Qualitative Study on the Perspective of Rural Inhabitants Facing the Agricultural Land Conflict in Antioquia, colombia

Abstract

This qualitative case study explored, identified, and described the experiences, reflections, and expectations of 13 participants of rural origin from Northwest Antioquia, Colombia, regarding the agrarian conflict understood as dispossession, access, and accumulation of land, forced displacement, and rural development programs to alleviate rural poverty and violence. Through in-depth interviews, study participants revealed the deep impact that the agrarian conflict has had on the lives of smallholder farmers. The participants indicated that they lacked essential information regarding important issues such as agrarian reform and other channels of participation in land restitution, as well as profound feelings of distrust and dissatisfaction towards agrarian policy and reparation for victims of the armed conflict. The findings indicated a critical lack of confidence in the government and public institutions, highlighting an urgency for state transparency in the development of rural communities and the reconstruction of the countryside during the current post-conflict phase