Research Articles What is needed to successfully implement Colombia’s first public policy for sustainable cattle farming?

by Stefan Burkart , Danny Sandoval

Cattle farming is a cornerstone of Colombia’s agricultural economy, but its environmental impact—especially in terms of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions—has raised concerns. In response to these challenges, the Colombian government, through Resolution 000126 of 2022, launched the Public Policy Guidelines for Sustainable Cattle 2022-2050 (Lineamientos de Política para la Ganadería Bovina Sostenible, LPGBS), aiming to shift the sector toward more sustainable practices. However, the road to implementing this policy is far from smooth.

In recent years, the Colombian cattle sector has faced significant challenges in transforming its traditional extensive systems to sustainable practices that can mitigate environmental harm and adapt to climate change. Cattle farming is a cornerstone of Colombia’s agricultural economy, but its environmental impact—especially in terms of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions—has raised concerns. In response to these challenges, the Colombian government, through Resolution 000126 of 2022, launched the Public Policy Guidelines for Sustainable Cattle 2022-2050 (Lineamientos de Política para la Ganadería Bovina Sostenible, LPGBS), aiming to shift the sector towards more sustainable practices. However, the road to implementing this policy is far from smooth.

A recent study, based on a mixed-methods approach combining literature reviews and key-informant interviews, assesses the current state of the LPGBS and identifies the key capacity gaps hindering its effective implementation. The study not only highlights difficulties in the policy design but also provides recommendations on the necessary steps to build the capacities required for the transition to sustainable cattle farming in Colombia. 
 

The context of Colombian cattle farming

Cattle farming is deeply embedded in Colombia's economy, accounting for nearly 1.4% of the country’s total GDP and providing over 1 million jobs. However, this sector is also a significant contributor to environmental degradation. From 2018 to 2020, over 500,000 hectares of natural forest were cleared, with extensive cattle farming being one of the main drivers of deforestation. In addition, the sector contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating climate change.

As part of Colombia's commitment to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the LPGBS was created to address these issues. The policy aims to promote sustainable intensification, reduce environmental impacts, and increase the sector’s productivity. However, despite considerable development in the policy framework, significant implementation challenges remain. 
 

Challenges in policy design and implementation

The study identifies several key barriers that hinder the successful implementation of the LPGBS. One of the most significant obstacles is institutional weakness, including low participation from government ministries, which undermines trust among stakeholders. This lack of government leadership has been compounded by political interests and institutional egos, making it difficult to align the goals of various actors involved in the policy process.

Another challenge lies in the absence of key policy elements, such as the inclusion of women and youth in cattle farming. The design phase of the LPGBS largely overlooked the role of these groups, which is a critical oversight given their potential to drive sustainable change in the sector. Furthermore, the lack of a traceability system to monitor sustainability metrics and outdated cadastral data further complicate efforts to track and evaluate progress in implementing sustainable practices.

Early achievements in the policy process

Despite these challenges, the LPGBS has made some notable progress. The creation of regional roundtables for sustainable cattle farming has provided a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, allowing diverse voices to contribute to the policy-making process. Additionally, the definition of sustainability through social, environmental, and productive criteria has laid a strong foundation for integrating sustainability into cattle farming practices across the country.

Building capacities for policy implementation

The research highlights the need to focus on building three main types of capacities to successfully implement the LPGBS:

1. Knowledge capacities: There is a pressing need for a standardized curriculum focused on sustainable cattle farming. This includes training young professionals and farmers in sustainable practices, with an emphasis on integrating traditional knowledge with new technologies.

2. Institutional capacities: Strengthening land tenure security and establishing environmental valuation programs are critical to enabling farmers to invest in sustainable practices. Land ownership is often a barrier to securing financing for sustainable projects, and addressing this issue is essential for fostering long-term transformation.

3. Infrastructure capacities: The development of road infrastructure and improved access to agricultural financing are crucial for ensuring that small and medium-sized farmers can participate in the transition to sustainable cattle farming. Many of these farmers face barriers to accessing the necessary resources, which limits their ability to adopt new practices.

Pathways to overcome challenges

To address the identified gaps, the study suggests several strategies:

  • Strengthen policy leadership: Ensure that the national government takes a more active role in promoting and coordinating the implementation of the LPGBS.
  • Promote inclusivity: Include women and youth in the policy design and implementation processes and provide targeted support for their leadership in sustainable cattle farming.
  • Enhance traceability and monitoring systems: Implement comprehensive traceability systems to monitor sustainability progress and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
  • Expand financing mechanisms: Improve access to credit for smallholder and medium-sized producers, especially in remote areas, to help them invest in sustainable practices.

Conclusion

The transition to sustainable cattle farming in Colombia is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government bodies, private institutions, NGOs, and farmers. While significant progress has been made in developing the LPGBS, the study underscores the importance of addressing capacity gaps—especially in knowledge, institutional frameworks, and infrastructure. By strengthening these capacities and fostering collaboration across the value chain, Colombia can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient cattle sector.

The findings of this study also offer valuable insights for other countries in the region facing similar challenges in their efforts to transition to sustainable agricultural practices. It highlights the importance of early policy evaluations and the need for continuous capacity development to ensure the long-term success of sustainability initiatives in the agricultural sector.

Acknowledgements
This work was carried out as part of the CGIAR Initiative Livestock & Climate (L&C) and the CGIAR Science Program on Sustainable Animal & Aquatic Foods (SAAF). We thank all donors who globally support our work through their contributions to the CGIAR System. The views expressed in this document may not be taken as the official views of these organizations.
 

Further reading