Participatory evaluation of sustainability in the agricultural association of women entrepreneurs of Sotaquirá-Boyacá.

Abstract

The sustainability of agroecosystems is essential for rural development, particularly within smallholder farming systems. This study aimed to analyze the sustainability of 12 Production Units (UP) affiliated with the Sotaquirá Women Entrepreneurs' Agricultural Association (Boyacá, Colombia), using the Framework for Evaluating Natural Resource Management Systems with Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS). The research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods and utilizing Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools with purposive sampling. The assessment was structured around four dimensions: social, economic, environmental, and gender, each with five indicators measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The findings indicated that most UP achieved medium (3) and high (4) levels in areas such as native seed conservation, soil management, and water management. However, limitations were evident in access to the internet and communication technologies, rural financing, economic diversification, and task distribution, with low (2) and very low (1) results. Based on these results, strengthening the organization of family work is proposed, given its influence on the management of the economic resources of the production units. It is also suggested that agroecological practices be promoted and that field schools be consolidated as spaces for training and community support.