Des de mi punto de vista, el itinerario formativo, hasta la fecha lo marca el sistema capitalista, en este sentido, la agroecologia, propone acciones es antisistema, conceptos como justicia social, eficiencia energética, regeneración del suelo, preservación de la diversidad, son los pilares fundamentales,en los que se fundamenta la agroecologia, y sin embargo, un sistema intensivo de producción de alimentos, no los puede tener en cuenta, els sistema capitalista es incompatible con la vida,

Gracias,

fernando k

My studies leading to a Ph.D in agroecology started with biological science and an agricultural major in entomology and applied ecology then a Masters in agronomy based on soil microbiology and yield limiting factors of several major crops in the Western U.S. Agroecology studies included travels to and studies of existing and historical agricultural systems that were basically proven sustainable by being successful for hundreds or thousands of years. What can we learn from past and long term successful agroecological systems and what led to their downfall or their persistence/sustainability. I wrote a paper called "Ancient Hawaiian Agriculture as a model of sustainability" how did people survive at high population levels on an island chain 2400 miles from any mainland and they had no metals or use of chemicals. Seems like important knowledge, the principals behind the success of this system is what is important to know, they can be up dated with more modern tools. Thats what agroecology offers , studies of successful systems of the past and how they can be up dated with modern tools. See my paper on research gate on" Ancient Hawaiian agriculture as a model for sustainability" , my other research was, in Egypt, Belize (the maya), Native Americans and my own culture and back ground, the pioneer farmers of the susquehanna valley in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Dutch people which include successful farming cultures of the Amish and Mennonites. Keep in mind the successful agriculture systems of Native Americans introduced Maize, squash, Beans, potatoes , and other foods not well known today, acorns, camas root, arrowroot, cassava and others. The Industrial agriculture we now have is no way sustainable ecologically or economically.

A good agroecologist must have a strong background in agronomy, entomology, sociology, agricultural economics, meteorology, botany, ecology, and soil science.

must have apprenticed on a farm, preferably a permaculture farm. what have you grown?

In the modern sense, Agroecology is a science whose main goal is to protect and scientifically justify the rational use of land and other natural resources to keep the soil, water and air clean.

Main tasks of science

* Consideration of issues of ecologization of agriculture;

* Search for opportunities for rational implementation of land reclamation and agrotechnical measures;

* Solving the problems of resource-saving technologies for crop cultivation;

* Creation of tools for obtaining high-quality crop products;

· Improving solutions for the reproduction of soil fertility;

· Agri-environment monitoring and so on.

Representatives of this profession have the skills to develop rational systems for reproducing soil fertility in different natural and economic conditions and, as a result, to obtain high-quality crop production. Also, certified specialists will be engaged in conducting agroecological examinations and even forming an environmental policy in the agro-industrial complex.

In my point of view, the best way to achieve good results with students is to follow the interactive learning methods. We could fulfill that by convincing and connecting them with the principal itself . If they believe in the concept they will be passionate about finding the most effective to attain good results in labour market

I will say I was influenced as a small child spending time on my grandfathers farm back in the 50's , My family farmed in S.E Pennsylvania since 1733 , I eventually took over the farm and went biodynamic/Organic , raised Corn, alfalfa, vegetables, cattle, pigs, and sheep. A mixed farm operation. I then moved west in the 70's and started an organic farm in N.W Montana, organic vegetables and sheep. I then set up a farm and a farm service and consulting business in S. Idaho and was selling organic vegetables like carrots and squash to the California emerging organic market and converting my clients to organic and biological farming. Eventually I moved to San Diego Country and finished my research thesis (agroecokogy). I had an Avocado and lime farm as well as working as an IPM and pest management consultant and contract bio-pesticide researcher.

Then for almost 2 decades i had a mixed permaculture farm on the big island of Hawaii, coffee, avocado, citrus, banana, Hair sheep. I am now mostly required but I have a farm in W. Oregon , I farmed grass seed, small grains and lots of berries, vegetables and tree fruits. My experience is from the far north to the tropics and I have seen the changes from the small farms to the present industrial agriculture, gives me a kind of pessimistic outlook but hopeful due to the growing acceptance of organic and biological methods by consumers. I consult with people trying to make the change, My latest experience is with new newly emerging hemp crop.

I think that you are asking about general skills required in the future circular economy, as listed in the enclosed file...

Learn to unlearn, de-program a series of activities, imposed during decades by the green revolution, work from the mad, to reach the global, reduce the links that are part of the food system, increase the self-esteem of the farmer, put it in value , consider it as an ecosystem server, consider it, recognize the organic farmer as the guarantor of diversity, and therefore of sustainability, certify the environmental footprint of the food product, so that the consumer can choose.

A new ethic that considers values different from those of the consumer society.

An understanding of evolutionary biology and ecology is helpful for agricultural scientists working on regenerative agriculture. Studying the natural history of an intervention site is helpful for assessing the types of crops and species that have been historically grown in any given area, prior to the industrialisation of agriculture. Knowledge and practical experience on allelopathic interactions between plants, and with other organisms can provide useful insights in designing companion planting and introduction of beneficial microorganisms or insects into the production system.

In my view, agroecology should bridge knowledge of natural sciences and social and political dynamics. Therefore, I would say that young researchers in agroecology should have a strong background in agricultural sciences and a specialization in either ecology, evolutionary biology and/or anthropology, sociology, political sciences. There are maybe several complementary profiles of agroecologists!

Dear Colleagues, We must not forget that since its origins in Latin America, agroecology has been oriented to agricultural development more sensitive to the complexities of local agriculture with an emphasis on the reproduction of the family allowing that the communities help themselves to achieve a collective improvement of rural life at the local level. In this sense some competences should be oriented to empathy and dialogue of knowledges, critical thinking, teamwork and coworking, identification of communities' and peasants' needs and problems' resolutions

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers and comments so far. At this point it would be interesting to know if there is an evaluation instrument, or instruments out there to assess agroecologists' preparedness to move agriculture and food systems towards sustainability. If there are none perhaps the time has come to produce one.

Dear colleague Bruno Borsari. Depending on the education research's approach you can adapt the instrument to evaluate your goals. For example, you can assess the perception of students and peasants who worked together. After that you can compare among them and finally check on the farm if the change was implemented and verify its efficacy and accuracy. If these three elements have an important coincidence you will be probably very near to achieve the goal.

Good luck!