Efforts to move Colombian farmers away from coca cultivation, the raw material for cocaine, are facing significant setbacks, with many disillusioned participants returning to the illicit crop. Despite joining government-backed substitution programmes, farmers report that promised assistance often failed to materialise, leaving them with no viable alternative livelihoods. This situation underscores the complex economic realities driving coca production and poses challenges for international drug control strategies.
One farmer, Perea, from Meta province, initially uprooted his coca plants, replacing them with legal crops like cassava and plantain. He joined a government programme designed to support this transition. However, a lack of promised financial aid, technical support, and inadequate infrastructure for selling legal produce, such as poor roads and recurring floods, made his new venture unsustainable. By 2024, facing economic hardship, Perea reluctantly resumed planting coca, highlighting the desperate choices many farmers face when support systems fail.
The appeal of coca for farmers is multifaceted. Research indicates that coca cultivation offers distinct advantages over legal crops, including quick harvests—up to four per year—easier transportation in remote areas, and a reliable market price. A Colombian researcher focusing on the coca economy noted that cultivation can significantly boost local economies, with some municipal GDPs increasing by as much as 10% between 2014 and 2019 due to the industry. This economic draw makes it difficult for farmers to switch without robust and consistent support.
The National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops (PNIS), launched in 2017 following a peace deal, was the most ambitious attempt to date, aiming to assist around 100,000 families. Households were promised 36 million Colombian pesos (approximately £8,000 at the time) over two years, along with technical agricultural support. While initially showing promise in some regions, the programme's momentum waned due to delayed payments, a lack of state presence in rural areas, and shifting political priorities, ultimately failing to deliver on its commitments for many participants.
Today, coca cultivation in Colombia stands at record levels, exceeding 250,000 hectares. This resurgence not only impacts rural Colombian communities, who often face violence and insecurity linked to the drug trade, but also has broader international implications. The continued high supply of cocaine from Colombia contributes to global illicit drug markets, affecting social and economic stability worldwide and presenting ongoing challenges for law enforcement agencies.