Our latest AgroTalk webinar took a deep dive into the Community Monitoring and Assurance System (CMAS), an innovative initiative that empowers smallholder farmers to take ownership of data and use it to transform their supply chains. Through a compelling discussion, our expert panel explored how CMAS addresses critical challenges in sustainable agriculture by placing data and decision-making in the hands of local communities.
The session brought together Julián Gómez from the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), Andrés Rueda of Fundación Natura, and Camilo Enciso representing ASOPEP. Each shared their unique experiences and insights, providing a comprehensive view of how CMAS is making a difference on the ground.
The Vision Behind CMAS
The CMAS initiative arose from a pressing question: How can supply chain data become more reliable, equitable, and impactful for small producers? Smallholder farmers, who often find themselves excluded from responsible supply chains, face numerous barriers such as high certification costs, limited access to technical resources, and low market prices for their products. These challenges often leave them without the tools or support they need to thrive.
Julián Gómez introduced the CMAS framework, emphasizing its three foundational components. First, CMAS is rooted in community empowerment, enabling local farmers and monitors to collect and act on data. This builds trust within the community and ensures that decisions are locally driven. Second, it integrates advanced technology through SAN’s iHub and Power BI to make data collection and analysis both efficient and accessible. Finally, it relies on collaborative partnerships with organizations like ASOPEP to scale its impact effectively. As Julián noted,
“Smallholders are often excluded due to technical and economic barriers. CMAS bridges this gap by decentralizing data ownership and empowering local actors.”
Stories of Transformation
Fundación Natura’s Climate Monitoring
Andrés Rueda shared an inspiring example from Santander, Colombia, where cacao farmers have been involved in community-led climate monitoring for over a decade. This initiative emerged from a socio-environmental conflict tied to a hydroelectric dam project. Initially, technical stations and monitoring plots were set up, but they failed to connect with the farmers.
To address this, the project pivoted to a community-led approach. Farmers began gathering data on climate variables like temperature and precipitation. The results were transformative.
“We found that involving communities in data collection not only enhanced trust in the results but also led to actionable insights, like adapting farming practices to real-time climate data,” explained Andrés.
This shift empowered farmers to make informed decisions and fostered resilience against challenges like climate variability.
ASOPEP’s Adoption of CMAS
Camilo Enciso shared ASOPEP’s journey with CMAS, highlighting its role in helping the organization meet European Green Deal requirements. The initiative also sparked youth engagement, with young people from the community stepping in as monitors. These monitors—often the children of local farmers—used their familiarity with technology to streamline data collection.
Camilo emphasized the long-term benefits of data ownership, stating,
“With CMAS, data ownership remains with the community, ensuring sustainability and enabling farmers to adapt practices based on reliable, real-time information.”
For ASOPEP, CMAS has also provided a valuable tool for showcasing transparency and compliance to international buyers.
Building Resilience Through Data
CMAS not only solves immediate problems but also builds a foundation for sustainable growth. Its innovative use of real-time monitoring ensures that communities have continuous insights rather than one-time snapshots. By keeping data ownership within the community, CMAS fosters trust and enables long-term decision-making.
As Julián explained,
“By leveraging local monitors, CMAS creates a sustainable system where the community can observe, act, and adapt without waiting for external interventions.”
This participatory approach also scales efficiently, making it accessible to a wider range of producers and regions.
The Future of Community-Led Solutions
CMAS demonstrates that sustainable agriculture thrives when communities take the lead. It equips farmers to meet certification standards, adapt to climate challenges, and strengthen their supply chains. Importantly, it fosters intergenerational engagement, with young people taking on vital roles in their communities.
This AgroTalk webinar offered a wealth of insights into how CMAS is reshaping the landscape of sustainable agriculture. From improving resilience to empowering farmers with actionable data, it’s clear that community-driven solutions are key to addressing systemic challenges.
Join the Conversation
We invite you to share your thoughts and questions about CMAS. Join the discussion on LinkedIn or leave a comment below. Together, we can build a more equitable and sustainable agricultural future.
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