After this announcement, headlines immediately appeared such as “Colombia’s agriculture in check due to low implementation of technology” and “Only 15% of the agricultural sector uses advanced technology in its processes.” But how accurate is this reality? Why should it change? And what is the country doing to address it?

A Complex Reality
Several specialists agree with DANE, especially regarding small producers—who make up the majority in Colombia—where technological adoption remains very low.

According to Juan Carlos Palacio, professor at the Faculty of Agroindustrial Engineering at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, and Dr. Adriana Quinchía, director of the PhD program in Engineering at Escuela de Ingenieros de Antioquia, several factors explain this situation:

The long-standing economic gap between urban and rural areas, which has persisted and grown due to factors such as rural-to-urban migration.

Infrastructure limitations in rural areas. Without stable internet or adequate roads, it becomes more difficult and costly to equip farms and transport products and supplies.

Diverse productive soils across the country. Although this biodiversity is an advantage, it poses challenges: not all crops require the same technological tools, making it hard to prioritize and subsidize technology when conditions vary so widely.

Both experts also agree that Colombia should make a national effort to strengthen processes that transform raw materials—for example, producing guacamole as part of the avocado industry’s value-added initiatives.
Dr. Quinchía states:
“Today, agriculture in Colombia should be a priority sector; it requires significant investment.”

Why Should This Change?

In 1985, Chile had a poverty rate between 50% and 60%, explains David Berríos from the Chilean company Lem System. However, between 1985 and 2015, it became the country that most significantly reduced poverty.

Berríos explains that this progress resulted from reforms that oriented the economy toward agriculture and mining—leading to technological development that helped anticipate climatic seasons and other territorial challenges.

This effort allowed Chile’s agricultural sector to become the fastest growing in 2018, achieving:

• 5.8% sector growth
• USD $18 billion in exports
• More than 800,000 jobs created

A clear success story is the avocado industry. Despite being able to produce only a few months per year, Chile maximizes yields through technology, positioning itself as the second-largest global producer, only behind Mexico.

What Is Colombia Doing to Reduce the Gap?

Although the country has historically attempted political agreements to develop the countryside, in recent years it has been the market and universities that have brought innovation to rural areas in pursuit of higher economic returns.

Palacio highlights the example of single-origin coffees, where small producers have improved production and increased income along the value chain.

At Escuela de Ingenieros de Antioquia, a project is underway to reuse 600 tons of agro-industrial waste per year in Urabá.

High-impact startups such as Frubana are eliminating intermediaries between farmers and restaurants, simplifying logistics and improving producers’ income.

Likewise, events such as Expo Agrofuturo, which bring together investors, producers, and technology companies, play a key role in improving that 15%.

Remember to schedule your attendance from October 26 to 28 at Corferias, Bogotá.