Good agricultural practices in horticultural production under cover in the LVRN, Patagonia, Argentina

The surface area of covered crops in the lower valley of the Negro River (Patagonia, Argentina) is significant, producing first fruits in summer and leafy vegetables in winter. Producers are interested in transitioning to agroecology, moving away from traditional management of horticultural crops. The objective of this work was to characterize vegetable production under cover in the Lower Valley of the Negro River. To achieve this, greenhouses of producers employing both management systems were surveyed. The methodology proposed by Sarandon was used, focusing on three dimensions of analysis: economic, social, and environmental. A survey was designed with indicators suggested by experts, and 16 establishments were visited to analyze the structure of the greenhouses, the crops present, and the quality of the soil and water. Most producers are beginning their activities with small modules, covering less than 2000 m2, with structures made of treated wood and covered with polyethylene. The technological level is low, requiring training and technical assistance to meet the local demand, with expectations of sustained growth over time. Around 10 different vegetables are grown in winter, and between 5 and 7 species in summer, with tomatoes being predominant. Since producers in agroecological transition have only recently started, they differ from traditional producers in crop diversity, soil physicochemical and biological conservation, and low dependence on external inputs.