Comparative evaluation of traditional and agroecological transition pea farms in Nariño, Colombia

Abstract

Despite the predominance of the traditional agricultural approach in pea production in Candagán, a small suburban countryside district of the municipality of Santacruz, department of Nariño, an agroecological transition experience has been established for five years seeking a different form of socio-environmental relationship. Due to the importance of this type of proposal for agriculture, a comparative evaluation of traditional and agroecological transition pea farms in Nariño was developed. For this purpose, farmer innovation practices associated with the crop were described, and sustainability was estimated based on 26 indicators that allowed identifying Critical Sustainability Points (CSP) and the General Sustainability Index. The results showed differences in the two approaches' social, environmental, economic, and technical-productive characteristics. In addition, two CSP were identified for Candagán that can hinder agroecological establishment. This study shows some strategies developed by farmers that could be integrated into sustainable pea farm design.