Socio-economic study of a region of intensive horticulture in the Colombian highlands

In 1986 and 1987, a socio-economic research was undertaken about the type of agriculture practiced in Aquitania, a region of the Boyacá department (Colombia) situated around a lake at high altitude.

In this region, intensive specialization in the production of a variety of onion which is a basic condiment in Colombian cooking (allium fistulosum, Welch onion might be the best equivalent of what is called here cebolla larga or cebolla junca) has led to appreciable economic enrichment for the whole population, and real dynamism in local society. This quite in contrast with most regions of Boyacá, which have been overtaken by depression and rural exodus.

The onion production is concentrated where the environment is most favorable to its development, which is on the banks of the Tota Lake situated slightly above 3000 meters.

The research describes the evolution of the region from traditional mixed farming to monoculture and from a food-producing rural economy toward an agricultural economy essentially intended for the market.

The prospect of taking part in the general enrichment quickly swept away the reticence of those who at first could not imagine that they would have to buy their potatoes once their fields were planted with onions.

However, this enrichment cannot hide an important difference between the producers depending on whether or not they own the best land, within the area close to the lake, and according to the size of the farm. The prohibitive prices of the few plots of land on sale compel farmers who wish to increase their cultivated area either to rent some land or to enter in sharecropping agreements.

Welch onion cultivation is very productive, with three or four harvests a year. It needs a lot of watering, chemical treatment and fertilizers (manure from industrial hen-houses). This intensive monoculture disturbs the prevailing ecosystems and, in particular, the ecosystem of the lake. Its water, which is used by many surrounding villages, is now of lower quality, and suffers from the proliferation of an algae called elodea.

The producers control the commercialization of the onion and have therefore reduced the importance of commercial capital and of the local market, which now plays no part whatsoever in the distribution of the crop. The main transactions take place in the central market in Bogotá; part of the crop is sold directly to supermarkets. The main producers own one or ever several lorries, which allows them to transport their own production, bringing the manure they need on the way back. Smaller farmers, who cannot afford such an investment, have to either to pay a truck owner to carry their crop or to associate with other small producers to share the expense of hiring a lorry. The poorest are sometimes compelled to sell the crop in the field. In this case, the buyer undertakes the harvesting, classifying, packaging and transportation, which implies the loss by the farmer of a great part of the added value. Yet this case is rather exceptional, most producers generally manage to cover the cost of harvesting and transportation of the onions to the wholesale markets.

Welch onion production has enjoyed several periods of prosperity. However, it is subjected, like all foodstuffs, to over-production crisis and strong price fluctuations. This has become more pronounced since several new producing regions have appeared. In the intent to overcome such situations, the farmers of Aquitania have tried on several opportunities to stabilize supply and demand by means of cooperatives. Unfortunately, these attempts have systematically failed: individualism, competition and disloyalty have constantly undermined these efforts. The reasons for these failures are examined in order to find solutions better adapted to the real conditions of the people involved.

Results of this research have been published in a book: El Lago de Tota ahogado en cebolla. Estudio socioeconómico de la cuenca cebollera del Lago de Tota. Coedición Universidad Javeriana-Editorial Ecoe, 1990, Bogotá.