La Plata Basin’s Agroecological Seal of Identity

Hundreds of farmers across the La Plata Basin are engaged in agroecology, a system of farming that works in harmony with ecosystems, helps protect and restore biodiversity and strengthens farmers and their communities. To support and promote their efforts, we have developed the La Plata Basin’s Agroecological Seal of Identity. Introduced in 2020, the seal of identity highlights the value of agroecological practices and the quality of agroecological products. The seal helps show agroecology’s important role in the region’s local economies, and fosters the connection of local consumers and producers with the La Plata Basin wetlands.

Supporting food producers

Through the seal of identity, we support local small-scale agricultural producers throughout the La Plata Basin in taking up agroecological production, improving their methods as well as strengthening their access to markets. For many small-scale local producers, national or international certification schemes are completely unattainable due to high costs and complicated procedures. We therefore devised our own participatory guarantee systems to improve the local producers’ ability to get certification. Membership in the seal gives producers access to training on agroecological production, product enhancement, quality control and marketing. By complying with the quality standards of the seal, agroecological producers are better able to market their unique products. Members produce a wide range of products, including local fruits and vegetables, nuts, Yerba Mate tea, and even a special wetlands honey.

In Paraguay, many Yerba Mate producers are being certified for the Agroecological Seal of Identity.

Membership of the seal gives access to training, for example in product enhancement

Quality and community

National agroecological platforms have been organised across the La Plata Basin – in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia. The platforms organise trainings and workshops in agroecological techniques, which are known to attract hundreds of participants. The platforms organise seed exchanges and agroecological fairs and markets, and facilitate exchange visits among producers.
 
Each national platform is responsible for upholding the seal’s national standards. Local producers and technicians have been trained to serve as evaluators, applying a unified, robust criteria across the region. In Bolivia, the platform and the seal of identity have been officially recognised by the municipal government – clear proof of the quality and potential of this unique initiative.
 
An important goal of the seal of identity is to foster community among the La Plata Basin’s producers and consumers. By being part of the seal, agricultural producers are making a difference in the region. They are working together, sharing knowledge and exchanging materials. For consumers, the seal offers a means to directly support the region’s agroecological producers and contribute to the health of the La Plata Basin ecosystem.

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