Keywords:
Active participation, Agroecosystem, Intervention design, Sustainability, Transdisciplinary
Abstract
Agricultural production is a complex and dinamic system. It is affected by environmental, political, social, cultural, economic, and technological factors. The problems related to agroecosystems must be studied from a multidimensional perspective that guarantees obtaining solutions applicable to local conditions. Some existing methodologies offer tools that allow analysis to be obtained, they do not provide a framework that considers minimum requirements for the design of interventions. Based on the results obtained in the agricultural research and the work carried out with farmers, a comprehensive analysis was made and a multidimensional methodology with a systemic and transdisciplinary approach that allows analyzing and evaluating is proposed agroecosystems, and measure the effect of interventions designed to improve them. The methodology has 11 phases that include the definition of the object of study, the diagnosis of the current situation, the design and application of interventions to the analysis of experimental results and presentation of results.
Author Biographies
Martha Elena Domínguez-Hernández, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Professor and researcher in the Department of Agronomic Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, as well as a member of the National System of Researchers. She is interested in the agricultural application of multidimensional sustainability impact assessment, participatory research, systems thinking and geographic information systems. Using these tools, her research focuses on the understanding of Mexican Agroecosystems and sustainable intensification of production to meet the food needs of a growing population while reducing environmental impact.
Rosalba Zepeda-Bautista, Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Professor and Researcher in the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, Higher School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Postgraduate in Systems Engineering, as well as a member of the National System of Researchers. Her lines of research include various topics related to Sustainability of production systems, Sustainable food production, Biological and physical methods for producing food, Seed technology and quality, Genetic improvement of plants, Food production and quality, Design of experiments, Automated equipment for use in agriculture, Development and evaluation of fertilizers for sustainable food production. Publication of scientific articles, Books and book chapters, Contributions to conferences, Intellectual property, Training of human resources for Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees, Evaluator of research projects, Reviewer and technical editor of articles, and activities of linkage with farmers.
