The First Ecuadorian Society of Agrophysics

The First Ecuadorian Society of Agrophysics (SEA) was founded on April 15, 2026, by Ecuadorian scientist Donato Benincasa Paredes as an independent scientific organization aimed at the development, promotion, and consolidation of agrophysics in Ecuador. Its creation responds to the need to establish a formal institutional structure that integrates applied physics with agricultural systems, strengthening scientific research, technological innovation, and knowledge transfer to the productive sector.

Agrophysics is defined as an interdisciplinary field that studies the physical processes occurring in agricultural systems, including soil dynamics, energy transfer, water balance, radiative interaction, crop physics, and environmental conditions that influence agricultural productivity. Its application enables the scientific modeling of productive systems and the optimization of resources in diverse agricultural contexts.

The SEA is established as an open and inclusive organization, allowing the participation of farmers, scientists, students, technicians, and individuals with or without a university degree. This model seeks to integrate empirical field knowledge with formal academic knowledge, promoting a collective construction of scientific understanding.

Access and membership in the Ecuadorian Society of Agrophysics are completely free of charge, with no fees of any kind, and are open to all individuals regardless of academic background, age, or origin, ensuring universal access to scientific knowledge and participation in research and development activities.

Those interested in joining the society may contact the institutional number +593 99 756 1752, which is used for member enrollment, coordination of scientific activities, and internal organization.

The permanent headquarters of the society is established in the city of Latacunga, Cotopaxi Province, selected for its agricultural relevance, strategic location, and direct connection to various productive regions of Ecuador.

Institutional Structure

The SEA adopts a hierarchical-functional structure based on principles of organizational clarity, academic responsibility, and operational efficiency.

General Directorate

President: Donato Benincasa Paredes
Vice President: Narciza Elizabeth Paredes Lucio
Secretary: Jared Iescas González
Treasurer: Paul Moreno Arteaga

The General Directorate is the governing body of the institution, responsible for official representation, strategic planning, and overall administration of the society.

Scientific Advisory Board

Scientific Advisor: Fabián Jumbo

The Scientific Advisory Board provides transversal academic guidance, ensuring scientific coherence, methodological quality, and rigor in the research developed within the society.

Scientific Council

Director of Research: Solange Acuña

The Scientific Council is responsible for planning, evaluating, and supervising research projects, ensuring their scientific relevance and applicability within the field of agrophysics.

Technical Departments

Director of Innovation and Technology: Leyder Zuluaga
Director of Farmer Engagement: Paúl Sebastián Moreno

The Technical Departments are responsible for implementing the institution’s strategic objectives, promoting the application of science in agricultural contexts, technological innovation, and linkage with the productive sector.

Institutional Coordinations

Coordinator of Training and Education: Adriana Toscano
Coordinator of International Projects: Raymundo Mendoza Cárdenas

These units manage training programs, scientific capacity building, and international cooperation projects.

Educational Advisory Council

Francisco Javier Paredes – Principal of Unidad Educativa General Eloy Alfaro

This council strengthens the relationship between the scientific society and the educational system, promoting science education, knowledge dissemination, and institutional participation in research processes.

Participation Model, Governance, and Social Projection

The SEA is based on an open participation model that allows the integration of actors with different educational backgrounds, including individuals with or without university degrees. This approach fosters a collaborative scientific environment where practical field knowledge and academic theoretical knowledge complement each other within a unified working system.

As part of its organizational structure, the SEA establishes annual elections aimed at democratizing institutional leadership and ensuring active member participation in decision-making processes. This mechanism strengthens transparency, leadership renewal, and organizational stability.

Membership in the society is completely free and open to all individuals without restrictions, promoting universal access to science and research.

In terms of social and scientific projection, the SEA will develop multiple projects in rural areas of Ecuador aimed at strengthening national agriculture through the application of agrophysical principles. These initiatives seek to improve agricultural productivity, optimize the use of natural resources, and contribute to the sustainable development of the rural sector.

Comprehensive Training of Members

SEA members are currently learning English to strengthen international scientific representation, facilitate participation in global research networks, and improve communication in academic contexts abroad.

In parallel, the learning of the Kichwa language is promoted as part of a territorial and social engagement commitment, aiming to strengthen connections with rural areas, urban neighborhoods, and Indigenous communities of Ecuador, which represent a fundamental component of the country’s agricultural development.

Institutional Nature and Objectives

The Ecuadorian Society of Agrophysics aims to promote the development of agrophysics in Ecuador through scientific research, technological innovation, and integration between academic, productive, and educational sectors.

Its objectives include the study of physical processes applied to agriculture, strengthening scientific research, developing agricultural technologies, fostering collaboration between researchers and producers, and contributing to sustainable national agricultural development.

Institutional Projection

The SEA is projected as a leading scientific platform in Ecuador, with the capacity to integrate into international research networks. Its future development is oriented toward strengthening applied research, technological innovation in agriculture, and the training of specialized human talent in agrophysics.

Final Statement

The creation of the Ecuadorian Society of Agrophysics (SEA) represents a significant step in the institutionalization of applied agricultural science in Ecuador. Its organized structure, interdisciplinary approach, and inclusive model position it as an initiative oriented toward scientific development, agricultural modernization, and the integration of the country into the international scientific community.