Socioeconomic characterization of the artisan community in Nariño, Colombia

Abstract

This article analyzes the socioeconomic conditions of the artisan community of Nariño, emphasizing on the three production lines identified as potential for the development of the sectors of handicrafts and leather goods in this Colombian department: Leather and embossed leather; Hats and costume jewelry, and Straw and wooden handicrafts decorated with Pasto varnish, chaff and plated teapot. Through qualitative response econometric modeling, we characterize the probability of working in the covered production lines as a function of a set of both discrete and continuous socioeconomic variables. The study highlights that the design of policies aimed at improving the organizational conditions of these sectors should address the feelings, expectations and needs of artisans, focusing on those of the community members that perceive the lowest income levels, and advance towards strengthening community relationships and partnerships under a differential approach.