Estudo sobre a dinâmica da assistência técnica e extensão rural em assentamentos rurais do município de Jataí, GO

Abstract

After the implementation of the National Policy of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (PNATER), the performance of providers of ATER (Technical Assistance and Rural Extension) services was standardized in order to contribute and consolidate sustainable rural development strategies. This new legislation has generated great expectations in order to really contribute to consolidate ATER services in Brazil. This study had as objectives: 1) Verify the participation of ATER in the development process of the areas of rural settlements in the municipality of Jataí, analyzing to what extent this service collaborates for the consolidation of these settlers inside the new approach preconized in PNATER; 2) To analyze the extent to which the methodological procedures laid down in PNATER have been effectively assimilated by field technicians, noting it is contributing to improving the living conditions of the settlers of the city of Jataí; 3) Identify and describe the perception of agrarian reform settlers and field technicians on ATER services in the municipality of Jataí, correlating it with the proposals for the restructuring of ATER, arising from PNATER. Fieldwork took place between September and December 2013, having been conducted 10 interviews with leaders of the settlers, 30 with settlers and 6 with technicians who work in these settlements. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to infer that the action of ATER is still using methods and practices that refer to the period in which predominated the diffusionist approach. It was also found that ATER services do not favor the approach advocated in PNATER, and that participatory methodological procedures are not used by the technicians in their daily work. Finally, it was observed that the settlers have a perception of ATER services different from the perception of technicians. The settlers defend an acting that is more dialogued and more committed to the interests of the settlers. As for the perception of field technicians, it was observed that the concepts and contents of diffusionist approach are still very strong in technical circuits that act in the municipality, helping to perpetuate the extension model based on the Theory of Diffusion of Innovations.