The Agrifood network of lupine bean ( Lupinus mutabilis ) in Ecuador: A characterization of the value chain with a socioeconomic and productive perspective

The fruits and vegetables sector in Ecuador despite its gradual growth in local and international markets has captured the interest of state institutions and academic centers who have focused their studies on agronomic aspects of non- traditional products without consider socioeconomic, productive and performance problems; such is the case of lupine bean value chain. To this extent, the aim of this article was to present an analysis of lupine bean value chain in Ecuador through the identification of stages, agents, flows and activities (primary and support) from the socioeconomic and productive point of view for which a systematic methodology was used involving aspects of the agro-economic process. As a result, it was determined that lupine bean value chain in the production and postproduction stages requires the diversification of marketing channels, the implementation of refrigerated storage modules located in the supply centers, the strengthening of associative and / or cooperative structures; and the productive planning programs to provide a potential competitive advantag