Bridging the gap: Understanding farmer-system dynamics in the transition toward sustainable coffee production in Costa Rica

Summary

This thesis explores the challenges and dynamics of implementing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Costa Rica, emphasizing the need for systemic and individual-level changes. The thesis analyzes the historical development of CSA policies, examines the relationship between farmers and policy contexts, and investigates the drivers influencing farmers' adoption of CSA technologies. Contributions to the literature include insights into transformative policy mixes, the role of individual agency in sustainability transitions, and a nuanced understanding of CSA adoption. Furthermore, the study underscores the mutual responsiveness between policy context and farmers' decisions, shedding light on its recursive nature and ongoing interaction.