Resumen en español

This article analyzes the opportunities and achievements of agricultural workers in a rural area of Monteria and its implications in the structure, size and composition of the household, in the context of macroeconomic public policy. It’s a descriptive cross-sectional study, in which 100 workers selected by simple random sampling participated. Survey, focus groups and participant observation were the techniques to collect the information. Confidence intervals of 95% were assumed, a maximum error of 0.07 and a probability of success of 0.2. The results refer to the age range of the population of working age which was between 18 to 87 years of age, from which 87% are male and 13% female. Absolute illiteracy stood at 20% and 29% households are formed by 7-12 people. 90% of the population lack permanent employment and 97% earn less than the minimum wage. The ineffectiveness of public policies and the model based on open international trade, limit the choices of people to