Life cycle management in agricultural products: the case of cocoa in Norte de Santander

Abstract

This research presents the results of applying the concept of Life Cycle Management (LCM) in the agricultural sector, with special emphasis on the environmental and socioeconomic aspects of decision-making in cocoa production in Colombia. This assessment was based on the application of two methodological tools: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which considers the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the cocoa production system; and the Taguchi Loss Function (TLF), which measures the economic impacts generated when a process deviates from its target production. The results showed that achieving appropriate improvements in agronomic practices and input consumption are facilitating factors in agricultural decision-making towards sustainability. For agribusiness purposes, such a qualitative change not only satisfies consumer demands for environmentally friendly products, but also increases the productivity and competitiveness of cocoa production, all of which has given the MCV wide international acceptance.