Upscaling agroforestry in the tropics through actor-networks: a comparative case study of cacao farming systems in two regions of Colombia

Agroforestry systems (AFS) upscaling has the potential to integrate sustainability and resilience objectives into agriculture. However, this is a daunting task requiring multi-actor collaboration across public and private sectors at multiple governance levels, coupled with innovative approaches to jointly managing AFS knowledge. Understanding such multi-actor interactions from a network perspective may help to unravel how social structures, created by relational patterns enhance or hinder AFS upscaling. Our paper aims to comparatively explore the role of regional actor-networks on AFS upscaling for a selected farming system. By conducting semi-structured interviews, we collected information about the ties of 86 actors supporting cacao agroforestry systems (CAFS) across two regions of Colombia. We use social network analysis (SNA) to comparatively visualize and understand the general structure of these networks, find relational patterns between the diverse categories of actors involved, and identify a set of key players bridging the majority of the actors within these networks. We find highly centralized networks that connect multiple actors by a low number of mostly non-reciprocal ties. Within these networks, we identify a predominance of bridging ties over bonding ties, homophily patterns among research and education institutions, and heterophily configurations among farmer-based organizations. We also find that the composition of the sets of key actors and the platforms where they converge varies substantially from region to region due to decentralized agricultural policies and differing characteristics across regions. Our approach provides key entry points for promoting multi-actor coalitions that can effectively expand the benefits of AFS in tropical agricultural systems

Analyzing influencing factors to scale up agroforestry systems in Colombia: A comparative ex-ante assessment of cacao farming and cattle ranching in two regions

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are proved to enhance sustainable land management. Thus, there is increasing demand for effective ways to scale up AFS so that more people can benefit. Consequently, this study assesses the scaling-up potential of agroforestry systems (AFS) using cacao farming and cattle ranching in Caqueta and Cesar, Colombia, as examples. An ex-ante assessment using the ScalA tool is conducted through interviews with AFS experts from institutions promoting AFS. Using a comparative approach, results reveal that AFS have different scaling-up potential depending on the type of farming system and location characteristics. In our case, it is slightly higher for cacao farming than for cattle ranching in both regions and it is higher in Caqueta than in Cesar for both systems. Factors hindering the scaling-up potential for both regions are economic conditions at the local and regional levels since there is a lack of stable and differentiated markets to absorb AFS products. In contrast, the scaling-up potential in both regions is increased by the factors related to the capacity of the organizations that promote AFS and the attitudes of local communities toward them. The study generates information about factors that may hinder or foster AFS scaling-up, including not just the capacities and mechanisms to promote them but also the enabling conditions. This contributes to prioritizing AFS interventions and better allocating their resources to increase their chances of successful scaling-up

Analyzing influencing factors to scale up agroforestry systems in Colombia: A comparative ex-ante assessment of cacao farming and cattle ranching in two regions

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are proved to enhance sustainable land management. Thus, there is increasing demand for effective ways to scale up AFS so that more people can benefit. Consequently, this study assesses the scaling-up potential of agroforestry systems (AFS) using cacao farming and cattle ranching in Caquetá and Cesar, Colombia, as examples. An ex-ante assessment using the ScalA tool is conducted through interviews with AFS experts from institutions promoting AFS. Using a comparative approach, results reveal that AFS have different scaling-up potential depending on the type of farming system and location characteristics. In our case, it is slightly higher for cacao farming than for cattle ranching in both regions and it is higher in Caquetá than in Cesar for both systems. Factors hindering the scaling-up potential for both regions are economic conditions at the local and regional levels since there is a lack of stable and differentiated markets to absorb AFS products. In contrast, the scaling-up potential in both regions is increased by the factors related to the capacity of the organizations that promote AFS and the attitudes of local communities toward them. The study generates information about factors that may hinder or foster AFS scaling-up, including not just the capacities and mechanisms to promote them but also the enabling conditions. This contributes to prioritizing AFS interventions and better allocating their resources to increase their chances of successful scaling-up

Friedensförderung in Zeiten von COVID-19: Risikoadaptierte Strategien von Kooperations- und Entwicklungsprojekten

National and international cooperation and development projects (CDP) are fundamental for peacebuilding. However, unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adaption. In Colombia, the coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow the implementation of peace-related projects, while simultaneously violence over control and ownership of land increases. Although the mid- to long-term consequences for peacebuilding are unknown, exploring risk-adapted strategies of national and international CDP can help identify crucial aspects for future processes and implementations. This study explores the key challenges and coping strategies of implementing agencies and stakeholders to COVID-19, thus helping to derive and improve risk-adapted strategies. After reviewing academic and grey literature, and implementing a semi-structured survey, peacebuilding risked-adapted strategies to COVID-19 are explored with respect to conflict-affected and vulnerable areas of Colombia. Findings show that increasing complexity rooted in top down governmental measures, the rise of new local power relations (e.g. armed groups, illicit activities), and social alienation are negatively affecting peacebuilding in Colombia. Future CDP risk adapted strategies should build on local interests and needs through public-private and environmental cooperation.Nationale und internationale Kooperations- und Entwicklungsprojekte (CDP) sind für die Friedensförderung von grundlegender Bedeutung. Unvorhergesehene globale Krisen, wie COVID-19, können solche Projekte jedoch gefährden und erfordern eine rasche Anpassung. In Kolumbien droht der Ausbruch des Coronavirus die Durchführung friedensbezogener Projekte zu verlangsamen, während gleichzeitig die Gewalt über die Kontrolle und den Besitz von Land zunimmt. Obwohl die mittel- bis langfristigen Folgen für die Friedenskonsolidierung unbekannt sind, kann die Untersuchung risikoangepasster Strategien des nationalen und internationalen CDP dazu beitragen, entscheidende Aspekte für künftige Prozesse und Implementierungen zu ermitteln. Diese Studie untersucht die Herausforderungen und Bewältigungsstrategien der Durchführungsorganisationen und Interessengruppen im Kontext von COVID-19, umso risikoangepasste Strategien abzuleiten und zu verbessern. Basierend auf Literaturrecherche und der Durchführung semi-strukturierter Interviews werden risikoangepasste Strategien der Friedensförderung für COVID-19 in unterschiedlichen Teilen Kolumbiens untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die zunehmende Komplexität, die in den Maßnahmen der Regierung von oben nach unten, dem Entstehen neuer lokaler Machtverhältnisse (z. B. bewaffnete Gruppen, illegale Aktivitäten) und in zunehmend sozialer Entfremdung wurzelt, die Friedensförderung in Kolumbien negativ beeinflusst. Künftige risikoangepasste Strategien des CDP sollten auf lokalen Interessen und Bedürfnissen durch öffentlich-private und umweltpolitische Zusammenarbeit aufbauen.Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V. (3493)Peer Reviewe

Peacebuilding in times of COVID-19: risk-adapted strategies of cooperation and development projects

National and international cooperation and development projects (CDP) are fundamental for peacebuilding. However, unforeseen global crises, like COVID-19, can endanger such projects, requiring rapid adaption. In Colombia, the coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow the implementation of peace-related projects, while simultaneously violence over control and ownership of land increases. Although the mid- to long-term consequences for peacebuilding are unknown, exploring risk-adapted strategies of national and international CDP can help identify crucial aspects for future processes and implementations. This study explores the key challenges and coping strategies of implementing agencies and stakeholders to COVID-19, thus helping to derive and improve risk-adapted strategies. After reviewing academic and grey literature, and implementing a semi-structured survey, peacebuilding risked-adapted strategies to COVID-19 are explored with respect to conflict-affected and vulnerable areas of Colombia. Findings show that increasing complexity rooted in top down governmental measures, the rise of new local power relations (e.g. armed groups, illicit activities), and social alienation are negatively affecting peacebuilding in Colombia. Future CDP risk adapted strategies should build on local interests and needs through public-private and environmental cooperation

Key factors for effective design and implementation of sustainable land use systems to reduce deforestation and enhance peacebuilding in Colombia

This Policy Brief provides scientifically sound guidance for decision makers to help integrate SLUS strategies into policy instruments, in order to promote synergies and address trade-offs between multiple objectives related to climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture and peacebuilding

Factores clave para el diseño e implementación de sistemas sostenibles de uso de la tierra para la reducción de la deforestación y la construcción de paz en Colombia

Esta nota de orientación sobre políticas proporciona una guía científicamente sólida para que los tomadores de decisiones ayuden a integrar las estrategias SSUT (sistemas de uso sostenible del suelo) en los instrumentos de política, con el fin de promover sinergias y encontrar equilibrios entre los múltiples objetivos como son: la consolidación de la paz, la agricultura sostenible y la mitigación del cambio climático

Early warning indicators for first-line virologic failure independent of adherence measures in a South African urban clinic.

Abstract We sought to develop individual-level Early Warning Indicators (EWI) of virologic failure (VF) for clinicians to use during routine care complementing WHO population-level EWI. A case-control study was conducted at a Durban clinic. Patients after≥5 months of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) were defined as cases if they had VF [HIV-1 viral load (VL)>1000 copies/mL] and controls (2:1) if they had VL≤1000 copies/mL. Pharmacy refills and pill counts were used as adherence measures. Participants responded to a questionnaire including validated psychosocial and symptom scales. Data were also collected from the medical record. Multivariable logistic regression models of VF included factors associated with VF (p<0.05) in univariable analyses. We enrolled 158 cases and 300 controls. In the final multivariable model, male gender, not having an active religious faith, practicing unsafe sex, having a family member with HIV, not being pleased with the clinic experience, symptoms of depression, fatigue, or rash, low CD4 counts, family recommending HIV care, and using a TV/radio as ART reminders (compared to mobile phones) were associated with VF independent of adherence measures. In this setting, we identified several key individual-level EWI associated with VF including novel psychosocial factors independent of adherence measures

Association of dietary flavan-3-ol intakes with plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones: analysis from the TUDA cohort of healthy older adults

Background: Dietary polyphenols, including flavan-3-ols (F3O), are associated with better health outcomes. The relationship of plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones (PVLs), the products of colonic bacterial metabolism of F3O, with dietary intakes is unclear. Objectives: To investigate whether plasma PVLs are associated with self-reported intakes of total F3O and procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Design: We measured 9 PVLs by uHPLC-MS-MS in plasma from adults (&gt;60y) in the Trinity-Ulster-Department of Agriculture (TUD study (2008 to 2012; n=5,186) and a follow-up subset (2014 to 2018) with corresponding dietary data (n=557). Dietary (poly)phenols collected by FFQ were analyzed using Phenol-Explorer. Results: Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) intakes were estimated as 2283 (2213, 2352) mg/d for total (poly)phenols, 674 (648, 701) for total F3O, and 152 (146, 158) for procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Two PVL metabolites were detected in plasma from the majority of participants, 5-(hydroxyphenyl)-γ-VL-sulfate (PVL1) and 5-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-γ-VL-3'-glucuronide (PVL2). The 7 other PVLs were detectable only in 1-32% of samples. Self-reported intakes (mg/d) of F3O (r = 0.113, P = 0.017) and procyanidin+(epi)catechin (r = 0.122, P = 0.010) showed statistically significant correlations with the sum of PVL1 and PVL 2 (PVL1+2). With increasing intake quartiles (Q1-Q4), mean (95% CI) PVL1+2 increased; from 28.3 (20.8, 35.9) nmol/L in Q1 to 45.2 (37.2, 53.2) nmol/L in Q4; P = 0.025, for dietary F3O, and from 27.4 (19.1, 35.8) nmol/L in Q1 to 46.5 (38.2, 54.9) nmol/L in Q4; P = 0.020, for procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Conclusions: Of 9 PVL metabolites investigated, 2 were detected in most samples and were weakly associated with intakes of total F3O and procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Future controlled feeding studies are required to validate plasma PVLs as biomarkers of these dietary polyphenols