Abstract

LISSBRANT, Sofia; ESPITIA, Paula J.P  and  MENDOZA, Andrés. Challenges faced by smallholder farmers in a former conflict area in Colombia: the case of Montes de María. Investig. desarro. [online]. 2018, vol.26, n.2, pp.6-39. ISSN 0121-3261.  https://doi.org/10.14482/indes.26.2.303.6.

This article aimed to identify challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Montes de María, a former conflict area and agricultural sub-region in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Fieldwork (September through December 2014) involved 49 workshops with 49 farming associations from the region. Using participatory rural appraisal, difficulties related to the potential execution of productive projects were identified. The main concerns of farmers were related to the productivity and/or profitability of their projects, the lack of access to technical assistance, credits and markets, and deficiency in basic capital available to the farmers. Despite numerous initiatives in Montes de María, smallholder farmers continue to suffer from poverty and cannot easily support their families through agricultural activities. The main obstacles identified were the need for improved technical assistance, access to credit for investment, and support in the commercialization of agricultural products.

Keywords : Smallholder farmers; rural development; former conflict area; peace; poverty.

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