Start of the Study Cohort 2022
The Diploma in Agroecology with an emphasis on arid and semi-arid areas in Argentina of the Universidad Nacional de Los Comechingones proposes comprehensive training with practice, facing the necessity to respond to the increasing demand for local food that is healthy, free of toxic substances, nutrient-rich, and tasty, respectful of the natural processes and respectful of the environment.
Its main objective is to provide practice and comprehensive training in Agroecology, with an emphasis on arid and semi-arid areas in Argentina, for the development and promotion of sustainable ways of design and management of agroecosystems, and the distribution and commercialization of healthy food that are ecologically sustainable, socially just, economically viable, and culturally appropriate. Its purpose is to open academic borders for students from Argentina and Latin America through a virtual dictation modality.
Direction: Dra. Mg. Esp. en Agroecología Ing. Agr. Sandra Viviana Clemente
Co-direction: Dr. en Agroecología Mg. Ing. Agr. Damián Vega
Academic Coordination Staff: Dra. Sandra Viviana Clemente; Dr. Damián Vega; Esp. en Agroecología Ing. Agr. César Gramaglia
Start Date August 11, 2022
End Date June 29, 2023
200 hours (96 hours of synchronous classes and 104 hours of supervised autonomous work).
Curriculum structure
MÓDULE I
FUNDAMENTALS OF AGROECOLOGY:
Industrial agriculture crisis. Its social and environmental consequences. Agroecology definition. Integral and systemic approach. Dimensions: social, technical and productive, political, economic, and ecological. Principles. Sovereignty, security, and food quality. Agroecosystems dynamics. Natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Emerging properties: sustainability, productivity, stability, and resilience.
MÓDULE II
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS:
The basis for the design and management of agroecological production systems. Functional biodiversity. Planned and associated diversity. Living soil. Role of organic matter, microorganisms, macro- and micro-fauna. Diversification and soil health promotion practices: polycultures, rotations, fertilizer, bio-supplies. Agroecological management of plagues, diseases, and weeds. Management strategies to obtain healthy crops. Irrigation systems and water management. Collection, storage, and use of water for irrigation and domestic use.
MÓDULE III
RURAL TERRITORIES, AGRO-FOOD SYSTEM, AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY:
Rural territories and social actors. Heterogeneity of (agriculture) producers. Relevance of the family, peasant, and indigenous farming for the development of agroecology. Characteristics of the rural family economy. Processes of re- and de-ruralisation. Socio-organizational and social learning aspects in agroecology. Participatory-action-research, knowledge dialogue, and local knowledge. Agri-food system and its democratization. Food marketing and distribution circuits. Fundamentals of the social and solidarity economy. Scaling up of agroecology.
MÓDULE IV
EXPERIENCES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF AGROECOLOGY WITH EMPHASIS IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID AREAS OF ARGENTINA:
Productive systems and agrarian reality of the Conlara and Traslasierra Valleys. Agroecological production systems for potatoes, vegetables, and fruit trees in irrigated systems in the Cuyo region. Extensive agroecological production systems of grains and fodder in dry land in the Cuyo region. Mixed production systems in the native forest, utilization, and preservation in the Chaco region. Diversified rural production systems. Socio-organizational processes in rural and peri-urban communities related to distribution and marketing circuits and territorial disputes. Emblematic cases of implementation of Agroecology in humid regions of Argentina.
Actividad arancelada
La iniciativa cuenta con la participación de expertas/os de la
Sociedad Científica Latinoamericana de Agroecología (SOCLA):
• Dr. Miguel Altieri (Universidad de California Berkeley – EEUU /CELIA)
• Dra. Georgina Catacora-Vargas (Universidad Católica Boliviana – Unidad Académica Campesina Tiahuanacu)
• Dra. Inés Gazzano (Universidad de la República – Uruguay)
• Dra. Marina Sánchez de Prager (Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Palmira)
• Dra. Clara Nicholls (Universidad de California Berkeley – EE. UU./ CELIA)
• Dr. Agustín Infante (Director del Centro de Educación y Tecnología (CET) en la Región del Biobío, Chile)
• Dr. Peter Rosset (El Colegio de la Frontera Sur – ECOSUR – México)
• Dr. Manuel González de Molina (Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla – España)
Sociedad Argentina de Agroecología (SAAE) y del Círculo Argentino de Agroecología (CirAA):
• Mg. en Extensión Agropecuaria Ing. Agr. María Laura Costella (INTA La Consulta, Mendoza)
• Esp. en Agroecología Ing. Agr. Alejandra Beatriz Gallardo (INTA Zapala, Neuquén)
• Dra. en Ciencias Sociales Mg. en Agroecología Ing. Agr. Nela Lena Gallardo (FAUBA)
• Dra. Norma Gorosito (FAUBA, UNQUI)
• Esp. en Agroecología Ing. Agr. Rodolfo Adrián Tula (AER INTA Benito Juárez)
• Ing. Agr. Sofía Villemur Reyes (Técnica de agrupación “Crece desde el Pie”, La Consulta, Mendoza)
Universidad Nacional de los Comechingones:
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• Técnico Cristian Kloster
• MSc. Ing. Agr. Santiago Lusquiños
• Ing. Agr. Guillermo Más
• Ing. Agr. Pablo Hernán Venturelli
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