Abstract
San Andrés, Providence, and Santa Catalina were declared a biosphere reserve in the year 2000; as an effort to protect biodiversity and to promote sustainable development. This declaration entails the development of sustainable economic activities that ensure environmental conservation and the community’s wellbeing. Surveys and interviews were used to determine the characteristics of small-scale agro-industry and the perceptions about its sustainability as a livelihood strategy for the Archipelago. The study concludes that agro-industry, as it is currently practiced in the Archipelago, is not sustainable in the long-term. However, it has potential to become a sustainable livelihood strategy. This study calls for efforts to strengthen agriculture and protect local agro-industry production, aiming for a steady supply of raw materials for agro-industry and an assurance of local markets for the products. Further studies on adapting and coping strategies and the contributions that modern technology might offer to artisanal agro-industry are suggested.
Highlights
Promoting and supporting family agro-industry livelihood systems could provide alternative livelihood opportunities for rural people and enhance the possibility for local development
The focus of this paper is on the livelihood of rural people engaged in agro-industry in San Andrés, Old Providence, and Santa Catalina Islands, an archipelago belonging to Colombia and located in the southwestern Caribbean
By describing key characteristics of small-scale agro-industrial systems in the Archipelago and analyzing the importance of agro-industry for rural households’ livelihood, this paper intends to provide a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable livelihood in the islands and the need for support to be provided to small-scale agro-industry
Summary
Promoting and supporting family agro-industry livelihood systems could provide alternative livelihood opportunities for rural people and enhance the possibility for local development. The focus of this paper is on the livelihood of rural people engaged in agro-industry in San Andrés, Old Providence, and Santa Catalina Islands, an archipelago belonging to Colombia and located in the southwestern Caribbean. This is a first approach to providing a general description of the assets, capabilities, and activities of rural households engaged in agro-industry, and the institutions and organizations that have an impact on them. By describing key characteristics of small-scale agro-industrial systems in the Archipelago and analyzing the importance of agro-industry for rural households’ livelihood, this paper intends to provide a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable livelihood in the islands and the need for support to be provided to small-scale agro-industry
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