ABSTRACT
The growth of ecological agriculture in some Latin American countries has been supported or studied by several scholars. Among them, Brandenburg (2002) identified three important phases in its trajectory: (i) emergence of a movement against industrialization of agricultural production; (ii) formation of new groups and social organization forms; and (iii) institutionalization of ecologically based agriculture, accompanied by a partial dilution of its principles. However, a fourth stage of redefinition and recomposition of several alternative agriculture versions can be seen, in which agroecology occupies an important place and influence in agriculture (Ollivier and Bellon, 2011) and rural development (Caporal, 2006). Accordingly, we intend to retrace this process of agroecology recomposition in Latin America, by describing its characteristics and determinants. This is a gradual alternative agriculture regrouping process, under the umbrella of agroecology, whose realm is defended by numerous social players (institutional agencies, social movements and scientific networks).
