RURAL EXTENSION PRACTICES AND CONFLICTIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN LOCAL AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGES. Contributions from a study case performed in the province of Formosa (Argentina)

• Main Authors: Fernando Landini, Sofía Murtagh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México 2011-05-01
• Series: Ra Ximhai
• Subjects: Psychology; Rural Development; Peasantry; Dialogue
• Online Access: http://uaim.edu.mx/webraximhai/Ej-20articulosPDF/10-Practicas_de_extension_rural_y_vinculos_conflictivos_Fernando_Landini_ARGENTINA.pdf

Rural extension practices are one of the core elements of various programs and projects of rural development oriented to small farmers. Despite the importance of these initiatives and the clear influence of the psychosocial dimension in its course, calls attention that psychology has made few contributions to these issues. Thus, in order to explore these matters, a case study was conducted in Formosa province (Argentina), which included participant observation and interviews to smallholders. Based on this research it was identified the importance of studying the relationship established between small farmers and professionals within the framework of rural development projects. Therefore, this article examines both the type of knowledge that professionals and smallholders have, and the differences and complementarities that exist between them. At the same time, emphasizing on the perspective of the farmers interviewed, different reactions arising against technical knowledge and the expectancies about the role of professionals in rural practices are described. Finally, this paper also shows up the need of basing rural extension practices on small farmer needs and perceived problems, appreciating and taking into account their know-how. It also emphasizes the importance of establishing interpersonal relationships on dialogue, recognition and respect between both actors. Considering the above, it is concluded that in addition to possessing technical skills, extension professionals should have a set of interpersonal skills to maximize the impact of their actions.