Red de Agroecología of Uruguay Participative Guarantee System: learning and challenges to twelve years of its creation

Abstract

It analyzes the experience of twelve years of operation of the network Red de Agroecología
of Uruguay and its Participative System of Guarantee for the evaluation of quality of organic
farming. Red de Agroecología articulates farmers, consumers and technicians and has its action
in the domestic market, giving priority to short marketing circuits. The seal of the network
is the only one authorized by the national authorities and is legitimized by farmers, consumers
and marketers. The Participatory Certification Program contributes to the consolidation of the
collective and to the generation of identity and trust among its members. The growth of the
sector creates new challenges for the organization. Positive and negative critical points are
presented based on the diagnosis of the members of the network and a project to strengthen
the organization is analyzed