Campesinas construyendo la utopía: mujeres, organizaciones y agroindustrias rurales

this article analyzes success factors of agro-industry organizations led by rural women through empirical research in nine small groups located in the department of cundinamarca, colombia. it has been argued that the decisive factor for collective action success is the activation of social networks existing in the area, a situation that is stimulated and kept running by broadening political opportunities and constructing solidarity values. the organizations participating in the study have resulted from the autonomous institutionalization of common cultural assumption and perceive strengthening the social tissue and the construction of various skills as a prior condition. likewise, the multifunctional character of this agro-industry has been confirmed due to its capability to contribute to these women's power control, the generation of public goods for the rest of the community, and the construction of horizontal and vertical links to benefit local economy.