Training of Rural Extension Agents in Latin America: Practices, Problems, and Proposals

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-2.17

Keywords:

Rural extension, training, pedagogical strategies, Latin America

Abstract

Introduction. Most academic work on training extension agents tends to address the topic tangentially, in a purely theoretical way or focussing on specific case studies. This article aims to describe, characterize, and analyze the training received by extension agents from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Uruguay. Method. A sample of 133 extension agents was interviewed in 68 individual and 18 group interviews. The interviews were transcribed and examined using content analysis with the support of Atlas.ti software. Results. Extension agents receive productive and methodological training, though they perceive the latter to be insufficient. Practical training and participatory methodologies, which allow for the exchange of experiences among peers, are valued the most. The interviewees recommend that extension institutions support their employees’ training and develop systematic training plans covering productive topics and extension methodologies. Training is expected to be practical, participatory, up-to-date, and sufficiently profound. Discussion. The research results concur with different investigations. The most important merit of the article is to analyze the situation in different countries beyond case studies. We recommend studying further the impact of institutional frameworks in the training practices for extension institutions. 

Author Biographies

Fernando Landini, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Doctor en Psicología por la Universidad de Buenos Aires y magíster en Desarrollo Rural por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Investigador Independiente del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas e Investigador Superior de la Universidad de la Cuenca del Plata (Argentina). Docente de postgrado de la Universidad de la Cuenca del Plata y la Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos (Argentina) y de la Universidad de la República (Uruguay).

Iván Villafuerte-Almeida, Universidad de Las Américas

Psicólogo clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador y Magister en Psicología mención Comunitaria de la Universidad de Chile, docente titular en la Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA), coeditor de la revista Psyché de la Escuela de Psicología de la UDLA.

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Published

2022-04-20

How to Cite

Training of Rural Extension Agents in Latin America: Practices, Problems, and Proposals (F. Landini & I. Villafuerte-Almeida , Trans.). (2022). Revista Electrónica Educare, 26(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-2.17

Issue

Section

Journal Articles (Peer Reviewed Section)

How to Cite

Training of Rural Extension Agents in Latin America: Practices, Problems, and Proposals (F. Landini & I. Villafuerte-Almeida , Trans.). (2022). Revista Electrónica Educare, 26(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-2.17

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