The growing call for a shift from conventional agriculture to more sustainable alternatives often highlights agroecology for its potential to enhance soil health, agrobiodiversity, food sovereignty, and ecosystem regeneration. However, the complexity of agricultural systems requires significant changes across various farm characteristics and practices, influenced by social, economic, educational, and political contexts.

This study applied the Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) methodology to assess the resilience of farms in agroecological transition. Using 10 indicators—covering both biological and cultural factors—the methodology evaluates farm connectivity with the landscape, agrobiodiversity in living fences and crops, and farmer practices. Twenty farms in the northern-central Andean region of Ecuador were assessed, showing a moderately developed agroecological structure on average. Notably, MAS scores were influenced more by geographic location than by farm size or landscape connectivity.

Key differences between regions were linked to the presence of cooperation and development programs, emphasizing the importance of capacity-building processes in supporting agroecological practices. The findings suggest that MAS assessments could benefit from a deeper analysis of the capacity-building context in each site. This research provides a baseline for agroecological structure in Ecuador and offers tools for monitoring and fostering agroecological transitions.