Adaption strategies for the sustainability for coffee producers and ecosystems in the Colombian Andean region

Colombia (Andean Coffee-growing region - Phase II)

Geographical coverage

Geographical scale of the assessment Sub-regional,National
Country or countries covered Colombia
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name

The project area is located in the southern-central coffee-growing region of Colombia, occupying a surface of 192,823 hectares (ha). It is distributed in three pilot sites located in the departments of Quindío, Valle del Cauca, and Nariño, and includes 13 municipalities

Conceptual framework, methodology and scope

Assessment objectives

To create an enabling environment for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in coffee productive landscapes that contributes to both the livelihoods of the local populations and global environmental benefits. -Increased economic incentives generated by catalyzing payments for ecosystem services to attract and keep farmers committed to growing biodiversity-friendly coffee - Increased and stable income from certified and non-certified products grown on coffee farms that protect biodiversity of global importance. - Strengthened capacities of municipalities to advance landscape-based planning in the coffee producing region to support the economic and ecological long- term viability of biodiversity-friendly coffee farms. -Successful project outcomes are replicated in other municipalities through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.

Mandate for the assessment

The main stakeholders of the project include 18,270 coffee growers (12,321 from Nariño; 2,476 from Quindío; and 3.473 from Valle del Cauca) from the 13 selected municipalities who are unionized in the Coffee Federation

Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment

Other (please specify)

URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted

System(s) assessed

  • Inland water
  • Forest and woodland
  • Cultivated/Agricultural land
  • Mountain

Species groups assessed

Ecosystem services/functions assessed

Provisioning

  • Food
  • Water
  • Timber/fibres

Regulating

  • Climate regulation
  • Regulation of water flows
  • Regulation of water quality
  • Waste treatment
  • Erosion prevention
  • Maintainence of soil fertility

Supporting Services/Functions

  • Habitat maintenance
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Soil formation and fertility
  • Primary production
  • Life cycle maintenance
  • Maintenance of genetic diversity

Cultural Services

  • Recreation and tourism
  • Inspiration for culture
  • Art and design

Scope of assessment includes

Drivers of change in systems and services

Yes

Impacts of change in services on human well-being

Yes

Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed

Yes

Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment

Yes

Timing of the assessment

Year assessment started

2011

Year assessment finished

Ongoing

If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish

2015

Periodicity of assessment

One off

Assessment outputs

Website(s)

Report(s)

Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)

Journal publications

Training materials

Other documents/outputs

Tools and processes

Tools and approaches used in the assessment

  • Trade-off analysis
  • Geospatial analysis
  • Indicators
  • Economic valuation
  • Social (non-monetary) valuation
  • Ecosystem mapping
  • Stakeholder consultations
  • Response options

Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component

Key stakeholder groups engaged

The main stakeholders of the project include 18,270 coffee growers (12,321 from Nariño; 2,476 from Quindío; and 3.473 from Valle del Cauca) from the 13 selected municipalities who are unionized in the Coffee Federation. Additionally, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and environmental and community associations of small local producers representing civil society are also active in the project’s pilot sites. Public municipal entities include the planning offices within the mayors’ administrations and UMATAS, which are responsible for implementing the Land Zoning Plans (POT) and for promoting the municipalities’ development.

At the regional level, the CDCs represent and promote the image of the coffee sector. The CDCs are the sector’s regional steering committees. The Chambers of Commerce guide and promote trade for different productive sectors, including special coffees and other biodiversity products. The National Learning Service (SENA) and the CARs are included among the key government stakeholders who are responsible for the education and technical capacity-building at the regional level. CARs also regulate and control the use of natural resources. The Governors’ offices of each department, through the Secretariats of Agriculture and Economic Development, are responsible for defining policies and investment levels for agricultural development and production.

Key national-level stakeholders are the Environmental and the Agriculture Ministries, which are responsible for the definition of the sector’s environmental and production standards and related policies. The most relevant private stakeholder at the national level is the National Coffee Federation.

The number of people directly involved in the assessment process

10-100

Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge

  • Scientific information only
  • Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
  • Traditional/local knowledge

Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment

Assessment reports peer reviewed

No

Data

Accessibility of data used in assessment

Not available

Policy impact

Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions

Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment

No

Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews

Capacity building

Capacity building needs identified during the assessment

Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity

Network and sharing experiences, Access to funding, Workshops, Communication and awareness raising

How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders

Knowledge generation

Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment

How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders

Additional relevant information