Los autores revisaron y discutieron los conceptos que parten desde la sostenibilidad hasta el desarrollo sustentable, con el fin de aclarar sus orígenes, dado que los términos "sostenible" y “sustentable” han perdido su significado original debido a su uso indiscriminado, dificultando un análisis riguroso y haciendo que pierda su sentido inicial. Por esta razón, se incluye una breve reseña de cómo se han utilizado ambos conceptos en la literatura científica, así como en textos gubernamentales; también se describe la controversia que ha suscitado su uso intercambiable, así como las corrientes de pensamiento que sustentan. Lo anterior, conlleva a los investigadores a plantear dos objetivos en este documento: 1) hacer una revisión de la literatura para compartir algunos desarrollos y debates recientes en el campo del desarrollo sostenible y 2) discutir cómo definir y utilizar los términos “sostenibilidad” y “sustentabilidad”. Aunque ambos términos son técnicamente correctos, se puede concluir que se refieren a ideologías y posiciones filosóficas muy diferentes. Por ejemplo, el "desarrollo sostenible" hace hincapié en la gestión cuidadosa de los recursos naturales desde una visión económica que se apoya de lo social y lo ambiental, mientras que el "desarrollo sustentable" hace hincapié en el uso de los recursos naturales dando prioridad a la protección del medio ambiente.

Family farming is essential for rural development and food security, yet it faces persistent structural barriers. This study aimed to develop a competitive model for Peasant, Family, and Community Agriculture (PFCA) in Lebrija, Colombia, by analyzing key factors affecting productivity, profitability, and competitiveness. A mixed-methods approach was used, integrating surveys, participatory workshops, and field visits across 79 family agricultural units (FAUs). Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and ordinal logistic regression (OLR) identified the impact of financial exclusion, low mechanization, and dependence on intermediaries, alongside strengths such as traditional knowledge transfer, family labor, and agroecological practices. The findings reveal a paradox: while PFCA resilience supports agricultural sustainability, it may also hinder modernization. To address this, a strategic action plan was developed with six axes: governance, commercialization, financing, technology, training, and climate mitigation. This framework provides policy recommendations for financial inclusion, direct market access, and technological innovation. The study offers a replicable model for policymakers, rural development agencies, and agricultural cooperatives, supporting sustainable and competitive family farming in Colombia and similar rural economies.

This study explores the cultural, productive, territorial, and organizational practices of cacao-producing families in Lebrija, Santander (Colombia), within the broader context of rural sustainability and peasant identity in Latin America. In response to recent national and international frameworks recognizing the rights of peasants, the research aims to document local knowledge systems and community-based strategies that sustain rural livelihoods. Through a qualitative ethnographic approach, including participatory workshops, semi-structured interviews, and social cartography, the study collected narratives, practices, and territorial dynamics over the course of one year. The results reveal that cacao production is not only an economic activity, but a deeply embedded cultural process that intertwines with memory, family ties, lunar cycles, and environmental stewardship. Participants described conflicts related to water access, deforestation, poultry farming, and the expansion of urban infrastructure. Despite these pressures, families demonstrated adaptive capacities through agrodiversity, traditional knowledge, and associative work. The study concludes that these cacao-based practices offer valuable insights into bottom-up strategies for resilience and territorial sustainability and calls for greater inclusion of peasant knowledge in rural development agendas.