Dimensions of social and political capital in interventions to improve household well-being: Implications for coffee-growing areas in southern Colombia.

This paper studies the influence of community capitals on well-being through a Community Capital Index (CCI) within coffee-growing families in southern Colombia. Our results show different farm typologies, with different levels of capital endowment translated into well-being that, in our case, were represented in the CCI. Specifically, social and political capitals positively affect coffee-growing families' decisions in terms of life strategies. The results of this study increase our understanding of welfare enhancement and its relationship with capital endowment according to the type of coffee producer, having implications for the planning of more effective programs towards the improvement of quality of life.

Percepción local acerca de la calidad del agua la herpetofauna en fincas Ganaderas del municipio de matiguás, Nicaragua / Local erceptionss about water quality nd herpetofauna in livestock faarms in the municipality of matiguás, Nicaragua

Las percepciones de los productores ganaderos respecto a su bienestar, la calidad del agua y la diversidad de herpetofauna fueron examinadas usando entrevistas semiestructuradas a los productores y a las instituciones locales. Las entrevistas se utilizaron para desarrollar indicadores enmarcados en los capitales de la comunidad y validados a través de cuatro talleres. Los resultados indicaron que los productores tienen percepciones similares respecto a las relaciones entre la calidad del agua y la biodiversidad. Los productores comentaron que la cantidad de agua ha ido disminuyendo, aunque la mayoría de los productores no perciben una relación entre la calidad del agua, la salud humana o la salud del ganado. Hubo una ausencia significativa de las instituciones locales, la promoción y la financiación de proyectos de conservación de la biodiversidad, el acceso y almacenamiento de agua. En cuanto a la herpetofauna, las respuestas de los productores se han centrado en las funciones medicinales, alimenticias y controladores biológicos que estos organismos proveen. La mayoría de los productores entrevistados afirmaron que la incorporación de sistemas silvopastoriles en fincas ofrece beneficios, incluida la mejora de la calidad del agua y la conservación de la biodiversidad agrícola. Los productores demostraron conocimientos locales en la ubicación de las fuentes de agua y el uso tradicional de la herpetofauna.

Perceptions of livestock producers regarding their welfare, water quality and herpetofauna diversity were examined using semi-structured interviews with farmers and local institutions. Interviews was used to develop indicators framed in community capitals and validated through four workshops. The results indicated that producers have similar perceptions of the relationships between water quality and biodiversity. Producers indicated that the amount of water has been declining, although most producers do not perceive a relationship between water quality, human health or livestock health. There was a significant absence of: local institutions, biodiversity conservation projects promotion and financing, access and water storage. Regarding the herpetofauna, the' responses of producers have focused on medicinal, nutritional functions and biological regulation that these organisms provide. Most farmers interviewed stated that the incorporation ogf agroforestry systems on offers benefits including improved water quality and conservation of agricultural biodiversity. Farmers demonstrated local knowledge in locating water sources and in the traditional use of herpetofauna.