Resumo

BARRIENTOS, Juan Carlos  e  CARDONA, José Ómar. Constrained adoption of new crops by smallholders: the case of aromatic herbs in the region of Sumapaz, Cundinamarca. Agron. colomb. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.1, pp.99-106. ISSN 0120-9965.

The region of Sumapaz has pioneered the commercial production of aromatic herbs in Colombia. Despite several attempts to establish and spread these crops since the mid 90's until early 2008, the goal has not been met. Based on five cases of adoption of the crops, the present research set as its main goal to identify the main causes that prevented said adoption by the small farmers of the Sumapaz region. The information was gathered through semi-structured questionnaire interviews aimed at producers and experts. A series of deficiencies were found to be critical determinants of the non adoption of the crops, namely those regarding production technology and its application, technical assistance, logistics, organization of production, product quality and quantity, and market information (which was sometimes totally lacking). The latter factor, together with deficient technical information, poor organization of production and limited resources of small farmers, has restricted the adoption of the new crops. As a result, the farmers have not been able to satisfy the overseas demand for fresh aromatic herbs in a sustainable mode, and this has finally led them out of the business

Palavras-chave : rural economy; organizations; case studies; technical aid.

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