A qualitative framework to identify variables influencing ecological sustainability in tropical small-scale agriculture

Small-scale agriculture continues to be the sector with the largest number of food-producing farms worldwide. According to literature, this sector is highly diverse, not highly mechanized, and has low environmental impact. As a result, smallholders play a crucial role in ensuring food security and sustainability. Despite their small scale, these systems must be evaluated and compared based on a wide variety of factors influenced by their specific contexts. Environmental conditions, personal preferences, economic constraints, government regulations, and social norms all contribute to these contexts. A comparison of the ecological sustainability of agricultural systems has shown potential, but is often hindered by substantial limitations. Many of these approaches fail to engage stakeholders comprehensively and elucidate the intricate structures, components, and feedback mechanisms of agricultural ecosystems. Incomplete portrayals of these systems' complex interdependencies lead to inaccurate sustainability assessments. A novel method for analyzing and comparing the ecological sustainability of small farming systems in the tropics is presented using semi-structured interviews, content analysis, and causal loop diagrams. Using interviews, we identified key drivers and challenges in the development of these systems. Through causal loop diagrams, we visualized each system and identified its feedback loops. Several important conclusions have been drawn from the study of these systems in Mariato, Panama:

1.Ecological sustainability is driven by production, regenerative practices, and soil quality

2.Subsistence and respect for nature motivated the farmers

3.Degradation of soil and extreme dry seasons were major challenges

4.All three system types that were compared tended towards equilibrium