Youth in livestock and the power of education: The case of “Heirs of Tradition” from Colombia, 2012–2020

Abstract

Low schooling rates among livestock producing families are found to be key in preventing an effective generational transfer and gender and social equality in Colombia. Simultaneously, this low literacy rate is now understood as a critical factor hindering the sector's productivity and sustainability. While academic approximations to Colombian rurality have considered the importance of education as a means to integrate national peasantry, coverage still falls short. In this study we approach such subjects through the examination of the case study Heirs of Tradition, an initiative carried out by Alquería, a major dairy company. Our objectives are to assess the impact achieved in terms of generational transfer and gender equity in a modernizing dairy sector, right in the midst of armed confrontation. We based our analysis on in-depth interviews and the review of primary and secondary sources. Findings suggest that, first, cooperation between actors is crucial to address generational transfer and second, education and technical support can both transform the low schooling rates amongst rural producers and contribute to closing the gender gap that persists in the sector. We also highlight the achievements and lessons learned, underscoring the issues that could be better addressed and overall emphasizing how the continuity of such ventures favors knowledge transfer and empowers communities.