Sustainability of agroforestry systems of special high altitude coffee in the south-eastern sector of the Loja canton

Abstract

Sustainability is understood as the harmonious development between economic and social development and environmental conservation, seeking to satisfy current requirements without compromising the necessary resources for future generations. In this research, the sustainability in the economic, social and environmental field of the Agroforestry Systems (SAF) of small producers of special coffee in the south eastern sector of the Loja canton was evaluated, in order to determine sustainability, the methodology proposed by Flores and Sarandón was applied, generating environmental, economic and socio-cultural indicators to estimate the General Sustainability Index (IsGen); it was considered in the study of variables on the family nucleus; the specific environmental, sociocultural and economic conditions of the SAF associated with specialty coffee. The determination of Sustainability estimated an IsGen of 2.38; where the ecological dimension contributed a value of 2.58; while the economic dimensions 2.75 and socio-cultural 1.82. It was established that the SAFs are not sustainable, highlighting that the environmental and economic dimensions turned out to be positive; however, the sociocultural dimension does not reach an assessment > 2, classifying it as negative or limiting; being necessary to emphasize that for a system to be sustainable, the economic, social and environmental criteria must have a value greater than two; in the same way, it is necessary to employ indicators in the areas of sustainability according to the study context.