La actividad cafetalera en Los Santos: diagnóstico para un análisis de los medios de vida en la agrocadena. (SDT 002_2009)
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Fecha
2008-12
Autores
Valenciano Salazar, Jorge Andrey
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Editor
Centro Internacional de Política Económica para el Desarrollo Sostenible (CINPE)
Resumen
El presente documento pretende presentar una visión general sobre la Región de Los Santos (específicamente los cantones de Tarrazú, Dota y León Cortes) desde el punto de vista económico, institucional y ambiental; todos estos aspectos en relación al cultivo del café, el cual es el cultivo predominante en la región. El objetivo de este cuaderno de trabajo es presentar un diagnostico general sobre las presiones sufridas por las familias cafetaleras de la región, específicamente: plagas, precios y clima. Se busca determinar algunas de las estrategias que han seguido las familias cafetaleras para adaptarse a las presiones y de esa forma poder mantener y desarrollar sus niveles de vida1 . Además, se presenta de manera general las estructuras de comercialización del café de la zona, buscando introducir un análisis de cadenas. La metodología utilizada se baso en revisión de bibliografía, búsquedas por Internet, entrevistas con instituciones relacionadas con la producción de café en la región (ICAFE, MAG, Cetro Agrícola Cantonal, Beneficios de la Zona y productores de café de la región). Dentro de los principales resultados encontramos que para enfrentar los precios bajos los beneficios han buscado nuevas alternativas de comercialización del café, específicamente: mercado justo, denominación de origen (explotando la calidad del café de la zona), generar un mayor valor agregado mediante la diversificación del producto final enfocado al café de calidad y a la presentación de café molido; ello ha obligado a las personas a generar procesos agrícolas que garanticen la calidad del grano. Además las familias han buscado otras alternativas como la siembra de aguacate para diversificar la producción cuando los precios del café son bajos. Para combatir las plagas los productores se han enfocado en la introducción de prácticas de conservación suelos, mejorar sistemas de recolección e introducir sombra en los cultivos; el combate químico también ha sido una estrategia. Por último, la presión del clima no ha sido muy tomada en cuenta por los caficultores de la zona al momento de hacer el diagnostico.
The paper attempts to present a general overview regarding Los Santos Region (specifically, the Tarrazu, Dota and Leon Cortes cantons) from an economic, institutional and environmental point of view, all of which as seen from the coffee growth, which is the predominant crop in the region. The main objective of the study is to submit a general diagnosis about the pressure suffered by the coffee farmer´s families in the region, specifically, plagues, prices and climate. I seek to determine some strategies that have been employed by the families involved in this activity to adapt to the price, climate and plague pressures, as to be able to keep and develop their livelihoods. Furthermore, the coffee commercialization structures are presented in a general way, seeking to introduce the chain analysis. The methodology was based on review of literature, Internet searches, interviews with institutions related to the production of coffee in the region (ICAF, MAG, Centro Agricola Cantonal de León Cortes, local cofee milling and coffee producers in the region. Amongst the main findings one can see that to face the low prices, the coffee mills ("beneficios") have seeked new alternatives for commercializing coffee, specifically: fair trade, denomination of origin (exploiting the quality of the coffee in the region), to generate a larger value-added through the diversification of the final product, focusing on quality coffee and the presentation of ground coffee, which has forced people to generate processes that guarantee the quality of the bean. Furthermore, the families have seeked other alternatives, such as planting avocadoes to diversify the production when coffee prices are low. To combat plagues, the producers have focused on introduction soil conservation practices, improvements in the harvesting systems, intruding shades in the cultivated areas, chemical control has also been a strategy. Finally, climate pressures have not been taken under much consideration by coffee growers in the area at the time the study was carried out.
The paper attempts to present a general overview regarding Los Santos Region (specifically, the Tarrazu, Dota and Leon Cortes cantons) from an economic, institutional and environmental point of view, all of which as seen from the coffee growth, which is the predominant crop in the region. The main objective of the study is to submit a general diagnosis about the pressure suffered by the coffee farmer´s families in the region, specifically, plagues, prices and climate. I seek to determine some strategies that have been employed by the families involved in this activity to adapt to the price, climate and plague pressures, as to be able to keep and develop their livelihoods. Furthermore, the coffee commercialization structures are presented in a general way, seeking to introduce the chain analysis. The methodology was based on review of literature, Internet searches, interviews with institutions related to the production of coffee in the region (ICAF, MAG, Centro Agricola Cantonal de León Cortes, local cofee milling and coffee producers in the region. Amongst the main findings one can see that to face the low prices, the coffee mills ("beneficios") have seeked new alternatives for commercializing coffee, specifically: fair trade, denomination of origin (exploiting the quality of the coffee in the region), to generate a larger value-added through the diversification of the final product, focusing on quality coffee and the presentation of ground coffee, which has forced people to generate processes that guarantee the quality of the bean. Furthermore, the families have seeked other alternatives, such as planting avocadoes to diversify the production when coffee prices are low. To combat plagues, the producers have focused on introduction soil conservation practices, improvements in the harvesting systems, intruding shades in the cultivated areas, chemical control has also been a strategy. Finally, climate pressures have not been taken under much consideration by coffee growers in the area at the time the study was carried out.