The investigation's findings indicate that despite contributing to a 0.4% growth in Colombia's economy, coca producers' livelihood remains precarious, reflecting a stark contrast in economic impact versus sustainability.
The study also highlights the local significance of coca production, stating, 'In small coca-growing municipalities, they provide the backbone of their communities' livelihood, accounting for around 10.5% of total income in such areas.'
Despite the immediate economic benefits, long-term prospects are dire: 'The industry is as lucrative in the short-term as it is unprofitable in the medium and long-term, with many regions facing humanitarian crises and food shortages.'
Importantly, coca production has devastating environmental consequences; economist Lucas Marin-Llanes notes, 'the increase of coca lands to cattle ranches in the Colombian Amazon grew by 302% between 2014 and 2019.'
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