The place of knowledge and technical processes in the midst of the conflict over the use of agrochemicals. Reflections from participant observation

Abstract

Agroecology is presented as a hopeful solution to the socio-environmental conflict related to the use of agrochemicals. However, dispensing with chemical inputs and transforming conventional systems to others with an agroecological approach entails a certain complexity for the producers. The possibility of starting an agroecological transition by the producers does not depend only on their will, on the contrary, there are various objective and symbolic structuring conditions that shape the way of thinking and acting of the producers in the face of the conflict. This article will focus on those conditioning aspects related to the place of knowledge and technical processes. Finally, a reflection on the role of professionals and the production of scientific knowledge from an interdisciplinary approach is shared. All this, based on the research guided by the ethnographic approach in the scenario of socio-environmental conflict around the use of agrochemicals in the district of General Las Heras, Buenos Aires, Argentina.