Comparación de las concepciones de extensión rural de extensionistas de Argentina, Guatemala y Paraguay

Abstract

The rural extension approaches of extension workers from Argentina, Guatemala and Paraguay were compared using a Likert type scale, which assesses the degree of agreement or disagreement with two different models of rural extension, one characterized by diffusionism, and other by horizontality and dialogue between technicians and farmers. Research participants work as rural extension agents in the public sector in the three countries. SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Results show that extensionists strongly agree with a horizontal, dialogical extension approach. In contrast, there are significant differences with regards to the degree of agreement with a rural extension aimed at technology transfer. This is important, because current theories on the functioning of innovation systems highlight the need for establishing a horizontal dialogue between different actors. The results suggest that women and older and experienced extensionists support the transfer of technology approach to a lesser degree, which invites to think about the factors that could reduce the technicians’ diffusionist orientation.