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The long-standing conflict in Colombia has inflicted substantial costs on the population and the economic development of the country. Since conflict occurs mainly in the country's rural areas, the economic impacts of violence are higher for these territories. The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of armed conflict on Colombia's rural population and the current conditions of rural areas as well as discuss whether the peace agreements with FARC may contribute to improve these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the impact of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena on both precipitation and agricultural production in the Department of Atlántico. Historically, droughts, anomalous rainy periods, and floods have constantly affected this region. Findings show that under El Niño conditions, rainfall is below average, while La Niña causes above-average rainfall. Sesame and banana yields increase when rainfall is above average (usually under La Niña conditions) during the short dry season and both the first and second rainy seasons. The above-average rainfall in the dry season has a positive impact on cassava yields. Corn yields increase if the recorded rainfall in the short dry season is above average and decrease under above-average precipitation in the second rainy season. Bean yields decrease when rainfall is above average during the first and second rainy seasons and increase when rainfall is above average in the short dry season. Cotton yields decrease in cases of above-average rainfall in the second rainy season, while sorghum does not present noticeable responses to precipitation anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the production system of Oxalis tuberosa, Ullucus Tuberosus and Tropaeolum tuberosum in the province of Sugamuxi, Boyacá. Using random sampling, polling, interviews and rural diagnosis it was established that production areas present limitations for agriculture. 84.4% of production is destined for personal consumption. 46.8% of producers are senior adults whereas young adults are less interested in agriculture. 72% of people interviewed in establishments selling food could not identify the different tubers and despite the deep roots of tradition in older people, there is a risk these species will be lost. Contrary to this tendency, the Republic of New Zealand, where demand for tubers is increasing, is encouraging their genetic enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the low production of high quality fodder and environmental issue related to livestock at the regional level, this paper presents the results o research conducted in livestock production systems of tropical high Cauca Department, among the municipalities Silvia, Totoro, and Sotará Puracé. The study aimed to establish a baseline of tree and shrub species with fitness forage utilization in beef production systems for cold climates department dropping a line resulted in 17 families are currently being used by different arrangements livestock. La research systems developed from the recognition and primary data collection with the help of local producers, followed by th systematization and analysis for the identification of those species with highe occurrence and use. Although there were a significant number of species further study is necessary in some of these, since information about thei phenological development and behavior in cattle production systems is still unknown. Thus, the findings constitute a source of information for the design of livestock production systems more efficient in cold climates, while the basis for the formulation of future research proposals related to the field of agroforestry regional ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture has drastically transformed landscapes and ecosystems on this planet. These changes alter the supply of goods and ecosystem services thereby impacting human well-being. There are significant environmental impacts associated with modern agriculture and green revolution technologies. This has promoted the development of agricultural production systems that try to reduce the environmental impact and/or improve the well-being of producers. Agricultural certification is one such strategy. This set of management practices promotes agricultural production that simultaneously generates some environmental, social, economic, and quality benefits. Shade-grown coffee production is one of these environmentally-friendly management practices. This paper describes this kind of agricultural production and discusses some of the changes associated with certification as well as the impact it has had on the landscape of Aratoca (Santander). The article also analyzes the differences between certified and non-certified producers. It concludes with some suggestions for the certification process in order to make it a win-win (environment-society) situation for different kinds of coffee growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis and action model for broaching the problem of Colombian agroindustry competitiveness in the world market. The model is being built, from a long-term perspective, and its consistency is being empirically validated. The main proposition is that, to meet the conditions and requirements of the new market, Colombian agroindustry competitiveness is directly related to its capability to motivate, design, and start up agribusiness models from a territorial perspective. The analysis schema is structured on Santos' concept (1997) of a space of flows, configured by a productive sector called verticalities and of flows configured by the territory called horizontalities, as forces that articulate through a productive unit (businesses or business networks). Due to the above, territorial capability accumulation and productive specialization -by means of territorial agendas built by strategic actors- are the two driving ideas in this proposition. Yet, the two have a relation of condition and result, cause and effect. Applying the model demonstrates that a mere territorial perspective is not sufficient to achieve the entry of agroindustry into the world market and that territories find it difficult to develop competitiveness capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]