Agroecology in Venezuela

Agroecology is an interdisciplinary practice that integrates the study of ecology within food systems, encompassing ecological, social and economic dimensions. This movement arises as a response to the negative consequences to the environment generated by agro-industry, proposing concepts and principles to design sustainable agroecosystems. However, in Venezuela and specifically in the state of Mérida, the knowledge of these alternative practices is incipient, these alternative practices are still in early stages and it is necessary to strengthen them. The majority of producers expressed strong environmental values ​and the implementation of new techniques is in favor of conserving it. Finally, thanks to the mountainous component and the pronounced altitudinal gradient, the variation of the items depend mainly on the ecological unit in which the farms are located, with chives, followed by corn and lettuce, the most cultivated crops. In the future, it could be verified by analytical methods the agroecological level of each production unit as well as disseminate the advantages of this sustainable trend to promote its application in the Mérida State.

La Pelota Farm, Ecological unit Selva Semicaducifolia montana La Joya-Mérida

Source:Perdomo, S., Sarmiento, L., & Smith, J. (2018). Diagnóstico de la agricultura alternativa en el Estado Mérida y áreas adyacentes: limitaciones, fortalezas y perspectivas de los productores. Trabajo Especial de Grado, Licenciatura en Biología. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de Los Andes. Mérida-Venezuela. pp 212.