Archivo de la categoría: Volumen XVII (2019)

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION SYSTEM: OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITATIONS FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF COLOMBIA

The increasing concern about the negative environmental impacts of conventional agriculture, have led governments and farmers to consider a more sustainable production system. Organic agriculture is known to promote environmental benefits, fair relationships and decent quality of life for all involved. Therefore, the market has expanded rapidly over the last decades. Organic production is categorized as a process-oriented attribute, and thus, organic certification is now used as powerful marketing tool to prove customers the farmer’s compliance of the standards. However, smallholder farmers face several barriers to comply with the certification system, due to complexity of rules and procedures. This is the particular case of the Colombian organic food sector which despite its enormous potential to provide an extensive range of organic fruits and vegetables still undeveloped. This paper explores the attitudes and barriers faced by smallholder farmers and organic organizations staff towards the organic certification system in Colombia. Semi-structured interviews were applied on a sample of five smallholder organic farmers and five staff people involved in the organic sector. Data analysis relies on a qualitative research approach. Results indicate, on one hand, that motivations for organic agriculture have an important impact on farmer’s credibility while, on the other hand, farm size, certification body’s as well as information access and support play an important role to organic certification. Lack of market development and food prices, financial and technical assistance and human and financial capital were named as main constraints to certified organic agriculture development. Governmental institutions and certification body’s performance were criticized due to uneven organic standards interpretation and unclear policies. Sigue leyendo

Publicado en Volumen XVII (2019) | Deja un comentario

INDUSTRIA DE LA DEFENSA Y DESARROLLO DE CAPACIDADES ESTRATÉGICAS EN ECUADOR

Los principios de economía de la defensa han variado en función de las complejas condiciones que se presentan actualmente para la seguridad a nivel nacional e internacional. Cada vez más resulta vital que los países planifiquen adecuadamente los escasos recursos para cubrir sus necesidades en materia de protección y seguridad, y por tanto, el desarrollo de industrias nacionales para la generación de bienes y servicios basados en el conocimiento y la tecnología se convierte en una aspiración de los países emergentes. En el caso de Ecuador la política pública ampara el desarrollo de tal industria por lo que se abre todo un espectro para el desarrollo a nivel teórico y práctico de propuestas que promuevan de forma sostenible las relaciones entre los actores que se requieren para cumplir tal propósito. En el trabajo se realiza un análisis teórico al respecto, con la consulta de una amplia y actualizada bibliografía. Sigue leyendo

Publicado en Volumen XVII (2019) | Deja un comentario