Evidence of Agroecological Performance in Production Systems Integrating Agroecology and Bioeconomy Actions Using TAPE in the Colombian Andean–Amazon Transition Zone

Yerson D. Suárez-Córdoba, Jaime A. Barrera-García, Armando Sterling (), Carlos H. Rodríguez-León and Pablo A. Tittonell
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Yerson D. Suárez-Córdoba: Programa de Maestría en Sistemas Sostenibles de Producción, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de la Amazonía, Florencia 180001, Colombia
Jaime A. Barrera-García: Programa Sostenibilidad e Intervención, Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas SINCHI, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
Armando Sterling: Programa Modelos de Funcionamiento y Sostenibilidad, Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas SINCHI, Florencia 180001, Colombia
Carlos H. Rodríguez-León: Programa Modelos de Funcionamiento y Sostenibilidad, Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas SINCHI, Florencia 180001, Colombia
Pablo A. Tittonell: Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), UPR AIDA, F-34398 Montpellier, France

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-23

Abstract: The expansion of conventional agricultural models in the Colombian Amazon has caused deforestation, biodiversity loss, and socio-environmental degradation. In response, agroecology and bioeconomy are emerging as key strategies to regenerate landscapes and foster sustainable production systems. We evaluated the agroecological performance of 25 farms in the Andean–Amazon transition zone of Colombia using FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). The analysis included land cover dynamics (2002–2024), characterization of the agroecological transition based on the 10 Elements of Agroecology, and 23 economic, environmental, and social indicators. Four farm typologies were identified; among them, Mixed Family Farms (MFF) achieved the highest transition score (CAET = 60.5%) and excelled in crop diversity (64%), soil health (SHI = 4.24), productive autonomy (VA/GVP = 0.69), and household empowerment (FMEF= 85%). Correlation analyses showed strong links between agroecological practices, economic efficiency, and social cohesion. Land cover dynamics revealed a continuous decline in forest cover (12.9% in 2002 to 7.1% in 2024) and an increase in secondary vegetation, underscoring the urgent need for restorative approaches. Overall, farms further along the agroecological transition were more productive, autonomous, and socially cohesive, strengthening territorial resilience. The application of TAPE proved robust multidimensional evidence to support agroecological monitoring and decision-making, with direct implications for land use planning, rural development strategies, and sustainability policies in the Amazon. At the same time, its sensitivity to high baseline biodiversity and to the complex socio-ecological dynamics of the Colombian Amazon underscores the need to refine the methodology in future applications. By addressing these challenges, the study contributes to the broader international debate on agroecological transitions, offering insights relevant for other tropical frontiers and biodiversity-rich regions facing similar pressures.

Keywords: agroecological transitions; sustainability; sustainable food systems; land use; multidimensional indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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