ECOLOGICAL CERTIFICATION, AN AGRICULTURAL DUALITY: Improving the prosperity of the farmer and the environment

Abstract

The demand for ecological products in the world increases annually, and its growth is connected in response to problems associated with the industrialization of foods and the indiscriminate use of chemical inputs in conventional agricultural systems, identified as precursors of environmental pollution and loss of biodiversity and social properties. Many farmers have opted for trying to change their system from conventional to ecological agriculture, with the objective of improving their final benefits, in addition to making safer the offer of foods for consumers in this segment of the market. The decision to adopt these standards is an initiative of producers and organizations with the aim of differentiating their products within the final markets. The Working with People model was applied, related to the decision experience of a Spanish Agricultural Society, in its change of production system, impact on the prosperity of their partners and environmental improvement. The results showed that the development of prosperity of the Production Society is linked to ecological certifications of the crops. The acceptance of the products offered depended on the demand of the international ecological market, therefore, the change from conventional to ecological agriculture supported the improvement of the living quality of farmers, stemming from improving their prosperity, understood as ensuring economic, social activity and environmental benefits.