A new doctoral study from the University of Gothenburg examines how the global avocado boom is impacting peasant communities and their environment in Colombia. Juanita Esguerra Rezk, a doctor in peace and development research, conducted eight months of fieldwork in the town of Cajamarca in the Colombian Andes, where avocados are cultivated both by smallholder peasants and landless workers on large plantations.
Smallholder peasants who began growing avocados for export about a decade ago have reported improved living conditions. They describe being able to pay off debts, purchase land, acquire vehicles, and fund their children's education in urban areas. In contrast, landless peasants have not seen the same benefits. Avocados take up to four years to produce a harvest, leaving them reliant on short-term employment with large plantations. During plantation establishment, workers—especially women—perform heavy labor for low wages. Some women, often single mothers, reported being paid less than a day's standard wage while digging planting holes.
Gendered labor divisions on plantations sometimes led women to administrative or supervisory roles, offering slightly better pay and mobility. Still, many expressed a desire to own land and viewed plantation jobs as a temporary means to that goal. Esguerra Rezk noted that while these roles offered income and independence, the long-term aspiration remained land ownership.
The study also highlighted environmental concerns. Large plantations were found to encroach on moorlands, deforest wax palm forests, and use water sources without authorization. In March 2024, the regional environmental authority CORTOLIMA sanctioned the international avocado exporter Green Super Food (GSF) for such violations. Smallholder farms, in contrast, were often required to meet certification standards like Global G.A.P., which encouraged practices such as reduced pesticide use, forest conservation, and beekeeping. Despite these practices, small-scale farmers remain concerned about the environmental future of agriculture in the face of climate change.
For more information:
Linda Genborg
University of Gothenburg
Tel: +46 31 786 64 29
Email: [email protected]
www.gu.se