Intervención profesional con el grupo “Quinua Patagónica” en la producción agroecológica de la quinua en el valle inferior del río Negro

Abstract

Quinoa production (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd), recently introduced in the valle inferior del río Negro (VIRN), is an alternative crop to diversify the production system. The producers affirm that the difficulties are linked to management and correspond to mistakes caused by ignorance and lack of experience in this type of crops. The objective of the professional intervention work was to accompany and strengthen the productive and organizational capacities of the “Quinua Patagónica” (QP) group in the agro-ecological production of quinoa in the VIRN, during the 2017-2018 season on a surface area of less than half a hectare. This agricultural extension activity was approached from an intervention strategy based on the dialogue of knowledge (Freire, 1969), through participatory methodologies, in which the rural actors of the process are in charge of building and systematizing knowledge to consciously influence agricultural systems (Caporal & Costabeber, 2001; Guzmán, 2017). The participatory techniques used developed group processes of valorization of capacities and recognition of interests, limitations, expectations and needs that contributed to the construction of objectives and goals in the productive system. From the analysis of the fieldwork, is possible to interpret the positive influence of the rural intervention of the agronomist, for promoting and contributing to the collective construction of knowledge and tools that generated an increase in the level of internal organization of the group, as well as an advance in the assimilation of theoretical and practical foundations that guided the management of the crop and allowed obtaining yields close to 700-800 kg / ha. Therefore, feasibility of the agroecological production of this Andean species in the VIRN is demonstrated. On he other hand, the analysis of this experience interprets as the main weakness of the QP group the lack of its own physical space to carry out its project in the long term, so it is recommended to review aspects related to the right of access and tenure of the land for the development of new agro-ecological projects.