The purpose of this event, organized by Heifer Peru and Heifer Ecuador, was to integrate farm organizations in Peru and Ecuador through shared reflection on contributions, lessons learned and challenges within the framework of the Bi-National Project and processes of social economic and productive development.

It also served as a forum for discussing the involvement of small farm communities and their commitment to food sovereignty, as well as for sharing their experience with the various thematic issues addressed by the Bi-National Project. These thematic areas are: a). Capacity building and strengthening of organizations, b). Sustainable management of natural resources; and c). Agro-ecological production and rural enterprise.

The idea of promoting integration among farm organizations in Peru and Ecuador emerged from various encounters, sharing of experiences and discussions among the technical teams, which reflected a need for a broader forum for discussion of issues of mutual interest related to development along the border and reinforcement of bonds of friendship and peace between Peru and Ecuador.

The First Encounter of Small Farmers brought together 81 participants, 47 from Ecuador and 35 from Peru, involved in various grassroots and second-tier farm organizations.