Systemic analysis of the economic sustainability of family agricultural production units in a Peasant community of Lebrija, Colombia

Abstract

The complexity of the current problems in the Colombian countryside puts at risk the sustainability of family Agricultural Production Units (UPA for its acronym in Spanish). Consequently, it becomes a fundamental study area for the improvement of the rural economy. For this reason, a documentary, field investigation was developed on a case study located in Lebrija, Colombia, for the systemic analysis of economic sustainability in 10 UPAS promoters of sustainable agriculture. The results allowed to establish the effectiveness of the ES in the Characterization of UPAs. It was identified that the lack of investment in infrastructure and appropriate technologies has made the UPAs to allocate 50% of its total area for inadequate grazing. This distribution of land threatens the sustainability of the economy of local families, given that the production and profitability of livestock are not enough for their livelihood and the maintenance of pastures. The inadequate grazing generates large amounts of manure that pollutes the environment. The above affects the congruence between the productive activities and the philosophical principles of the UPAs.