Transitioning to silvopastoral forestry. Testing the common drivers of farmer adoption in the Colombian Amazon

Abstract

Current land use systems in the Amazon largely consist of extensive conventional livestock operations that drive deforestation, degrade soil ecosystems, and tend to be socioeconomically unsustainable. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been promoted for decades as an alternative but widespread uptake has yet to be seen. We explore the main drivers and barriers to uptake through a bespoke survey of 172 farms in the Caquetá region of the Colombian Amazon split equally between adoption and non-adoption. Pearson’s chi-square tests and logistic regression models are used to analyse the effects of categorical and continuous predictor variables on a binary adoption variable. Results show that knowledge gaps, years of experience in farming, as well as infrastructure issues around poor road access were negatively related to adoption, while perception of SPS benefits, proximity to other SPS farms, training in SPS, and understanding of SPS were positively related to adoption with statistical significance. The most promising intervention strategies involve addr­essing knowledge gaps via training and specialised extension and improving market access by removing regulatory barriers and strengthening demand for agroforestry products.