A dimensão social no contexto da extensão rural - concepções dos agentes do Programa de ATES do RS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the design of agents of the Advisory Technical Program Social and Environmental for agrarian reform settlements (ATES) in Rio Grande do Sul on the social dimension of the extension of action in agrarian reform settlements. The field of research was the extension program for the settlements in the land reform in Rio Grande do Sul, and is now run by the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA). Contracted service providers are the Cooperative Technical Services (COPTEC), the Company's Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (EMATER) and the Technology Center Popular Alternatives (CETAP). Also part of the program with specific functions, the Federal University of Santa Marisa (UFSM), the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and Rural Development Department of the RS state (SDR / RS). The method used was a desk research and as an auxiliary feature interview was conducted. In the same way the National Policy for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension - PNATER, the ATES program in RS has sought to build actions based on sustainable rural development principles in order to meet the complex reality of the countryside, and it has sought beyond stimulus to agricultural production, working with social and environmental issues in the settlements. For it has a building on the design of the social dimension that has been debated since 2009. It is noted that the implementing agencies have different views on the social dimension in the extension, these concepts are related to bonds, objectives and mission of each. Still express difficulty in guiding the actions that seek to results beyond the quantitative productivity. The prioritization of actions is for productive activities, even when targeted on the prism of agroecology, and the fragmentation of actions in the social, environmental and productive without setting priorities, is still present in the actions of technicians. It is believed that to effect an extension proposal that has these precepts, the social dimension is fundamental and actions in this area must be planned and executed in order to contribute to improving the living conditions of settlers.