Una aproximación a las semejanzas y diferencias entre propuestas metodológicas latinoamericanas para la evaluación de agroecosistemas desde el enfoque de la sustentabilidad - Similarities and differences on Latin American sustainability agroecosystems evaluations

El uso de indicadores en la evaluación de sistemas agrícolas con un enfoque agroecológico: el caso de los viñateros de berisso, argentina

Abstract: El logro de un desarrollo sustentable requiere de sistemas agricolas sustentables, para lo cual, son necesarios mecanismos de evaluacion en tal sentido. Se analiza el uso de indicadores como herramienta para evaluar la sustentabilidad ecologica, aplicado dentro de un marco metodologico con enfoque agroecologico, y utilizado en los sistemas agricolas de vid en Berisso, Argentina. Palabras clave: agroecologia, agricultura sustentable, indicadores, sustentabilidad.

Evaluación de la sustentabilidad de sistemas agrícolas de fincas en misiones, argentina, mediante el uso de indicadores

Abstract: The evaluation of agroecosystems sustainability requires to transform complex aspects in another more simple, objectives and generals that allow to detect tendencies at a system level, called indicators. The aim of this paper was to develop a set of indicators to evaluate the sustainability of traditional agroecosystems in Misiones, Argentina. Five farms, dedicates to self-production were analysed. A set of indicators was constructed to evaluate the fulfi lled of Economics, Ecological and Socio-cultural objectives. The indicators were standardized and weighted according to its importance. The use of indicators allowed to detect clear tendencies in general sustainability index and in the ecological, economical and sociocultural dimensions. The ecological sustainability of these agroecosystems was associated to economical and sociocultural aspects. The system were ecologically sound, based on low external inputs, compatible with farmer conscience and provide an adequate diet for the family. This system fulfi lled ecological and sociocultural objectives, but only partially the economical ones. Then, farmers have to produce tobacco crop that responds to a technological model based on high inputs use to obtain economical benefi ts. It is concluded that the development of indicators is adequate to detect critical point to sustainability, to understand its causes and to propose solutions on a long time.

Methods to assess farming sustainability in developing countries. A review

Abstract: Sustainable agricultural development is fundamental to food security and poverty alleviation, notably in developing countries. Many development initiatives focus on the enhancement of smallholder production and productivity because the majority of poor people in developing countries live in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. The consequences of these development initiatives need to be assessed before implementation to reduce the risk of possible negative impacts. This can be done by applying ex ante sustainability impact assessment. Here, we compare methods of assessment of sustainability impact for farming interventions. We review methodological approaches and verify whether the requirements of sustainability impact assessment theory are fulfilled. Our major points are the following: (1) main methodological approaches do not fulfill the requirements defined in the theoretical sustainability impact assessment discourse. (2) The active involvement of different stakeholder groups throughout the assessment process and the possibility of learning and exchange are fundamental to sustainability impact assessment. (3) The institutional dimension of sustainability is not yet sufficiently integrated. We therefore suggest institutional criteria and indicators to be also considered in the sustainability impact assessment framework. We argue that sustainability impact assessment, respecting the interactive involvement of all stakeholder groups throughout the whole process, is a compulsory element in project planning for a sustainable agricultural development in developing countries.

Un método agroecológico rápido para evaluación de la sostenibilidad de cafetales

Abstract: RESUMEN. Se propone una metodologia para estimar la calidad del suelo y la salud de un cultivo, utilizando indicadores sencillos de emplear. Con base en la estimacion de estos indicadores, el productor y el investigador pueden determinar el estado agroecologico de la plantacion.Con los valores obtenidos para cada indicador se construyen diagramas tipo "ameba", que permiten visualizar el estado general de la calidad del suelo y la salud del cultivo, considerando que mientras mas se aproxime la "ameba" al diametro del circulo (valor 10, optimo) el sistema es mas sostenible. La metodologia,aunque fue disenada para cafe,es aplicable a otros agroecosistemas. Ademas permite estimar la sostenibilidad en forma comparativa o relativa, monitoreando la evolucion de un mismo agroecosistema a traves del tiempo, o comparando dos o mas agroecosistemas con diferente manejo o estados de transicion.

Aspectos metodológicos en la evaluación de la sostenibilidad de sistemas agrosilvopastoriles

Abstract: En este articulo se aportan algunos elementos metodologicos para el uso de indicadores orientados a evaluar la sostenibilidad de los sistemas agrosilvopastoriles. Desde el punto de vista teorico se abordan: (I) las bases para la seleccion y/o construccion de indicadores, (II) los fundamentos generales para evaluar de forma multidimensional a la sostenibilidad, y (III) los procedimientos para el uso de indicadores en la evaluacion de la sostenibilidad de sistemas agrosilvopastoriles. Desde el punto de vista practico, se sintetizan los resultados de la aplicacion de la teoria en dos ejercicios de evaluacion de la sostenibilidad de sistemas agrosilvopastoriles: (I) uno con ovinos criollos en Los Altos de Chiapas, Mexico, y (II) otro con cabras lecheras en la Sierra Norte de Cadiz, Espana. Con ello, se pretende motivar a los academicos a identificar, desarrollar, integrar (agregar) y utilizar nuevos indicadores en la perspectiva de evaluar la sostenibilidad de los diversos sistemas agrosilvopastoriles. Dichas evaluaciones: (I) permiten identificar las limitantes, las potencialidades y las oportunidades de los sistemas; (II) son un instrumento valioso en la toma de decisiones multicriterio para el diseno planificado de escenarios deseables; y (III) guian la identificacion de intervenciones planificadas en los sistemas para modificar las tendencias actuales no deseables

Evaluación de la sustentabilidad de dos sistemas de producción de cacao: estudios de caso en unidades de producción rural en comalcalco, tabasco

Abstract: The Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resources Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability Indicators (MESMIS) was used to comparatively evaluate the sustainability of two cocoa production farms in the municipality of Comalcalco, Tabasco during 2006. The method of Case Studies was used combining quantitative and qualitative approaches of research, and including participative methods. Two cocoa production farms, one organic and one conventional were selected with the aid of key informants. Sustainability was evaluated using 22 indicators selected after identifying critical points in each case and applying participative exercises with the farmers. The analysis of the results considered the categories of the attributes and the dimensions of sustainability. The results revealed that the highest sustainability was obtained by the organic farm with a sustainability value of 67.75 %, the conventional value being 47.32 %. The organic farm was nearer the desirable value of sustainability as a result of its values of adaptability, equity and self-sufficiency. In the analysis of the dimensions of sustainability, the organic farm scored the highest sustainability values, particularly in the Environmental dimension. Both systems of production can improve their sustainability if an integral agroecological management is implemented including the updating of knowledge and practical skills through professional assistance, the involvement of the farmers in local markets and the promotion of the autonomy of the farms.