PARTICIPATORY SYSTEM TO GENERATE AND TRANSFER TECNOLOGY TO BEEF FARMERS: CONCEPTUAL MODEL - A CASE APPLIED TO "EMBRAPA GADO DE CORTE"

Abstract

This work comprises the synthesis of a conceptual and participatory model to generate and transfer technology, applied to Embrapa's Beef Cattle Research Center. Beef farmers from the Micro Regions of Campo Grande and Pantanal in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul were chosen as two social groups representatives of beef regions which are ecologically different. The data were obtained through a combination of questionnaires and case studies applied to a random and stratified sample of the population. The model evolved from evidence to improve the existing system to meet technological demands from different social groups of beef farmers and the growing concern about participatory approach in the agri-environmental decisions. The innovation model is based on: (a) participatory learning actions to find demands and to generate solutions according to different groups of beef farmers; (b) a social link between Embrapa Gado de Corte and these groups; (c) an information flow taking into account the characteristics of the existent information networks; and (d) a monitoring research feedback.