SOCIOECONOMIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL FEATURES OF SMALL FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN THE TOWNS OF TAMESIS AND CARAMANTA, COLOMBIA, 2019-2022

Abstract

This article describes socioeconomic and organizational features of small agricultural producer organizations in the Southwestern Antioquia municipalities of Támesis and Caramanta within a rationale of solidarity economy, aiming to build trust, agreements despite the participants’ diversity and heterogeneity, unity of criteria in management and self-management, collective actions and dialogue between wisdoms in organizational management to strive for satisfying needs, aspirations and desires, by means of community practices. The methodological strategy, following an ethnographic approach, allowed to describe, analyze and interpret solidary practices in the aforementioned aspects. Findings suggest that associations recognize how important is to join efforts organizational management to achieve common goals. This means that the outcomes of joint work and shared management, acknowledged by participants, should be equitably distributed, as a part of an ongoing solidarity and community building. However, it is required, among other things, strengthening the associating ability, economic resources, networking and negotiating power with the State, not to mention  their autonomy vis-à-vis public and private sectors.