Coffee citizenship: information and knowledge transfer to challenge food governance in Colombia

<p dir="ltr">This study aims to understand how increasing farmers' access to information about the coffee value chain can contribute to improving current food governance dynamics in the sector. The study follows a group of young, educated coffee growers in southern Colombia who are engaging in cooperative and entrepreneurial initiatives focused on improving their opportunities to capture the symbolic and material value of their product. It explores the underlying dynamics of knowledge transfer and reports the potential benefits of these knowledge networks from the farmers' perspective. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, drawing on 70 online-administered surveys and 8 interviews with coffee farmers living in the Huila department of Colombia. Results show that young coffee farmers are motivated to increase their knowledge about coffee to consistently add value to their product. They leverage a diverse range of learning channels, including social media, market reports, and personal networks, which they use strategically to adapt to emerging sectoral challenges. Overall, the study showcases a generational shift from a traditional coffee-growing community to a citizen-like movement aiming to produce a high-quality product within a local Café Culture. The study highlights the critical role of engaging youth in ensuring the sustainability in the coffee sector.</p>