Este trabajo tiene por objeto indicar la forma cómo se concibe el manejo productivo y ambiental de 45 fincas cafeteras certificadas por Comercio Justo Fairtrade del municipio de Piendamó, veredas Once de Noviembre, El Carmen, El Agrado, Villa Nueva y San Isidro, que hacen parte de la Asociación Nuevo Futuro; así mismo plantear alternativas de mejoramiento en aspectos críticos de los sistemas de producción.
El manejo ambiental de la norma Fairtrade se caracteriza por promover buenas prácticas agrícolas y ambientales sostenibles, fomentando la conservación de los recursos naturales, minimizando los riesgos de deterioro ambiental en el manejo de suelo, agua, plaguicidas, biodiversidad, y residuos sólidos. Sin embargo, a los caficultores les hace falta compromiso para cumplir con la totalidad de los requisitos básicos y de desarrollo de la normatividad, como se evidenció en visitas técnicas a las fincas.
Los resultados obtenidos y tabulados en el formato de inspección interna de la Asociación Nuevo Futuro, permitieron determinar que el 75,56 % de las fincas presentan problemas de erosión; en la mayoría de los sistemas productivos se observa la escasez de agua, principalmente en tiempo de sequía; el 17,78 % no utiliza un sistema de tratamiento de aguas mieles; el 24,24 % no dispone de un sistema de trampa de grasas, el 17,78 % no presenta espacios propicios para corredores biológicos, 60,47 % ni manejan ni regulan el sombrío del café, el 2,22 % hace uso de semillas mejoradas, el 24,24 % no hace manejo de residuos sólidos, el 11,11 % no hace manejo de residuos orgánicos y la mayor parte de los asociados no manejan plaguicidas de manera eficiente. No obstante, se encontraron productores que manifiestan su propósito de convertir sus parcelas en sistemas de producción sostenible.
Finalmente se elaboraron propuestas tendientes a subsanar debilidades de las fincas productoras de café, dando un enfoque de manejo integral, donde las principales actividades productivas efectuadas constituyan una sinergia del componente ambiental y productivo.
This paper is intended to indicate the way the production and environmental management of 45 coffee farms is conceived; and to propose alternatives for improving critical aspects of some production systems. Several farms of the Piendamó municipality, i.e. of the Once de Noviembre, El Carmen, El Agrado, Villa Nueva and San Isidro villages are certified by Fairtrade and make part of the Asociación Nuevo Futuro.
The environmental management Fairtrade standards promote good sustainable agricultural and environmental practices which promote the conservation of natural resources, thus minimizes the risks of environmental degradation in terms of management of soil, water, pesticides, biodiversity, and solid waste. However, as a result of field work visits, lacking commitment of the farmers was evidenced, concerning the fulfillment of the basic standards requirements.
The results obtained and registered in internal inspection forms of the Asociación Nuevo Futuro revealed that 75,56 % of the farms have erosion problems; water shortages especially during drought times are observed on most of the farm production systems; 17,78 % do not use a flush water treatment system linked to the coffee post-harvest process; 24,24 % do not have a grease trap system; 17,78 % do not have biological corridor areas; 60,47 % do not establish nor manage shade regulation of coffee crops, and most of the members do not use no manage pesticides efficiently. The results also show that 2,22 % of the farmers use improved seeds, 24,24 % practice solid waste management, and 11,11 % do organic waste management. Nevertheless, there are farmers who declare their intention to convert their farms to sustainable production systems.
Finally, proposals tending to an integral management approach were designed to solve problems of coffee farms, where the environmental component should constitute a synergy with the production activities.
This paper is intended to indicate the way the production and environmental management of 45 coffee farms is conceived; and to propose alternatives for improving critical aspects of some production systems. Several farms of the Piendamó municipality, i.e. of the Once de Noviembre, El Carmen, El Agrado, Villa Nueva and San Isidro villages are certified by Fairtrade and make part of the Asociación Nuevo Futuro.
The environmental management Fairtrade standards promote good sustainable agricultural and environmental practices which promote the conservation of natural resources, thus minimizes the risks of environmental degradation in terms of management of soil, water, pesticides, biodiversity, and solid waste. However, as a result of field work visits, lacking commitment of the farmers was evidenced, concerning the fulfillment of the basic standards requirements.
The results obtained and registered in internal inspection forms of the Asociación Nuevo Futuro revealed that 75,56 % of the farms have erosion problems; water shortages especially during drought times are observed on most of the farm production systems; 17,78 % do not use a flush water treatment system linked to the coffee post-harvest process; 24,24 % do not have a grease trap system; 17,78 % do not have biological corridor areas; 60,47 % do not establish nor manage shade regulation of coffee crops, and most of the members do not use no manage pesticides efficiently. The results also show that 2,22 % of the farmers use improved seeds, 24,24 % practice solid waste management, and 11,11 % do organic waste management. Nevertheless, there are farmers who declare their intention to convert their farms to sustainable production systems.
Finally, proposals tending to an integral management approach were designed to solve problems of coffee farms, where the environmental component should constitute a synergy with the production activities.
