Agriculture
From The Report: Colombia 2013
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Selected as one of five strategic growth areas in the National Development Plan, the agricultural sector has traditionally been one of the primary growth engines in Colombia. However, recent supply and demand fluctuations have created challenging times for the sector and government funding has become central for ensuring its short-term viability. This is likely to improve as completion of renovation campaigns comes in sight, crops undergo further diversification, and competitiveness programmes are vigorously pursued to enable the sector’s performance in open markets. The sector is gradually changing its focus from traditional segments such as coffee and cocoa to products with higher demand in export markets. With 14.5m ha of unused land, the sector’s growth potential is tremendous.
This chapter includes an interview with Juan Camilo Restrepo, Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Realising its potential: In preparation for liberalisation, the sector looks to iron out problems
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Historically, the agricultural sector has been one of the primary drivers of economic growth in Colombia. According to Proexport, a state-owned investment and exports promotion agency, in 2011 the sector accounted for 9% of GDP, 21% of export revenues and 19% of national employment. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN estimates that 14.5m ha of agricultural land currently lies idle with major potential for domestic and foreign investment. For these reasons, the sector was selected…

Interview

OBG talks to Juan Camilo Restrepo, Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
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Interview:Juan Camilo Restrepo What is the ministry’s attitude to foreign acquisition of land for agricultural investment? JUAN CAMILO RESTREPO: The Colombian government has been firm in its position that foreign investment in land is fundamental for our country. This is actually referred to in a bill drafted in November 2012, set for approval by Congress in 2013. Even as the bill awaits passage, foreign investment is welcome, as long as it generates employment, increases exports and the…

Analysis

Peace in the countryside: Tracking armed conflict and steps to accelerate land reform
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Land allocation ranks as Colombia’s most pressing challenge in agricultural development, as well as playing a vital role in efforts to secure national unity. Since the early days of Spanish colonisation, the highly-concentrated agricultural lands have been a cause of political instability, with land distribution in Colombia among the most unequal in the world: more than half of all farmland is owned by just 1.15% of landowners, according to a study by the UN Development Programme. This has…

Analysis

More diverse offerings: Multi-purpose usage adds to growth potential in palm oil cultivation
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Albeit modest compared to the revenues brought in by coffee producers, palm oil is increasingly establishing its agricultural value. While moderately growing since the start of production in the early 1960s, the sector has experienced faster growth from the early 2000s onwards as a result of regulatory incentives and profitable export prices. Since 2000 planted surface has nearly tripled, reaching 402,000 ha in 2010, of which 150,000 ha have yet to reach the production phase. According to…

Analysis

Global stalwart: Meeting production challenges through branding high-quality coffee
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Coffee has traditionally been the most important cash crop in Colombia, accounting for 50% of agricultural exports. Its Arabica type is recognised as one of the world’s highest quality coffees, earning itself a benchmark on international commodity exchanges where buyers pay a handsome premium for it. The country’s location near the equator, its plentiful slopes and fertile soils provide farmers with globally competitive conditions for year-round coffee cultivation. On average, around 90%…