Critical overview of the expansion of Hass avocado plantations in Salamina, northern Caldas, Colombia

Abstract

This paper sheds light on the broader impacts of high-value commodity crops in the tropics by examining critically the rapid expansion of Hass avocado plantations (HAP). Using Salamina as a case study, this paper provides empirical evidence of local impacts and highlights the need for more sustainable and equitable governance strategies to manage emerging socio-economic and environmental challenges. HAP are transforming Salamina’s traditional landscape by seizing considerable areas for avocado cultivation in response to the ongoing coffee sector crisis. Since 2018, the region has transitioned from a coffee-centered economy to one dominated by capital- and labor-intensive avocado production. While HAP has become a significant economic driver, it has also exacerbated social grievances and inequalities among local communities. This paper stresses the economic shift, environmental disturbances, and comments on governance policies for inadequately addressing sustainability and social issues.