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Recent literature on the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies empirically detected the relevance of a variety of factors relating to the behavior of producers. Dessart et al. (2019) made a precise compilation of these factors and grouped them according to their characteristics and the way in which they impact on the decision-making of individuals, with the aim of complementing economic variables (that are usually the focus of research on decision-making) with factors originating in areas such as psychology and sociology. This in order to help policy making processes to become more comprehensive and supportive to the adoption of sustainable practices. Although, Dessart et al. (2019) focus on studies carried out in Europe and the effectiveness of measures of European Union countries in terms of promoting the adoption of sustainable practices, there is an opportunity to adapt the behavioral factors proposed by them to the Latin American case. This fits into the context of a relatively recent impulse in the field of adoption studies for innovations in the agricultural sector that focuses on the inclusion of sociodemographic and psychological behaviors of individuals in the analyses in order to express their intention to adopt. Based on this, and although in-depth research in the region is necessary to confirm the impact of these behavioral factors, it is possible to adapt the framework proposed by Dessart et al. (2019). In addition, sustainable practices make up a fairly heterogeneous set of agricultural practices that have an effect on both the environment and productivity and therefore, narrowing down the analysis to a specific practice or technology is possible by making some additional adjustments. The present work proposes a qualitative pilot tool for a forage adoption decision analysis with cattle producers. The tool includes and adapts the behavioral factors detected by Dessart et al. (2019) in order to identify which ones are relevant and how they affect the primary producer's decision to adopt new forage technologies in Colombia. This tool is part of a set of valuable inputs for the construction of alternative policies and interventions in favor of the adoption of forage innovations. First, we present the conceptual structure, second a method and a series of questions are proposed in the form of a survey, and, finally, some recommendations are made for its application and further adjustment. The tool will be piloted and then applied in Colombia in 2021 (if the COVID-19 pandemic allows for it).

When examining the growth factors of the Latin American economies, it is observed that the promotion of rurality through agricultural production appears as a necessary condition. This is essential, not only because of its direct effects on food supply or job creation, but also because of its contribution to economic growth, its role in reducing poverty, inequality (IFAD, 2011) and environmental sustainability (Grisales, 2016). However, some data are in contrast to that: in recent decades, the participation of the agricultural sector in the total of economies has shown a decreasing trend across the globe. In the 1970s, the participation of this sector in GDP was significant in countries such as Colombia (30%), Brazil (20%) and Peru (19%). But already in 2009, its relevance was reduced, representing no more than 10% of the average production value of Latin American economies (Fernández et al., 2011). This scenario could be paved by the liberalization policies applied since the early 1990s, which mainly favored a limited number of large companies that were organizing themselves in value chains, leaving out a considerable number of small and medium producers, thus deriving in the wastage of the comparative advantages that would promote the participation of this sector in national production and, consequently, in profound socioeconomic consequences for the rural population (FAO, 2013). In Colombia, agricultural credit has not been immune to such dynamics: it has influenced the attenuation of this reality, and at the same time, it has been affected by the constant reforms. Although the participation of the State continues as a constant, the process of development of the credit institutions has obeyed the spirit of productivity and competitiveness, leaving aside many of the criteria in the long term. In short, these are processes that have historically influenced each other in multiple ways, and are both causes and consequences of structural and rural changes in Latin America (IFAD, 2016). These changes reveal a feeling of discomfort due to the conditions of agricultural activities, which are manifested mainly in the low technification of agriculture that generates an underutilization of land with agricultural potential, and in the high levels of poverty and social inequality. Despite progress in reducing the latter, the region continues to have the most regressive income distribution on the planet (FAO, 2013). But agricultural credit, in turn, and in the company of other political and economic elements, can be a useful tool to promote innovation, improve the allocation of resources and, properly directed, can contribute to reducing the gaps between companies, generating a cycle of economic prosperity (Abedullah et al., 2009; De la Vega et al., 2014; Echavarría et al., 2018). How has the Colombian agricultural credit system been affected and how has it intervened? A synthesis is provided by Estrada and Sandoval (2014) in their analysis of coffee credit. These authors affirm that credit is understood as a useful instrument to stimulate profitable activities, but it does not solve economic problems of a structural nature or replace a social policy. On both sides there are arguments that blur any attempt at a balance sheet. This is why the present work has been proposed to analyze the dynamics that shaped the current situation of agricultural credit. The objective of this study is to know what are the characteristics and responses that the system has had in the face of conjunctural processes, as well as to understand the processes of change derived from such situations. The aim is to break down the diversified portfolio of instruments that have been built in recent years and analyze their behavior. This also includes to review the barriers that prevent the credit system from having a greater reach among small producers in the most remote areas of the country. The study presents a central emphasis on livestock activity and its intricate path to sustainability. Its importance is indisputable: in terms of the annual value of production, livestock is equivalent to 3 times the coffee sector and about eight times the palm sector. It is the economic activity with the most presence in the Colombian countryside and contributes 1.4% of national GDP and generates around 6% of national employment (Fedegán, 2018). In turn, it is the agricultural activity with the highest occupation of the national territory and is considered one of the current drivers of deforestation in the country. These conditions reflect the low productivity of the livestock sector and are in turn a symptom of the need to generate investments in infrastructure and technologies (e.g. improved forage seeds).

How to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the producers and achieve a sustainable intensification of the cattle sector that is able to give continuity to projected increases in the demand for animal source food? Since the 1950s, formulas have been discussed and applied to answer this and similar questions. Among the multiple factors and elements that are traditionally used, this study highlights a constant in the equation: rural extension services. Although rural development does not go exclusively through extension work, it is a necessary condition to achieve progress in this matter: the creation of capacities in technical and economic matters regarding the pasture and animal management allows producers to get involved in the solution of problems they are affected by, and having these capacities allows stimulating, not only the adoption of more sustainable and productive technologies, but also a more rational use of the available resources. However, the documentation on the application of extension services in developing countries reveals the difficulties caused by multiple factors, including market failures, little participation of the private sector and the ineffectiveness of States with little capacity to reach the target population, among others (Cohen and Lemma, 2011). Nongovernmental organizations or the communities themselves are interesting alternative providers of these services, but they can also fail (Birner and Anderson, 2007). In recent decades, Colombia as an example for many other Latin American countries, has evidenced progress in planning processes, social interventions and a range of governance reforms. This includes democratization and decentralization of the different processes that include agricultural extension. These changes in governance and policies have led to an approach that seeks to improve service through greater participation of regions and departments, as well as private institutions and organizations. In this way, the objective of this work is to provide knowledge about the institutional evolution of rural extension in Colombia by identifying and analyzing those elements and processes that have culminated in the current configuration of extension services, understanding these as the processes aimed at institutional articulation that seek to promote the dynamics of innovation and value generation (Landini, 2016). The study is also about describing some case studies from the livestock sector, which were applied during the last decade with the aim of examining their development and the lessons learned that allow discussing more precise strategies for the near future.

The complex process behind the adoption of improved forages in Colombia remains largely unexplored. Despite governmental and scientific efforts to promote and disseminate the implementation of improved forages for the sake of sustainable livestock production, local livestock producers continue to extensively use native species and adoption rates of more efficient forages remain low. This study explores the dynamics behind the development and diffusion of improved forage technologies in Colombia, from the 1960's to the present through an Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) perspective. Here we map the agents involved, classify the roles they exerted over time and reconstruct the historical context in which the creation and dissemination of forage technologies in the country took form. Through the use of qualitative research tools such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and extensive archival work, we were able to identify various factors determining the course of improved forage adoption processes. First, a gradual declinement on public and private investment destined to agricultural research hindered national scientific agendas and affected the continuity of ongoing projects. Second, the primacy of interpersonal relationships further complicates this panorama as it can either interfere with or promote the use of improved forages, subjecting technology dissemination to a non-institutional realm. Thirdly, released technological packages remain incomplete and impede rising adoption rates, mainly due to both Colombia's low-latitude (and its restrictions for national seed production) and ineffective processes of training and support aimed at local livestock producers. Aside from the identification of key actors and historical trends, the study concludes by suggesting the implementation of a systematic (AIS) approach that gives account of the complex and ever changing process of forage adoption, its agents, roles, strengths and limitations so that a comprehensive diagnosis can serve as a guideline for ...

This study aims to combine theory on payments for ecosystem services (PES) with examples from practice, examining the meeting points, barriers and opportunities that have occured and can be developed by applying PES schemes for the establishment of silvopastoral systems in Colombia. This research is based on a framework in which political, economic, institutional, environmental and contextual factors are examined in order to generate a critical diagnosis of these elements in relation to the dynamics generated or that can be build from the implementation of such schemes. The implementation of PES in the country is analyzed and recommendations are provided on their effectiveness in order to integrate the opportunities and overcome the described challenges. ; Internal Review

The legal framework for the cattle sector can also be considered as public policy for its development. This can be understood as a set of incentives and sanctions, which influences the affected actors and generates changes, not only in internal behaviours and dynamics but also in values. In 2003, Colombia's legal framework for the cattle value chain saw the beginning of a period of major transformations, but it was in 2007 when a radical and complex legislation was presented to introduce the cattle sector into the context of international trade. However, the expected changes of behaviour among actors were not fully achieved by as incompliance could and still can be observed throughout the sector. This study was conducted in 2016 and has the aim to revise the legal framework for the Colombian cattle value chain and to a) analyse the underlying complexities that came with the implementation of rigid legislative processes, and b) to identify the bottlenecks considering the aim of putting the cattle sector into a global context. The methodology consists of two steps: 1) a systematic and chronological compilation of the laws, decrees, resolutions and standards, and 2) an analysis of both the institutional and social evolution of the sector over time, as well as the advances and challenges presented in terms of e.g., traceability, hygiene, animal welfare and sustainability. First results show that although important advances have been made in order to adapt the legal framework to international requirements, these are not sufficient when adequate enforcement and control mechanisms are missing. In addition, the success of public and legislative policies depends to a great extent on the context in which they are applied and the capacities actors have to understand their complexity. This study will serve decision makers in the development of targeted follow-up and improvement processes in order to ensure future competitiveness and sustainability of the cattle sector at international level. It will also serve the value chain actors as guidance on the rules that apply for their specific activity – a valuable source of information given the fact that official information sites are often incomplete. ; Cauca Regional Government, Colombia