In a country where conventional agriculture occupies more than two million hectares, agroecology emerges as an alternative gaining ground. A new generation of producers in Uruguay is driving comprehensive systems that conceive food production as a living ecosystem, responding to increasingly informed and demanding consumers.
These farmers seek to combine local economic development with sustainable practices, offering foods with higher nutritional value and social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Principles of Agroecology
According to agronomist Juan Miraballes, founder of Granja Agroecológica MIBRO in Maldonado, agroecology integrates ecological, social, and economic principles that promote:
- Biological diversity.
- Sustainable soil management.
- Water conservation.
- Prosperity of rural communities.
- Local development.
Unlike industrial agriculture, focused on yield and transport resistance, agroecology prioritizes soil health, resulting in more nutritious and safer foods.
Nutritional Benefits
Agroecological foods present:
- Between 40 and 50% more nutrients.
- Between 20 and 70% more antioxidants.
- Lower accumulation of dangerous nitrates.
- Better fatty acid profile (Omega-3).
These results are due to the promotion of soil microbiology, which enhances the synergy between nutrients and plants.
A Consumer Revolution
Miraballes highlights that there is a “consumer revolution”, pressing for the system to change. Buyers seek healthy and traceable foods, making the agroecological market a global economic engine:
- United States: largest global market.
- Europe: leader in per capita consumption.
- Latin America: major producer and emerging market.
New Rural Entrepreneurs
In Uruguay and the region, young producers with technical training are emerging, independent of external inputs and close to their customers. These ventures combine three key factors:
- Production: techniques that improve the productive and environmental setting.
- Economy: independence from conventional inputs, with direct income from the consumer.
- Society: direct relationship with customers, building community loyalty.
The Case of MIBRO
Granja Agroecológica MIBRO integrates various techniques:
- Biodynamics in planning.
- Permaculture in space design.
- Irrigation technology and modern infrastructures.
- Bio-inputs from organic agriculture.
- Agroecology as the axis of production, economy, and society.
“Innovation lies in the integration of techniques,” concludes Miraballes.
Key Data
- Certified farms in Uruguay doubled between 2012 and 2021 (MGAP).
- The organic food market reached US$ 6 million in 2021 (MGAP).
- 92% of agroecological farms are family-owned (MGAP).
- In Latin America, organic product consumption grew by more than 150% in 15 years (FIDA 2024).
- Argentina and Brazil lead in area and export, while Uruguay stands out for having 15.3% of its territory in organic production (FiBL & IFOAM, 2023).
International Context and Challenges
The pressure from export markets (EU and USA) demands greater sustainability and reduction of agrochemicals. Additionally:
- The war in Ukraine and international instability have driven up the price of chemical fertilizers, favoring the transition to bio-inputs.
- Climate change and recurrent droughts reinforce the need for models based on diversity and living soils.
- The Uruguay Natural brand and the support of MGAP through Law 19.717 and the National Agroecology Plan create a favorable environment.
Agroecology in Uruguay is not just a productive alternative: it is a silent revolution that combines technical innovation, environmental awareness, and social demand.
With increasingly informed consumers and committed producers, the country positions itself as a regional benchmark in the transition towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Source: Granja Agroecológica MIBRO
