Conflict, climate, and cattle: strategic dilemmas in Colombia’s Orinoquía beef industry

Abstract This teaching case study examines the interlinked challenges of climate risk, armed conflict, and institutional fragility in Colombia’s Orinoquía region — an emerging frontier in the global beef trade. At the center is Felipe Torrado Lobera, a fictional but representative cattle producer and community leader facing strategic dilemmas around climate-smart adaptation, market traceability, and inclusive rural development. Through Felipe’s story, students explore the trade-offs involved in navigating informal land tenure, weak governance, and fragmented policy environments. Designed for senior undergraduate and graduate-level instruction in agribusiness, development, and sustainability strategy, the case invites students to apply tools such as value chain analysis, TOWS matrices, and scenario planning. It fosters critical thinking and systems-based reasoning to support inclusive transitions in fragile agricultural value chains.