A Competitive Model for Rural Agricultural Development: Insights from Family Farming in Lebrija, Santander, Colombia

Pablo Andrés Pérez Gutiérrez, Jossie Esteban Garzon Baquero (), Daniela Bellon Monsalve, Andrea Katherine Hernández Buitrago, Freddy Ortiz Orduz and Youseline Garavito Hernández
Additional contact information
Pablo Andrés Pérez Gutiérrez: Instituto de Investigaciones Xerira, Facultad de Ingenierías y Tecnologías, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia
Jossie Esteban Garzon Baquero: Instituto de Investigaciones Xerira, Facultad de Ingenierías y Tecnologías, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia
Daniela Bellon Monsalve: Instituto de Investigaciones Xerira, Facultad de Ingenierías y Tecnologías, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia
Andrea Katherine Hernández Buitrago: Instituto de Investigaciones Xerira, Facultad de Ingenierías y Tecnologías, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia
Freddy Ortiz Orduz: Ferragro, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia
Youseline Garavito Hernández: Grupo de Investigación en Desarrollo Empresarial Competitivo Porter, Universidad de Investigación y Desarrollo, Bucaramanga 680001, Colombia

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Family farming is essential for rural development and food security, yet it faces persistent structural barriers. This study aimed to develop a competitive model for Peasant, Family, and Community Agriculture (PFCA) in Lebrija, Colombia, by analyzing key factors affecting productivity, profitability, and competitiveness. A mixed-methods approach was used, integrating surveys, participatory workshops, and field visits across 79 family agricultural units (FAUs). Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and ordinal logistic regression (OLR) identified the impact of financial exclusion, low mechanization, and dependence on intermediaries, alongside strengths such as traditional knowledge transfer, family labor, and agroecological practices. The findings reveal a paradox: while PFCA resilience supports agricultural sustainability, it may also hinder modernization. To address this, a strategic action plan was developed with six axes: governance, commercialization, financing, technology, training, and climate mitigation. This framework provides policy recommendations for financial inclusion, direct market access, and technological innovation. The study offers a replicable model for policymakers, rural development agencies, and agricultural cooperatives, supporting sustainable and competitive family farming in Colombia and similar rural economies.

Keywords: agricultural competitiveness; sustainable rural development; family farming; food security; rural policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/5/512/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/5/512/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:5:p:512-:d:1600870

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture is currently edited by Ms. Leda Xuan

More articles in Agriculture from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().