Case Study: Dynamics and limitations of sustainability in family farming in the peasant community of San Francisco de Cayrán, Huánuco – Peru (2017–2021)

Abstract

Globally, smallholder farming systems fulfill economic, environmental, and socio-cultural roles, underscoring the importance of understanding their sustainability status and critical points. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of sustainability within the family agroecosystem in the Peasant Community of San Francisco de Cayran, Huánuco, Peru. A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted in 2017 and 2021, selecting representative producers at each stage (25 and 22, respectively). Twelve indicators and 35 weighted sub-indicators on a scale of 0 to 4 were evaluated using the multi-criteria analysis methodology. The results indicated that socio-cultural sustainability was the highest dimension in both periods, although with a slight decrease and the emergence of associativity as a critical point in 2021. Environmental sustainability showed a slight improvement, but pesticide use and irrigation management persisted as critical points. Economic sustainability was the lowest dimension, with critical points related to market access and financing. Only a minority of the farms achieved overall sustainability in both periods. It is concluded that while there is potential towards sustainability, addressing the identified critical points in each dimension is necessary to achieve a comprehensive improvement in the sustainability of family agroecosystems in the studied community.