A Systematized Review of the Contribution of Social Networks to Agroecological Knowledge Transfer in Farming Communities

Abstract

The impact of human actions on the environment is enormous, it reached a planetary scale. One of the solutions proposed for solving the unsustainability of global agriculture and food systems is agroecology. Human behavior is a driving force for environmental change. Since social networks are primary channels of information flow between humans and profoundly affect human behavior; it is important to explore their impact and linkages to agroecology and knowledge transfer. Therefore, this study aims to assess the contribution of social networks in agroecological information transfer in farming communities using a systematized review that explored three different databases. Results showed that social networks are vehicles that transmit knowledge, nonetheless it is important to recognize what type of knowledge is transmitted and who are the powerful actors that initiate this process. Moreover, the farmers’ characteristics, motivation and vision could also affect knowledge acquisition. Finally, it is important to highlight a theme that appeared throughout this paper: asymmetric power relation and inequality. This was present in different levels, whether between different actors (individuals and institutions) in the networks or between countries. In order to transmit agroecological knowledge different engagement level should be present: individual, community, national and international.