THE "CO-EXISTENCE SYSTEM" AS AN EXTENSION WORK PROCESS

Abstract

The authors propose a new educational process as an alternative to be adopted by Rural Extension Agencies, based on experiences being implemented in some Administrative Regions of the EMATER and under supervision of EMBRATER, where they work. A few parameters have been established: more integration among farmers and technicians, increasing common concerns using participatory mechanisms, option for a process of horizontal communication, and interchanging information. They adopt an operational concept of community and present the concept of natural groups. They make clear how to delimitate rural communities and identify natural groups. These groups are seen as the basic unit to be contacted by extension agents through a process which they call "co-existence". "Coexistence" is then considered the essential requisite to the interchange of experiences among farmers and technicians. They also propose how to profit from this interchange and some instruments to organize the extension agents in their daily contact with farmers.