Evaluation of the agroecological transition in family farm units in southwestern Colombia

The transition to agroecology is one of the main strategies for increasing the sustainability of peasant, family, ethnic, and community agriculture in Colombia. However, it is unclear to what extent farmers have adopted the elements of agroecology. This study characterized the agroecological transition of 145 family farm units (FFU) in the southwestern Colombian Andes, using FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Agroecological adoption among family farmers units averages 47%, with coffee producers leading at 60%. Low adoption is linked to limited nutrient recycling, seed use, and high external input dependence. Additionally, we identified three types of producers based on their production systems: coffee producers located in temperate climates, and vegetable and livestock-potato producers both located in cold climates. Coffee producers exhibit the highest levels of transition because they have a platform for co-creating agroecology knowledge and have adopted, to a greater extent, ecological practices in their production units. To accelerate the agroecological transition, several actions can be implemented, including promoting peasant schools for the dissemination of agroecological practices and generating political advocacy. Likewise, implementing support programs for organizations that allow them to invest in access to land, infrastructure, equipment, and technologies necessary to improve their sustainability.