LAUREN HONICAN RACHEL JORDAN HANNAH NELSON

RAYN RIEL JON ROSENTHAL

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION TO MONOCULTURE!!!

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The truck’s wheels spewed dust and gravel behind us as we rode in the back of an old pick-up truck toward Los Naranjos. Our first of many trips down the dirt road from Santo Domingo brought sights of rolling hills, lush vegetation, modest homes, and friendly neighbors. Studying the forest a little more closely, a member of the group yelled out, “Hey, look at those bananas growing upside down!” These “upside down” bananas with a strange looking purple growth coming from the bottom of the cluster were actually plantains. Little did we know, the sight of this exotic-looking fruit would soon permeate nearly every aspect of our life in Los Naranjos. Because of the extreme prevalence of plantains in the community, we wanted to take a closer look at how plantain culture came to be in Los Naranjos, as well as the effect that this dominant crop has on all aspects of society, including its impact on the community’s economic, environmental, and nutritional well-being. We hope that through this informational recipe book our readers will gain insight to both the benefits that plantain monoculture has on the community as well as the problems monoculture presents. Additionally, we seek to demonstrate how Los Naranjos has changed as a result of monoculture and to explore monoculture’s potential role in the future.

INTRODUCTION TO MONOCULTURE The Tsa’chila are one of many indigenous people in Ecuador. They live in a world torn between modernization and tradition, but they are determined to keep their culture alive. However, they may be trading in their traditional culture for monoculture. What is monoculture? In agricultural terms, monoculture is the sole production of one species of crop. In Los Naranjos, this crop is platanos—plantains. Through our studies, we found that monoculture affects three main aspects of the Tsa’chila lifestyle: biodiversity, economics, and health. In this project we studied these three areas to see if monoculture positively or negatively affects the community of Los Naranjos. We looked at the relationship between biodiversity and monoculture to see whether the two can coexist sustainably. We investigated whether or not selling only plantains is a renewable source of income. Lastly, we studied health and nutrition to see how much the Tsa’chila know about nutrition and how their diet affects their overall health.

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CHIFLES

A popular favorite of the Thinking Beyond Borders participants, chifles are relatively easy to make, inexpensive, and taste like potato chips! You can DEFINITELY try to make

these at home.

INGREDIENTS: - Plantains

- Oil (palm or vegetable)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oil in a pan on the stove on medium heat

2. Peel plantains and chop into thin slices, approximately 1/8 inch thick

3. Carefully add the plantain slices to the heated oil, turn up to medium-high heat

4. Fry the plantain slices, stirring occasionally, until golden brown

5. Spoon onto serving dish, draining chips of excess oil

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“I love chifles! My host mom made them for Faith and me as a work snack at least twice a week, and we ate them for

breakfast all the time. Everyone always wanted a handful of my plantain-made potato chips!” – Rachel Jordan

On average, a Tsa’chila eats 7

plantains per day.

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Economic Overview of Monoculture By Jon Rosenthal

Monoculture is the most important and expansive industry in Los

Naranjos. Employing all thirty-four families in the community,

monoculture provides about $68,000 for Los Naranjos’ local economy.

Starting in the 1950’s, the Tsa’chila jungle habitation began to dwindle

as westerners and mestizos, looking to expand their plantain crops,

began to encroach upon Tsa’chila land. Thus, the only way to maintain

their land was to adapt to this newfound marketplace and become

producers. The portions of land were divided up based on seniority,

causing a great deal of land ownership inequality that still prevails in

today’s community. However, the start-up costs were quite minimal,

allowing for quick compliance to the demands of their buyers. Today,

most Tsa’chila work eight hours a day, six days a week. In the winter,

the abundance of rain increases the supply of plantains so they can sell

more at a price of $.80 per bushel (there are about 80 plantains per

bushel). In the summer time, the lack of rain reduces the supply of

plantains, pushing the price up to $2 per bushel.

Unfortunately, this mass production of plantains is not

sustainable due to limited land availability and a lack of biodiversity. In

addition, there is no way to expand the market due to two factors. First,

the Tsa’chila cannot raise their price per bushel because they only have

one buyer who has complete monopsony power. This monopsony power

means that the buyer, who represents the majority of the market (or, in

this case, the entire market), controls the price. If the Tsa’chila tried to

raise their prices, the buyer would simply buy the plantains elsewhere.

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Economic Overview of Monoculture (continued)

Second, they cannot sell to other people because that would require a

truck—a luxury that most Tsa’chila cannot afford. In the future, the

Tsa’chila will try to use more sustainable plants such as cocoa, which is

not only good for the soil, but also reproduces through its decaying

leaves. Currently, the high price of cocoa reflects its low supply, but if

they reduced the price by increasing the supply, outside buyers would

respond with a greater demand for cocoa. Some Tsa’chila are going to

attempt to alternate cocoa and plantain trees to increase both

biodiversity and profits.

In the long run, some believe the community will shift to a more

modernized economy that seeks employment in local cities such as

Santo Domingo or Puerto Limón. Others believe that combining other

crops such as yucca and corn with the alternation of cocoa and plantain

trees would provide a sustainable and profitable option. Over the next

25-50 years, we believe that the Tsa’chila will attempt to combine these

two lifestyles.

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MOLIDO DE PLATANO

Plantains provide 36% of your daily values of vitamin A and C.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel a few of the plantains

2. Cook the peeled plantains by boiling them in a pot of water until tender

3. When the plantain is cooked, take your board and beater and mash them up

4. Chop up and fry the tomato, onion, and pepper until cooked

5. Add the mashed plantain

6. Mix in butter, cheese, and salt to taste

INGREDIENTS:

- Plantains

- Oil

- Tomatoes

- Onion

- Pepper

- Butter

- Cheese

- Salt

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E D F

CHICHI DE MADURO

INGREDIENTS: -Maduros -Canela

-Milk (if desired)

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Peel and cook maduros.

2. Mash them as you bring a pot of water with canela to boil. 3. When the water is boiling, add the mashed maduros and mix well.

4. If you feel like it, add some milk to this tasty recipe!

“I actually love plantains. There are so many ways they can be cooked: They can be ultra sweet (which is my personal favorite), or they can be totally spicy, or even really bland. They can be used for so many different things. But there’s always a tasty way to cook plantains!”

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INSTRUCTIONS:

INGREDIENTS:

SOPA DE GUINEO This dish requires a

specific kind of plantain called

“guineos verdes,” one of the four types of

plantains grown in the Tsa’chila community.

- Guineos verdes - Oil - Carrots - Cheese - Yerbito - Aruejas - Aliños

1. Peel a few guineos verdes and mash them with a spoon

2. Bring a pot of water to boil and add in the carrots, arunias, and aliños

3. After they have boiled for a few minutes, add in the mashed guineo and let it boil for a few more minutes.

4. Take off of heat and add cheese and chopped yerbito

A machete costs $7.

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COLADA DE PLATANO (Plantain Juice)

“Plantains… hm. Well, we eat a lot of them.” - Faith Greiner, TBB Student 2010-11

INGREDIENTS

- Plantains

- Milk

- Sugar

- Canela

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Peel a few plantains

2. Cut the plantains into small pieces and put them in the sun to dry

3. Once they’re fully dried, mash them into a powder-like substance

4. Take the plantain powder and mix it with water, milk, canela fruit, and sugar

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MADURO AZADO CON QUESO

1 cup of cooked plantains has 28

g of sugar.

INGREDIENTS:

-Maduros

- Peanuts

- Cheese

For this recipe, we need another kind of plantain called “maduros.” These plantains are yellow in color and are typically sweeter. This recipe, according to Señora Angelica, is “simple and easy to prepare.”

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel a few of the maduros

2. Cook the peeled plantains by grilling them over fire

3. When the plantain is cooked, cut it in half (long-ways)

4. Add in chopped peanuts and crumbled cheese

Because the monoculture land was given without cost (on the basis of seniority) for the society members, there is an

agreement that they will not sell the land to foreigners and that they will marry within the community (but there have been a few

exceptions).

Biodiversity By Rayn Riel

Biodiversity, a term describing environments full of diverse animals and

plants, is necessary for life. As every Tsa’chila agrees, nature is the heart and soul

of the world; the Ecuadorian jungle is a major lung, keeping the air fresh and the

water pure. Only 50 years ago, all Tsa’chilas lived in the jungle, off the animals and

plants that also called it home. As a result of biodiversity, they had large rivers and

big fish.

But now, in the 21st century, it is all gone. Today, they live in homes with

store-bought clothing, TVs, and other modern amenities. Now, they live in a

monoculture; plantains are everywhere. Even as we reforest along the riverbank,

farmers are still cutting down jungle nearby. Even as they understand the

importance of the remaining jungle, they are also conflicted.

In short, what they are doing is not sustainable. Plantains are getting

smaller, the soil is getting weaker and drier, and the rivers and jungle are

disappearing. In the future, more land will be needed, either as a result of

population increase or the drive to continue making a profit amidst a declining

harvest value. There is not much land available in Los Naranjos, and land that is

available would first need to be clear-cut of jungle. This presents an unsustainable

future: when all the land is used up and depleted of nutrients, there won’t be any

way to make a profit. Not only that, but as there won’t be a jungle, the river will be

completely dry; there won’t be any fish or water. A new system must be developed.

The community is divided as to what to do in the future. Some want, and plan

on (if they have the resources) to send their children away to university. They’ll

keep the culture with them, but will become professionals with more opportunities.

Others suggest not to cut down the remaining jungle, and to learn how to have

Biodiversity (continued)

opportunities. Others suggest not to cut down the remaining jungle, and to learn

how to have more sustainable and successful yields from the land they already

have; communication and education are key. They also stress the importance of

reforestation work, and to plant more diverse plants in the fields – like cacao

(cocoa), to refuel the soil with nitrogen from the decaying leaves. Another idea is

to simply maintain the status quo.

However, if current trends continue, the world, as we know it, will die along

with all the people, plants and animals. After all, the jungle is the heart of the

world. Even though it is the 21st century, and they can’t move back into the jungle,

the Tsa’chila can still respect it and let it be with the land they already have.

Clearly, the 21st century has its problems directly related to what is happening in

Los Naranjos and the world, such as climate change. But it also offers advanced

technology; there is a solution.

We need the jungle, and the jungle needs us now, too. Let’s start taking care

of it, and reclaim the heritage of the Tsa’chila while at the same time being a model

for the world.

INSTRUCTIONS:

INGREDIENTS:

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BATIDO DE GUINEO

1. Peel three or four guineos maduros.

2. Place in blender and blend together.

3. Add milk, sugar, and ice. 4. Make sure the mixture is blended

well.

- Guineos verdes

- Milk

- Sugar

- Ice

This recipe, which again uses

guineos maduros, demonstrates the

versatility of plantains. Batido

de Guineo is a rich and delicious

smoothie.

TBB students have lovingly nicknamed this staple of the Tsa’chila diet “The Log” for its

taste, texture, and appearance.

INSTRUCTIONS:

INGREDIENTS:

ANO ILICA

Plantains

1. Peel plantains and place in pot 2. Add water until plantains are just submerged 3. Boil until soft and drain excess water 4. Take two or three plantains and mash them on a

wooden board, beating them to a paste-like consistency with a rounded wooden stick (as shown)

5. Using lots of pressure, move the wooden stick in a back and forth motion little by little up the board, then scrape the mixture back to the end of the board. Repeat several times.

6. Roll the mashed plantains together and fold into a cylindrical form using your hands

7. Repeat until all plantains are formed into ano ilica, and serve

Monoculture’s Health Effects By Lauren Honican

Agricultural production, specifically plantains, has been the main economic

activity in Los Naranjos for generations. Nearly every family owns farmland, which

was distributed based on arrival; the families who settled first were allotted the

most land. The primary cultivation of plantains, and subsequent lack of

biodiversity contributed to the loss of species previously hunted and consumed by

the Tsa’chila. This environmental shift decreased the Tsa’chilas’ protein

consumption, while increasing their dependence on plantains, contributing to the

Tsa’chilas’ unbalanced diet.

To maintain good health, humans require a certain daily amount of nutrients

delivered through the intake of diverse foods. The average person needs 60 g of

fat, 250 g of carbohydrates, and 50 g of protein daily (not including many other

important vitamins). Protein is necessary to build muscle, while fat stores

carbohydrates to maintain energy. If one does not meet their daily nutritional

needs, significant health effects will arise.

Plantains are the main staple of the Tsa’chila diet for numerous reasons.

When interviewed, the majority said they eat many plantains because they are a

large part of the Tsa’chila culture, and have been so for generations. But fifty

years ago when the Tsa’chila began to farm plantains, their cultural value

increased as they became their largest source of income. The second most

common reason, when asked, was because they enjoy the taste. Not explicitly

stated, yet clearly another major reason is economics; they don’t cost anything,

but fill your stomach.

Some families are very creative in how they prepare their plantains:

Monoculture’s Health Effects (continued)

“meatballs” in soups, stir-fries, fried chips, and smoothies are a few favorites.

However, families often consume ano ilica: green plantains boiled, smashed on a

wooden board in a forceful back-and-forth motion, and finally rolled into something

resmbling a plantain log. In a typical Tsa’chila meal, ano ilica accompanies a small

piece of meat and white rice. It is a finger food and eaten plain, which puzzles

many foreigners because of the bland taste.

The direct health effects – due to lack of a diverse diet – on the Tsa’chila

community are difficult to discern. However, a study conducted by Jennifer

Ramkisssoon in May 2007, found that 43% of the 39 Tsa’chilas interviewed had

stomach problems (i.e. parasites, diarrhea, etc.). This may be largely due to

contaminated food and water, but also to their unbalanced diet. It is proven that a

diet high in sugar causes worms, and plantains are very high in sugars: 28 g per

cup. When interviewed, all Tsa’chilas said that plantains are good for your health.

But few knew why. Two of the most common reasons were: 1) they are high in

protein (myth) and 2) contain no chemicals (myth). This is not to say that plantains

do not contain certain health benefits, such as being high in vitamins A and C, as

well as potassium. However, the Tsa’chila over-consumption of plantains is still

detrimental to one’s health. The common saying “everything in moderation” is the

truth.

William McDonough and Michael Braungart wrote in their book Cradle to

Cradle that “diversity means strength, and monoculture means weakness”. This

applies to diet; the digestion of diverse foods, and thus diverse nutrients, is

necessary to live a healthy life. Tsa’chilas need to be educated in school about

Monoculture’s Health Effects (continued)

nutritional health. The children could build and maintain a vegetable garden at

school (like the Yanapuma Foundation initiated in Bua), which may prompt families

to do so at home. This way, the Tsa’chila will have greater access to nutrient-rich

vegetables, which are currently very expensive at the markets in town. A

Tsa’chila’s active lifestyle requires a lot of protein, yet it is so expensive. Thus,

cows, chickens, turkeys, and fish need to be made more accessible and

affordable. All of these efforts, contributing to a more well-balanced diet, could

have huge health impacts on the community, but prove difficult to achieve due to

the Tsa’chila’s cultural customs and lack of economic opportunities.

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EMPANADAS DE PLATANO INSTRUCTIONS: For the filling: 1. Fry the tomato, onion, pepper, and garlic in a small amount of oil. 2. Boil the chicken in water. 3. Pull the chicken into strips. 4. Mash 2 plantains separately and mix with the chicken. 5. Mix with the sautéed veggies. For the dough: 1. Boil the plantains in water. 2. Mash the plantains by hand with a stick until the dough is even. Forming the empanadas: 1.Take a small amount of the dough and roll flat with a rolling pen into a circular shape. 2.Place a small amount of filling in the middle and fold, pressing the outer edges to enclose each empanada.

INGREDIENTS:

- 9 Plantains -1 lb of chicken -1 cubed tomato -1 cubed onion -1 cubed pepper -4 cloves of mashed garlic -Salt to taste -Cilantro to taste

-Lauren King, TBB Student, 2010-11

-Rayn Riel, TBB Student, 2010-11

SPECIAL THANKS TO FLOR MARIA AND VICTOR, ANDRES AND ELENA, MANUEL AND LISTER, NORMA, JOSE, ROBERTO, AND JESSIE