Tecnical Assistance and Rural Extension – ATER and Rural Family Agriculture

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of technical assistance services and Rural Extension (ATER) performed by the technical staff of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco - IPA, in Lagoa Grande - PE, with family farmers to the rescue and recovery of the local knowledge as a basis for transforming actions of the reality of rural family community, by absorbing and alternative technologies focused on agriculture based on: language, culture, communication in deeper and more complex levels of organizational and productive development process. The work was based on the book "The Pedagogy of Autonomy" of Paulo Freire, whose goal was to promote social inclusion, improving income and quality of life of families and organizations of farmers. The interactive participatory methodology was made through alternative techniques with multidisciplinary approach, interdisciplinary, intercultural and inter-dimensional, using the visits, meetings, lectures, training, monitoring, exchange and providing new knowledge, according to the role of theory and practice through the collective construction of knowledge with farmers. Therefore, the actions taken to the producers, had a process in the production and organizational development combined with the income transfer programs of the Federal Government, and it was noted that these changes contributed to the socioeconomic and cultural dynamics and structure of families assisted by federal programs and by services provided by farmers.