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How Close Are We to Self-Provisioning? A Look at the Livelihood Strategies of Rural Households in the Southern Andean Region of Colombia

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  • Héctor Eduardo Hernández

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia
    Grupo de Investigación en Agroecosistemas y Conservación en Bosques Amazónicos GAIA, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180002, Colombia
    Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué 730001, Colombia)

  • Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia
    Grupo de Investigación en Agroecosistemas y Conservación en Bosques Amazónicos GAIA, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180002, Colombia
    Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia)

  • Isabel Gutiérrez-Montes

    (CATIE-Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, Turrialba 30501, Costa Rica)

  • Juan Carlos Suárez

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia
    Grupo de Investigación en Agroecosistemas y Conservación en Bosques Amazónicos GAIA, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180002, Colombia
    Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia)

  • Hernán J. Andrade

    (Grupo de Investigación PROECUT, Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué 730001, Colombia)

  • Angie Paola Bernal

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180001, Colombia)

  • Fernando Casanoves

    (CATIE-Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, Turrialba 30501, Costa Rica)

  • Cornelia Butler Flora

    (Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1070, USA)

Abstract

Production for self-provisioning contributes to food security in rural territories; however, studies have indicated that this capacity is limited. We analyzed the impact of livelihood strategies on self-provisioning conditions in 162 rural households in the department of Huila, Colombia. We analyzed: a. source of foods; b. composition of home gardens; c. push and pull factors towards self-provisioning. We found that rural households are 79% dependent on grocery stores for their food. Only 51% of households have a home garden, with limited plant species diversity. Capacity for self-provisioning varies according to the livelihood strategies and capitals endowment of the household. Those households with a greater diversity of agricultural activities have higher capacity for self-provisioning. Conditions that are often the main objective of rural development programs, such as improving the economic income of families, turn out to be contradictory to the capacity to produce the food itself. For example, the larger the area to grow crops or keep livestock and the better the economic income, the greater the external dependence on food.

Suggested Citation

  • Héctor Eduardo Hernández & Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez & Isabel Gutiérrez-Montes & Juan Carlos Suárez & Hernán J. Andrade & Angie Paola Bernal & Fernando Casanoves & Cornelia Butler Flora, 2022. "How Close Are We to Self-Provisioning? A Look at the Livelihood Strategies of Rural Households in the Southern Andean Region of Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2504-:d:755583
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    1. Pedro Alexander, Velasquez-Vasconez & Astrid Viviana, Santacruz Benavides & Wilson Giovanny, Enríquez Rueda, 2024. "Farmer Preferences Regarding Andean Fruit Crops Across Six Municipalities in the Department of Nariño, Colombia," Journal of Agriculture and Crops, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 10(2), pages 50-58, 04-2024.

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