Abstract

LANDINI, Fernando et al. Professional identities of rural extension workers in different countries of Africa, Latin America and Australia: a comparative study. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2021, vol.24, n.1, e1914.  Epub Apr 21, 2021. ISSN 0123-4226.  https://doi.org/10.31910/rudca.v24.n1.2021.1914.

Rural extension is a highly complex profession. It is apparent that the most effective practices have to adapt flexibly to the contexts, and cannot be understood in terms of the application of technocratic procedures. Professional identities organize how practitioners understand their role and shape their job practices. In this article, the professional identities of extension workers are studied, with the aim to contribute to the understanding of their practices. Based on a questionnaire, the professional identities of extension workers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay and South Africa were analyzed. Data was processed using SPSS software. Using a theoretical typology, results show that the most frequent identity is that of a professional aimed at supporting farmers at a productive or business level, followed by those who understand their role in terms of improving farmers’ quality of life. Finally, only few respondents conceive their role as promoters of processes of social change and overcoming of injustice situations. Two types of countries were identified, one where the identity of supporting farmers at a productive or business level prevails, and other where this identity has similar support to that of helping farmers to improve their quality of life. In Nigeria and South Africa, it is more frequent to find extension workers who understand themselves as facilitators of processes of social change.

Keywords : Professional identity; Rural extension; Agricultural productivity; Quality of life; Social change.

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