03403naa a2200169 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000200006024500910008026000090017152028590018065000160303965300170305565300200307270000150309277301260310719443012021-07-14       2012    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d1 aABREU, L. S. de  aThe dynamics and recomposition of agroecology in Latin America.h[electronic resource]  c2012  aThe growth of ecological agriculture in some Latin Anlerican countries has been supported Dr srudied by several scholars. Among them, Brandenburg (2002) identified three important phases in its trajectory: (i) emergence of a movement against industrialization of agricultural production; (ii) formation of new groups and social organization forms; and (iii) institutionalization of ecologically based agriculture, accompanied by a partial dilution of its principies. However, a fourth stage of redefinition and recomposition of several alternative agriculture versions can be seen, in which agroeco\ogy occupies an important place and influence in agriculture (Ollivier and Bellon, 2011) and rural developmenr (Caporal, 2006). Accordingly, we intend to retrace this process of agroecology recomposition in Latin America, by describing its characteristics and determinants. This is a gradual alternative agriculture regrouping process, under the umbrella of agroecology, whose realm is defended by numerous social players. Agroecology can be viewed as a scientific proposaI, a set of practices and a social movement (Wezel et aI., 2009). It relies on ecological and social principles and aims to promote changes in the conventional agricultural production process, through an interdisciplinary approach, with the support of participative research work (interaction with rural development players and farmers) and valuing local or lay knowledge. Its future is at stake in this fourth moment. Will agroecology be a new scientific paradigm leading to specific research topics, an alternative way to do research, reconnectin science, nature and society? Will it contribute to sustainable livelihoods, especially for aml y armers, or be a cornerstone for the development of agricultural enterprises? Will it be appropriated by social movements to support agricultural and rural transitions? ln order to contribute to answer these issues, this chapter includes five sections. After describing our approach, we show that family farming is socially and economically important in Latin Anlerica, with part of the certified production originating therefrom. We stress the need for taking into accoun tlocal conditions and differentiated groups of family producers characterized by both social and cultural differences and diversity of ecologically inspired production styles. Another aspect dealt with is the history of alternative agriculture from the 1970s, with identification of its successive events and characteristics, and the dynamics of alternative agriculture into the building up of agroecology and its different features in Latin Arnerica. Then, we analyse the current status of agroecology structuring in Latin America, i.e. the elements favoring the setting up of research and development programmes, as well as the participation of social movements .  aAgroecology  aAgroecologia  aAmérica Latina1 aBELLON, S.  tIn: HALBERG, N.; MULLER, A. (Ed.). Organic agriculture for sustainable livelihoods. London: Routeledge, 2012. p. 223-245.