Publications
This section presents my peer-reviewed publications. Additional information, PDFs, and data repositories are linked when available. Click ABS to view the abstract.
2026
Coffee cupping as a quality signal: Impacts on smallholder prices and market access in Colombia
Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, pp. 1–24, 2026
This paper examines the role of coffee cupping protocols as quality signals in Colombian specialty coffee markets. Using data from smallholder producers, we evaluate whether participation in cupping—a standardized sensory evaluation—translates into higher farmgate prices and improved market access. Results indicate that cupping scores serve as an effective signaling mechanism, generating significant price premiums for producers who participate. However, barriers to participation—including geographic isolation, limited technical capacity, and costs of quality certification—disproportionately exclude the smallest producers, raising concerns about equity in quality-driven value chains.
Food security and forest access in the Colombian and Peruvian Amazon
Food Security, 2026. Springer
This study investigates the relationship between forest access and food security in indigenous and non-indigenous communities of the Colombian and Peruvian Amazon. Using household-level survey data and dietary diversity indicators, we find that forest quality and ethnic group membership are significant determinants of food security outcomes. Communities with better forest access exhibit higher dietary diversity, and indigenous households rely more heavily on forest-based food sources. The findings underscore the importance of integrating forest conservation into food security strategies in Amazonian contexts.
Advancing sustainable silvopastoral practices for achieving zero deforestation in the Colombian Amazon
Agricultural Systems, vol. 231, 104525, 2026
This paper evaluates the adoption and effectiveness of silvopastoral practices as a strategy for achieving zero deforestation in the Colombian Amazon. Using farm-level data from Caquetá, we assess whether silvopastoral systems reduce deforestation pressure while maintaining or improving livestock productivity. Results show that adopters of silvopastoral practices exhibit significantly lower rates of forest clearing and higher milk yields per hectare, suggesting that sustainable intensification can be compatible with conservation goals in frontier regions.
2025
Sweating bullets: Heat, high-stakes evaluations, and the role of incentives
Environmental and Resource Economics, vol. 88(9), pp. 2429–2467, 2025
This paper examines the causal effect of heat exposure on performance in high-stakes evaluations. Using administrative data from national standardized exams in Colombia and exogenous temperature variation, we estimate significant negative effects of heat on test scores. We further explore whether financial incentives can mitigate the cognitive costs of heat exposure, finding heterogeneous effects across socioeconomic groups. The results have implications for climate adaptation policies in education and for understanding the broader welfare costs of rising temperatures.
2024
Unlocking sustainable livestock production potential in the Colombian Amazon through paddock division and gender inclusivity
Scientific Reports, vol. 14(1), 13644, 2024
This study evaluates the impact of paddock division and gender-inclusive training programs on livestock productivity and sustainability in the Colombian Amazon. Using data from a randomized intervention in Caquetá, we find that paddock division significantly increases milk production per hectare while reducing land degradation. Farms with women's active participation in management decisions show additional productivity gains, highlighting the role of gender inclusivity in sustainable agricultural intensification.
2021
The risk of unintended deforestation from scaling sustainable livestock production systems
Conservation Science and Practice, vol. 3(9), e495, 2021
Scaling sustainable livestock production systems is widely promoted as a strategy to reduce deforestation. However, productivity gains may also incentivize herd expansion and land clearing. This paper assesses the risk of unintended deforestation from scaling silvopastoral and improved pasture systems in the Colombian Amazon. Using spatially explicit data and scenario analysis, we identify conditions under which intensification leads to rebound effects, and discuss policy safeguards to ensure that productivity gains translate into genuine conservation outcomes.
2017
Land-related grievances shape tropical forest cover in areas affected by armed conflict
Applied Geography, vol. 85, pp. 39–50, 2017
This paper examines how land-related grievances associated with armed conflict influence tropical forest cover in Colombia. Using spatial econometric methods and panel data from conflict-affected municipalities, we find that areas with higher incidences of land dispossession and forced displacement experienced greater deforestation. The results highlight the importance of addressing land tenure grievances as part of integrated strategies for peacebuilding and environmental conservation in post-conflict settings.
Identifying socioeconomic characteristics defining consumers' acceptance for main organoleptic attributes of an iron-biofortified bean variety in Guatemala
International Journal on Food System Dynamics, vol. 8(3), pp. 222–235, 2017
This paper identifies the socioeconomic characteristics that influence consumers' acceptance of key organoleptic attributes (taste, texture, color, and cooking time) of an iron-biofortified bean variety in Guatemala. Using discrete choice experiments and multinomial logit models, we find that household income, education, and prior familiarity with bean varieties significantly predict willingness to accept biofortified alternatives. The findings provide actionable insights for targeting and marketing strategies aimed at improving micronutrient intake through biofortification programs.
2016
Gestión ambiental y gobernanza en los municipios del Valle del Cauca
Ambiente y Sostenibilidad, vol. 5, pp. 78–96, 2016
Este artículo analiza la gestión ambiental y la gobernanza en los municipios del Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Se evalúa la capacidad institucional de los gobiernos locales para implementar políticas ambientales y se identifican los factores que determinan la efectividad de la gestión ambiental municipal. Los resultados muestran una heterogeneidad significativa en las capacidades institucionales, con municipios más pequeños enfrentando mayores restricciones presupuestales y técnicas para cumplir con sus obligaciones ambientales.
2015
The effect of specialty coffee certification on household livelihood strategies and specialisation
Food Policy, vol. 57, pp. 13–25, 2015
This paper examines the effect of specialty coffee certification on household livelihood strategies and agricultural specialisation among smallholder coffee producers in Colombia. Using survey data and propensity score matching, we find that certified households exhibit higher levels of coffee specialisation and derive a larger share of income from coffee production. However, certification does not uniformly improve overall household welfare, suggesting that the benefits of certification are mediated by market access conditions and household-level characteristics.