Generational Continuity and Investment Decisions on Coffee Farms in the Department of Caldas – Colombia

Abstract

An aging population is evident in the Colombian coffee sector. The National Federationof Coffee Growers of Colombia has implemented generational renewal programs, thoughthey do not seem to have received the response they hoped for among young people.In order to provide public policy recommendations for the design of programs that encouragegenerational renewal in the coffee sector, an extensive survey was conductedamong young coffee growers in the department of Caldas whom had officially registeredbetween 2005 and 2011; relations between variables and analysis of correspondencesamong the determinants of the decision of purchasing a coffee farm were established.We encourage programs to include the participation of young people in the selection ofland plots, administrative decisions and investment.