On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, a technical visit was conducted at a banana plantation in Balao to carry out studies aimed at implementing engineering solutions to address flooding. The activity took place in person from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and included a guided inspection by the farm’s technical staff, who explained the damage caused by the flooding of the Balao River.
Representatives from the Center for Research and Applied Projects in Technology (CIPAT-ESPOL) and the Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) participated in the event. Representing CIPAT were Fernando Morante, Ph.D., director of the center, and Jairo Dueñas, MSc., a research technician; while representing FICT was Sebastián Suárez, MSc., a laboratory technician. The tour allowed for a direct observation of the impacted areas, including sites with erosion, damage to crops, and damage to productive infrastructure.
The activity enabled a preliminary assessment through a combination of field observation and aerial surveys using drones. This information serves as a key input for subsequent technical analysis, focused on risk assessment, planning mitigation measures, and decision-making for the recovery and sustainable management of the territory.
Initiatives of this kind strengthen the ties between academia and the private sector by generating technical information that is useful for addressing environmental issues affecting communities and economic activities. They also contribute to the development of evidence-based solutions aligned with the institution’s mission to contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 13: Life on Land
