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Cerro Punta is one of the main producing areas of fresh vegetables in Panama; responsible for the supply of more than 80% of these items in the country. Recently, a characterization of these productive systems was carried out, which reflected that agricultural activity is the main source of income for the community, but they are very dependent on the use of synthetic pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sustainability of horticultural agroecosystems in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panama. For this, a K means cluster analysis was carried out in a preliminary manner, in which the cultivated area (ha) and the productive cost (USD per ha) were taken into consideration. Next, one farm per conglomerate was randomly selected and ten sustainability indicators were defined on a scale of 1-5, corresponding to the social (2), economic (4) and technical-environmental (4) dimensions; being required for a farm to be considered sustainable to achieve at least an average of 3 per dimension and the general sustainability index (ISG), must be 3 or superior. According to the results, only cluster 4 turned was sustainable, with an ISG of 3.9. However, the five types of farm turned out to be sustainable in the social dimension, due to the satisfaction of basic services. Yield improvements, crop diversification and other economic activities are required; in addition to promoting Integrated Pest Management. In conclusion, horticultural agroecosystems in Cerro Punta could be sustainable.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
