¿ES POSIBLE EL DESARROLLO LOCAL SOSTENIBLE DENTRO DE LOS SISTEMAS AGROALIMENTARIOS GLOBALES? ANÁLISIS DE LA PRODUCCIÓN Y LA COMERCIALIZACIÓN DEL AGUACATE HASS EN EL SUROCCIDENTE DEL HUILA

Abstract

Sustainable development, since it was popularized in the 1980s, has permeated the decision-making of most countries around three fundamental aspects: economic, social and environmental. Agriculture presents challenges to achieve a balance in relation to these three components, because although some production systems can generate better economic income than others, ultimately it is the ecosystems that perceive negative impacts.
Currently, the cultivation of Hass avocado is expanding considerably in Huila, as this fruit is highly sought after in international markets. The objective of this research was to examine to what extent this crop and its commercialization contribute or not to the scope of what the sustainable development paradigm proposes within the global agri-food system.
The research was carried out in four municipalities in the department of Huila, totaling 43,653 hectares suitable for this crop, interviewing 8 producer associations. The approach of this research combines quantitative and qualitative methods and sources in the analysis of primary and secondary information. Among the main findings, it is found that 68% of these producers have some certification that allows them to export and thus integrate into international markets and obtain better prices, while the association provides them with better bargaining power. Finally, it is inferred that although production and marketing contribute to local economic development, it is the consumption of water that can counteract the scope of the purposes of sustainable development as proposed.