Production for Self-consumption, Biodiversity and Territorial Embeddedness in a Peasant Area of the Municipality of Yolombó (Colombia)

Abstract

Production for self-consumption (PSC) is often approached as a marginal practice. It is not well studied or without considering sufficiently its connections with natural resources and collective life. This study addresses PSC by presenting the results of research realized in the Colombian municipality of Yolombó. In this research agriculture, agroecological management, biodiversity at the farm and landscape scale, community relations, and the role of women were studied in an integrated way. The study registered 143 bird species at territory level and 183 species used for food and other purposes at the farm level. PSC is found to contribute 56 % of the volume of food for diets and 40 % of its economic value. Peasant women manage 75 % of species and stimulate exchanges of food. It is concluded that PSC contributes to varied diets, to a higher level of biodiversity enriching the landscape matrix, and is part of the autonomy strategy that allows for the survival of peasants and the territory, with women being key to maintaining these collective livelihoods.