubicación geográfica posee las condiciones climáticas adecuadas para el cultivo del aguacate, siendo las principales zonas productoras: Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Tungurahua, Azuay y Loja. La variedad demandada a nivel internacional es la ‘Hass’; sin embargo en el mercado local es la aceptación es por la variedad ‘Fuerte’. Entre los principales países importadores y potenciales mercados de este frutal tenemos Estados Unidos, Francia, Holanda, Japón, entre otros. No obstante, las exportaciones de aguacate ecuatoriano han sido principalmente a Colombia (99 %), alcanzando un valor de 2.2 millones de dólares americanos; y en menor escala a las Antillas Holandesas, España y Holanda. El precio en el mercado local varía entre 1.06 y 1.90USD/kg, observándose inestabilidad; sin embargo, en el mercado europeo alcanza un valor de 3.60 USD/kg constituyéndose una alternativa atractiva para su comercialización. En el mercado local no existe una demanda insatisfecha debido a que la producción nacional se la comercializa casi en su totalidad en el país; mientras que existe una demanda insatisfecha a nivel internacional que constituye una oportunidad de mercado. Abstract Ecuador has adequate weather conditions for growing avocado due to its geographic location. The main producing areas are Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Tungurahua, Azuay and Loja. ‘Hass’is the variety demanded in the international market; however the variety ‘Fuerte’ is the most consumed in the local market.Among the major importing countries and potential markets for this fruit are United States of America, France, Holland, Japan, among other.However, the Ecuadorian avocado exportation has been mainly to Colombia (99 %), reaching an amount of 2.2 million of American dollars; and a low scale to the Netherlands Antilles, Spain and Holland.The price in the local market varies between 1.06 and 1.90USD/kg, resulting in instability; on the other hand, in the European market it reaches a value of 3.60 USD/kg, constituting an attractive alternative for its commercialization. In the local market there is no an unsatisfied demands because local production is almost entirely marketed in the country; while there is an unsatisfied demand at the international level that constitutes a market opportunity.

The province of Tungurahua is well known for the production of deciduous fruit trees in Ecuador, however, its production is impacted by some issues that affect productivity. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a diagnosis of the production system of deciduous fruit trees in 6 locations in Tungurahua province. Surveys were carried out to obtain information on 117 production units (farms). A regression model was used to determine the relationship between the variables and their incidence in the production system. The results showed that peach (Prunus persica) is the fruit crop with highest yield (16.19 t ha-1), followed by apple (Malus domestica) (13.36 t ha-1) and pear (Pyrus communis) (13.15 t ha-1). Apple cultivars Emilia and Golden Delicious, cv. Uvilla of pear and Conservero Amarillo of peach were the most cultivated in Tungurahua. The main factors that influenced the farmer income were: Land area used for cultivation, reason for growing fruit trees, age of the producer, fruit selection and type of production. It is necessary to advocate to expand the cultivated land area of these fruit crops in order to satisfy local demand and compete with imports of these fruits.

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