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The Sumaco Biosphere Reserve is located in the northeastern area of Ecuador, on the western slope of the Andes mountains. The city of Tena is the centre of development within the reserve, and its main urban centre. In rural areas, economic activities are related to coffee and cocoa agriculture, livestock, tourism and conservation. The oil and mining industry also represents one of the main economic activities in this region.  

Deforestation is mainly concentrated along the roads connecting the urban centers of the biosphere reserve and is also fueled by the expansion of livestock farming.  

Further away from the urban centers, economic activities are related to coffee and cacao agriculture, cattle ranching, tourism and conservation. These areas are better preserved, thanks to the ways of life of the Indigenous Peoples and communities that inhabit them.

Currently, the greatest pressures and impacts are caused by mining exploitation in irregular concessions functioning without completed environmental processes and by illegal mining, which impacts the rivers and communities.

The brand Witoca (meaning healing jungle spririt) was created by a group of young people from families of coffee producers. It aims to produce and add value to raw materials of excellence, and particularly robusta coffee and cocoa cultivated in agroforestry systems. Witoca works with 80 robusta coffee producers in the Loreto Canton, and won the National Golden Cup Competition for Robusta in 2019, 2021 and 2022.  

Witoca also develops professionalization opportunities, through WitocaLab, a youth incubator, coffee laboratory and coffee shop, where young people are trained as coffee tasters and roasters with the support of other organizations. 

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project supports Witoca by securing access to organic bio-inputs for coffee and cocoa producers and assembling a biofactory with a biodigester. 

All biosphere reserves must fulfil three basic, equal and mutually complementary functions: conservation, socio-economic development, and logistical support. These functions are guided by a management plan, which serves to achieve the declared objectives of the biosphere reserve in a structured, measurable way. In designing the biosphere reserve management plan, stakeholders must consider the goals, rules, and restrictions regarding land use and management in these areas. The formulation of a management plan represents a key opportunity to engage with stakeholders and communities in depth. This process may require considerable resources. The Sumaco Biosphere Reserve had a 2002-2012 management plan, which is currently being updated with the support of the Yachana Foundation.