Josselyn Veronica Vega Rojas
Ecuador | Agroecology
Josselyn Veronica Vega Rojas is helping to future-proof agriculture in the Andean highlands of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, through a blend of Indigenous knowledge, agroecology and community leadership. A member of the Kichwa Panzaleo people, she runs the Kay Pacha Agroecological Farm, growing diverse crops and raising animals to protect biodiversity while sustaining rural livelihoods. She also plays a leadership role in the Association of Agroecological Producers of Cotopaxi, which established the La Mata a la Olla agroecological fair. This fair has become a vital market for sustainably grown produce and helped the association grow to include around 120 farmers. Her leadership helps farmers confront the unpredictable impacts of climate change. Through collaboration with Heifer Ecuador, the Association established a shared savings fund under her guidance, allowing women farmers to access small loans and build resilience against climate and economic shocks.