Abstract
Cooperatives in the international coffee sector can help build farmer capacity, increase coffee productivity, and improve farmer welfare. The purpose of this research was to examine Guatemalan coffee cooperatives to determine unique attributes, social capital perspectives, and social impacts on small holder farmers. Four perspectives on social capital and economic development were examined across cases: (a) the communitarian view, (b) the networks view, (c) the institutional view, and (d) the synergy view. The research design was mini-ethnographic case study with cross-case synthesis. The emerging themes were (a) economic impacts, (b) multiple generation farmers, (c) capacity building trainings to improve crop management, (d) use of shade trees and organic matter for soil amendments, (e) service learning/agritourism, and (f) use of microloans to enhance economic development. Based upon the exploratory cases, each community had similar and unique internal and external interactions that could be triangulated with social capital perspectives. Networks were formed between members of the co-ops (intracommunity) giving a sense of community and purpose (i.e. agritourism, service learning) and external sources (i.e. workshops/trainings and a USAID research plot). The concept of social capital perspective gives insight into an explanation of economic development.
Highlights
Introduction and Problem StatementGuatemala, despite a rich cultural tradition and vibrant history, is considered one of the poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, due to unequal incomes, malnourished children, political insecurity, and a lack of skilled workers and infrastructure
The purpose of this research was to examine three coffee cooperatives that are working with ECG to determine unique attributes, social capital perspectives, and social impacts on small holder farmers in Guatemala
Case study is best used as a research design to illuminate decisions made within a bounded system and the results or impacts of those decisions (Yin, 2018)
Summary
Despite a rich cultural tradition and vibrant history, is considered one of the poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, due to unequal incomes, malnourished children, political insecurity, and a lack of skilled workers and infrastructure (cia.gov/the-worldfactbook). Many of these factors result from the destabilization of Guatemala’s political structure and its agricultural sector. Around 50% of Guatemala’s population resides in rural areas and relies on agriculture to meet daily needs (Aguilar-Støen, Taylor, & Castellanos, 2016). Over 70% of those impoverished live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their livelihood and food source. Agricultural means for improved livelihoods are critical for these regions of Guatemala
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