Agroecología en Uruaguay

Abstract

La agroecología en Uruguay se vincula desde el inicio a una postura crítica del modelo dominante de agricultura industrial y a la construcción de pensamiento alternativo. Impulsada desde los 80 por estudiantes, docentes universitarios, agricultores/as, Organizaciones No Gubernamentales y consumidores/as. Plantea la necesidad de proteger la naturaleza, fortalecer procesos ecológicos en los sistemas agrarios; junto con la preocupación sobre la concentración, extranjerización y acceso a la tierra; la problemática social y económica de la agricultura familiar y la soberanía alimentaria. Se opone al modelo neoliberal y su expresión en la gestión de los bienes de la naturaleza- el capitalismo productivista agrario- que determina severas consecuencias ambientales, sociales y económicas. El contexto actual plantea la profundización del modelo industrializado de agricultura y sus versiones (intensificación agrícola sustentable), continúa planteando aumentar la productividad, mediante la intensificación de los sistemas, uso de insumos, concentración de los medios de producción y segregación de la agricultura familiar. A la vez que se evidencian cada vez más sus impactos negativos y la sociedad plantea una fuerte preocupación ambiental. Distintos actores se encuentran impulsando la construcción de un Plan Nacional de Agroecología, dando cuenta de una larga historia de crítica, resistencia, investigación, construcción de alternativas. Manteniendo un compromiso multidimensional: político, social, cultural, ecológico – productivo, técnico y ético; en la construcción de sustentabilidad de los sistemas agroalimentarios. Proponiendo iniciar procesos de transición agroecológica, construyendo opciones de desarrollo sostenibles que se plantean desde lo agrario pero que lo trascienden porque se trasladan y emergen en toda la sociedad.

Summary: Agroecology in Uruguay Agroecology in Uruguay has been linked from the start to a critical view of the dominant model of industrial agriculture and to the construction of alternative thinking. Since the 80s, it has been promoted by students, university teachers, farmers, NGOs and consumers. It raises the need to protect nature, strengthen ecological processes in agricultural systems; along with concern about the concentration, foreign ownership and access to land; social and economic problems of the farming family and food sovereignty. It opposes the neoliberal model and its expression in managing nature -the agrarian productivist capitalism- that determines severe environmental, social and economic consequences. The current situation poses the deepening of the industrial model of agriculture and its versions (sustainable agricultural intensification) and it continues to resort to increasing the productivity by intensifying systems, the use of supplies, the concentration of production means and the segregation of the farming family. At the same time there is increasing evidence of its negative impacts and society poses a serious environmental concern. Different actors are promoting the construction of a National Plan of Agroecology, realizing a long history of criticism, resistance, research, construction of alternatives. They are trying to maintain a multidimensional commitment: political, social, cultural, ecological - productive, technical and ethical in this construction of sustainability in the agrifood systems. Also proposing to startSummary Agroecology in Uruguay Agroecology in Uruguay has been linked from the start to a critical view of the dominant model of industrial agriculture and to the construction of alternative thinking. Since the 80s, it has been promoted by students, university teachers, farmers, NGOs and consumers. It raises the need to protect nature, strengthen ecological processes in agricultural systems; along with concern about the concentration, foreign ownership and access to land; social and economic problems of the farming family and food sovereignty. It opposes the neoliberal model and its expression in managing nature -the agrarian productivist capitalism- that determines severe environmental, social and economic consequences. The current situation poses the deepening of the industrial model of agriculture and its versions (sustainable agricultural intensification) and it continues to resort to increasing the productivity by intensifying systems, the use of supplies, the concentration of production means and the segregation of the farming family. At the same time there is increasing evidence of its negative impacts and society poses a serious environmental concern. Different actors are promoting the construction of a National Plan of Agroecology, realizing a long history of criticism, resistance, research, construction of alternatives. They are trying to maintain a multidimensional commitment: political, social, cultural, ecological - productive, technical and ethical in this construction of sustainability in the agrifood systems. Also proposing to start agroecological transition processes, offering sustainable development options arising from the agrarian but that transcend it because they move in and emerge from society agroecological transition processes, offering sustainable development options arising from the agrarian but that transcend it because they move in and emerge from society.