Fases da Extensão Rural no Brasil | Prof. Dr. Ezequiel Redin

Summary

In this video, Professor Ezequiel Redin explores the five phases of rural extension in Brazil over the last 60 years. These phases include the Humanistic Assistentialist phase (1948-1960), Diffusionism/Productivism (1964-1980), Critical Humanism (1980-1990), Institutional Pluralism (1990-2000), and Sustainable Rural Development (2000-present). The video discusses the evolution of rural extension practices, from paternalistic approaches to participatory and sustainable models, highlighting the importance of credit, technology, and farmer participation in improving rural life and agriculture in Brazil.

Takeaways

• 😀 The history of rural extension in Brazil spans over 60 years, evolving through different phases focused on improving agricultural practices and family welfare.
• 😀 The first phase (1948-1960) was marked by a paternalistic, humanism-assistentialist approach, aiming to increase productivity and well-being without empowering farmers to think critically about their situation.
• 😀 The second phase (1964-1980) was driven by diffusions of productivism, which focused on modernizing agriculture through the introduction of external technologies and agricultural credit, often leading to economic dependence on the market.
• 😀 The third phase (1980-1990) emphasized critical humanism, promoting participatory planning, critical consciousness, and horizontal knowledge exchange between farmers and extensionists, inspired by Paulo Freire's educational theories.
• 😀 The fourth phase (1990s-2000s) was characterized by institutional pluralism, where various organizations such as cooperatives, municipalities, and associations became involved in rural extension, and policies like PRONAF were introduced to support family farming.
• 😀 The fifth phase (2000s-present) focuses on sustainable rural development, promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices, reducing dependence on external markets, and supporting local economies, particularly through the expanded PRONAF program.
• 😀 PRONAF, the National Program for the Strengthening of Family Farming, played a key role in expanding financial support to diverse agricultural sectors, including young farmers and women, through targeted credit lines.
• 😀 The phases of rural extension have shifted from a focus on increasing productivity to emphasizing sustainability, participatory practices, and community-based development.
• 😀 Despite the advancements in rural extension, challenges persist, particularly in terms of resource scarcity and unequal access to extension services across the country, with 80% of agricultural establishments reporting no access to technical assistance.
• 😀 The creation of the National Agency for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ANATER) in 2013 represented a significant policy move to support rural extension in Brazil and ensure more targeted, sustainable approaches to family farming.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of rural extension during the first phase, Humanism and Assistentialism (1948-1960)?

The primary goal during the Humanism and Assistentialism phase was to increase agricultural productivity. Extension workers aimed to help families produce more, thereby improving their economic well-being and reducing labor requirements.

What were the main characteristics of the methods used in the first phase of rural extension?

The methods used in the first phase were paternalistic, meaning that extensionists imposed their ideas on farmers without considering their local knowledge. There was little focus on developing critical thinking or empowering farmers to take charge of their own agricultural practices.

How did the second phase, Diffusionism and Productivism (1964-1980), differ from the first phase in terms of approach?

In the second phase, the focus shifted to the introduction of modern technology through state-sponsored credit programs. Unlike the first phase, which focused on productivity without much external influence, this phase introduced a 'technology package' that farmers had to adopt, which was often costly and contributed to market dependency.

What role did credit play in the Diffusionism and Productivism phase?

Credit was central to the second phase. Extensionists provided farmers with access to credit, which they used to purchase modern farming equipment and technology. However, this led to inequality, as only those who could afford the technology succeeded, while others went into debt.

What was the main feature of the third phase, Critical Humanism (1980-1990)?

The Critical Humanism phase focused on participatory planning. Extensionists worked closely with farmers to identify solutions that suited local conditions. This phase was heavily influenced by Paulo Freire’s pedagogy of liberation, emphasizing mutual knowledge exchange and empowering farmers.

How did the Critical Humanism phase incorporate the ideas of Paulo Freire?

The Critical Humanism phase incorporated Freire’s idea of horizontal knowledge sharing, where both extensionists and farmers contributed their knowledge equally. This approach aimed to challenge traditional power dynamics and foster a deeper understanding of the local community’s needs.

What were the key outcomes and challenges of the Critical Humanism phase?

The key outcome was the empowerment of farmers through participatory planning. However, despite these advancements, many programs still focused on integrating farmers into the market economy, leading to increased financial pressure and debt for some families.

What marked the fourth phase, Institutional Pluralism and Diversity (1990-2000s)?

The fourth phase was characterized by institutional diversity, with various organizations such as cooperatives, unions, and local governments becoming involved in rural extension. This phase also saw the creation of PRONAF, a program designed to support family farmers.

How did the PRONAF program impact rural extension during the fourth phase?

PRONAF, established in 1996, played a crucial role in providing financial support to family farmers. It offered specialized credit lines for different groups, such as young farmers and women, contributing to a more inclusive approach to rural development.

What are the key characteristics of the fifth phase, Sustainable Rural Development (2000s-Present)?

The fifth phase focuses on sustainable agriculture and reducing farmers' dependency on the market. It emphasizes agroecology, local markets, and direct consumer-producer relationships. The introduction of ANATER in 2013 helped manage and direct resources for rural extension programs.