Sustainability evaluation : challenges smallholding coffee farmers confronting in Colombia

Abstract: Smallholding coffee farmers in Colombia face many obstacles to satisfy their needs due to a changed climate, a low coffee price and the lack of saved financial capital, that in turns creates a vulnerability to unpredictable events. An increased sustainability in those smallholding systems could therefore be crucial. The objectives of this study were to identify sustainability constraints experienced by smallholding coffee farmers among two cooperatives in Colombia. Likewise to explore the usefulness of FAO:s sustainability tool “Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA)” in the context of small-holding coffee systems. The study was conducted by the use of SAFA smallholder app and a participatory consultation, which evaluated four aspects of sustainability: environmental, social, economic and organizational governance, at male and female farmers from two coffee cooperatives. The results highlight that the farmers sustainability challenges were seen to be greatest due to climate and insects related losses and a low income. For them to meet these challenges, the financial capital was understood to be an obstacle. Obtaining external advice and help was often therefore seen as an opportunity to achieve those challenges. The SAFA tool gave in whole, a distinct illustration of the farm’s sustainability, while some parts of the configuration were perceived as not fully adapted to small farmers in developing countries.