A typological characterization of cocoa farmers in the Amazon region of Colombia based on biophysical and cultural variables

In the Colombian Amazon, cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is often cultivated with limited productive, environmental, and cultural scopes, largely due to an insufficient understanding of the different types of cacao farmer. A multiple factor analysis of 200 cacao farms in the Putumayo region identified five producer typologies based on qualitative and quantitative variables. Among them, Typology 3 consists mainly of Indigenous farmers (Indigenous with diversified agricultural productions), while Typology 1 includes both farmers and Indigenous people (Predominantly agriculture-oriented farmers). Typologies 2, 4, and 5 comprise peasants, Indigenous people, Afro-descendants, and mestizos. Typology 2 corresponds to Moderately agriculture-oriented peasants with a lower level of education than those in Typology 4, which represents Mixed moderately agriculture-oriented. Typology 5 includes Conservation-oriented farmers. These findings suggest that varying land-use orientations may play a key role in shaping cocoa farmer typologies. Understanding these farming typologies enables the development of policies and strategies tailored to each type of farmer. Moreover, this approach can be applied to other cacao-producing regions worldwide, offering a valuable framework for analysis in contexts with high cultural and ecological diversity. This study offers valuable insights that will help balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, and contribute to an inclusive, resilient rural development.