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Development of agroecological production systems: Dimensions and indicators for their study

Abstract:

In Latin America, processes of transition and conversion of agricultural systems from conventional production to agroecological production systems have been promoted. However, it has not been possible to observe their development, because the technological focus on social problems has prevailed. This research was carried out with the objective of designing a proposal of dimensions and indicators for the integral study of the level of development of agroecological production systems. Methodologically it involved the analysis of approaches and theories under a deductive rationalist episteme. The results suggest the need to advance from the model based on the production-consumption relationship to the analysis of the complex relationships that exist between the ecosystem and cultures, studying the effect of human intervention on ecosystems, incorporating holistic analysis tools to address socio-ecological systems, which emphasize the ecological rationality of agroecological agriculture. It concludes in an agroecological social transition approach with three dimensions: Socio-cultural (dynamics of social cooperation); socio-policy (public policies of agroecological development) and eco-structural, (management of natural resources), which should express a better productive economic rationality of the agroecological system (social conditions, productivity, environmentally friendly technology), considered as a proxy variable of the degree of development.