Abstract

LANDINI, Fernando. Rural extension in Paraguay: Problems and conceptions of extension analysis. Investig. Agrar. [online]. 2015, vol.17, n.2, pp.87-97. ISSN 2305-0683.  https://doi.org/10.18004/investig.agrar.2015.diciembre.87-97.

This article presents the results of a research aimed at analyzing the problems and conceptions about rural extension held by the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DEAg )’s practitioners in Paraguay,  according to their own point of view. The interest of the research lies in the importance of agricultural extension for rural development processes as well as in the high levels of rural poverty in Paraguay. It should be mentioned that with the advent of economic neo-liberalism during the 80’s and 90’s, rural extension services at MERCOSUR were cut down to its lowest levels. However, it is noteworthy to point out that it has been noticed a resurgence of public extension services in several countries in the region during the last years. At a methodological level, a literature review on the topic was carried out and 26 Agricultural Extension (DEAg )’s practitioners were surveyed. Replies to the surveys were categorized following Grounded Theory’s principles. Among the main problems detected were the following: small farmers’s low level of education, adoption of passive and welfare dependant attitudes, scarce commitment to extension projects, use of inappropriate technologies and struggle to take part in associative work. Some of these problems, such as scarce involvement in projects and the adoption of passive attitudes, are related to a diffusionist conception of extension, which places beneficiaries in a subordinate position, thus limiting their dynamisms and restricting their possibilities to influence tailoring  project´s design  to meet their needs.

Keywords : Rural extension;; Extension models;; Paraguay;; Diffusionism..

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