Perception of Rural Producers Regarding the Effectiveness of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension

Elora Rafaela Pereira de Souza Borges; Samia Mercado Alvarenga

DOI: 10.22167/2675-6528-202602863

Article derived from a Course Conclusion Work (TCC), with content based on the student’s original work and adapted to the editorial format of the E&S Magazine with the support of the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by Instituto Pecege for textual synthesis and organization.

Summary

The perception of rural producers regarding the effectiveness of technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) was investigated in the Central Region of Minas Gerais. The study was conducted on rural properties in the region, where five producers were selected by convenience, who received direct assistance from agricultural technicians. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The results revealed that producers presented different levels of autonomy in decision-making, seeking technical assistance in situations of greater complexity. Trust in technicians was associated with experience, transparency, and communication skills, valuing an educational approach close to reality. However, the application of technical guidelines was limited by financial and structural constraints, and potential conflicts of interest in services linked to the commercialization of inputs. It was also observed that access to rural extension activities was restricted for some producers, and the information was not always compatible with the reality of the properties. It was concluded that the effectiveness of ATER depends on its adaptation to local productive, social, and economic realities. Structural challenges in the sector were highlighted, such as resistance to adopting new technologies, the influence of traditional practices, and the scarcity of qualified labor, emphasizing the need for technical assistance adapted to local conditions to promote development.

Keywords: Confidence; Rural labor; Agricultural production; Decision-making.

1. Introduction

The Brazilian agricultural sector holds strategic relevance in the national economy, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2025, agribusiness represented 29.4% of the GDP and exported US$82 billion in the first semester, accounting for 49.5% of the country’s total exports (CNA, 2025; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, 2025). In this scenario, the pursuit of greater productivity and efficiency is constant, allied with the need for sustainability and adaptation to climate change and the growing demand for food.

Agricultural technical assistance can be defined as the set of actions aimed at guiding, training, and supporting farmers, promoting productive, economic, and socio-environmental improvements. The effectiveness of these services is directly related to the technical efficiency of rural properties (Liu et al., 2023). The work of agricultural technicians includes technical functions, related to direct production management; managerial functions, involving property planning and administration; and mediation functions, which translate scientific knowledge into solutions applicable to daily farm life.

Technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) demonstrates a positive impact on poverty and inequality reduction, in addition to promoting increased agricultural production and beneficiary income, as observed in projects in the Brazilian semi-arid region (Delgrossi et al., 2024). Events such as field days are effective communication alternatives, facilitating the practical demonstration of various experiences and contributing to the adoption of new crop varieties by farmers (Yitayew et al., 2021).

However, the quality of agricultural extension services faces challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, low responsiveness, high costs, and sustainability issues, which can result in a weak relationship between technology adoption and expected outcomes (Ogundari, 2022). Furthermore, rural extension agents’ understanding of social technologies, which combine technical-scientific knowledge and popular wisdom, is a crucial point for the effectiveness of assistance (Marques et al., 2024).

The relevance of the performance of agricultural technicians is reinforced by theoretical approaches such as Frank Ellis (2000), who highlights the role of these professionals in translating scientific knowledge into economically viable and sustainable practices for rural development. Complementarily, Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovations model allows us to understand how new ideas and technologies spread within a social system, emphasizing that the adoption of these innovations depends not only on the characteristics of the technology but also on social interactions and the mediation of extension agents.

Studying producers’ perception of the performance of agricultural technicians is, therefore, crucial to go beyond productivity or economic efficiency indicators, allowing us to understand how technical assistance practices are actually received and applied in the field. This knowledge can guide farm management strategies, making assistance more assertive and adapted to local needs. From a public policy perspective, this study contributes to developing more effective and inclusive rural extension programs. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the perception of rural producers regarding the relevance of the performance of agricultural technicians.

2. Material and Methods

This study was characterized as a qualitative research with a descriptive approach, seeking to analyze the perception of rural producers regarding the relevance of the work of agricultural technicians. The investigation was conducted on rural properties located in the Central Region of Minas Gerais, a locality selected due to its significant representativeness in the regional agricultural sector and the presence of several technical assistance programs in operation.

The target population of the study comprised rural producers who received direct assistance from agricultural technicians in the delimited region. The sample consisted of five producers, who were selected by convenience sampling. The selection criteria included participant availability, property accessibility, and prior participation in rural extension projects.

This selection approach allowed the inclusion of producers with varied productive profiles and property sizes, aiming to capture a wide range of experiences and perceptions about the technical assistance received. The diversity of the sample made it possible to explore different productive realities and the respective views on the performance of the professionals involved.

Data collection was carried out in two main stages: (i) application of semi-structured interviews and (ii) documentary analysis. The interviews were conducted based on a previously prepared script, which addressed topics such as the producers’ experience with technical assistance, their perception of its relevance and effectiveness, the challenges faced in adopting recommendations, and suggestions for improving the services provided.

To ensure the clarity, consistency, and relevance of the questions, the data collection instruments were subjected to a pre-test. This pre-test was administered to a small number of producers who were not included in the final sample, ensuring the adequacy of the script before the main data collection.

Document analysis complemented the interviews, including the review of technical reports, visit records, and other institutional records. These documents were used to contextualize and document the work of agricultural technicians in the region, providing additional information on technical assistance practices.

The qualitative data collected were analyzed through thematic analysis, with the objective of identifying recurring patterns and categories in the producers’ perceptions. The analysis steps included the full transcription of interviews, initial data coding, search for emerging patterns, and the review and final definition of thematic categories.

Regarding ethical considerations, the research did not involve the collection of clinical or sensitive data, being restricted to documentary analysis and interviews focused on the participants’ professional perception. Therefore, submission to the Research Ethics Committee (CEP/CONEP) was not necessary, according to the guidelines of Resolution CNS No. 466/2012.

3. Results and Discussion

The Central Region of Minas Gerais presents a diversified agricultural scenario, characterized by a mosaic of activities that include corn, bean, and vegetable crops, as well as livestock, with emphasis on dairy production. This productive heterogeneity imposes the need for constant technical management and decisions that adapt to the specific conditions of soil, climate, and local resource availability. In this context, technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) assumes a strategic role, not only in guiding production systems but also in planning and organizing activities, in addition to acting in the articulation between public policies, technological innovations, and the socioeconomic reality of producers.

The effectiveness of ARE in the region is crucial, as it directly influences producers’ ability to adopt innovative practices, increase efficiency, and promote the economic and environmental sustainability of their properties. Crops such as corn and tomatoes, along with livestock farming, are pillars of the local rural economy, benefiting from fertile soils and favorable topography. The adoption of integrated production systems, which combine trees, crops, and animals, is a common and effective strategy to intensify production and promote sustainability, as observed by Gomes et al. (2019).

However, the region’s rural properties face significant challenges, especially related to labor availability. The migration of young people to urban areas is a recurring phenomenon that has reduced the supply of workers in the countryside, which can compromise the continuity and expansion of production systems, as pointed out by Malafaia et al. (2024). This shortage of qualified personnel directly impacts the capacity for implementing new techniques and the daily management of activities, making technical assistance even more vital for the sector’s resilience.

The rural producers in the Central Region of Minas Gerais, who were the subject of this study, exhibit heterogeneous profiles in terms of age, experience, and type of production. The majority of them are directly involved in both the management and execution of productive activities, playing a central role in decision-making related to the technical, economic, and organizational management of their properties. This active participation reflects a deep practical knowledge, accumulated over many years of work in the rural environment, which provides them with a solid foundation of traditional knowledge.

Despite their vast experience, many producers show reluctance in adopting more complex or innovative technologies, as well as in incorporating technical recommendations that demand greater training or investment. This hesitation highlights the fundamental importance of the role of agricultural technicians as mediators, capable of translating scientific knowledge into viable production practices adapted to the reality of the field. They act as links between theory and practice, facilitating the overcoming of barriers to innovation and promoting the sustainable development of properties.

Furthermore, producers maintain close ties with the local economy and the rural community, actively participating in associations, cooperatives, and institutional programs. However, structural challenges persist that affect the performance of rural activities, such as inadequate road infrastructure, limited access to technologies, credit restrictions, and the need for continuous technical assistance. These factors highlight the importance of strengthening public policies and institutional support actions to ensure a more favorable environment for rural development.

The analysis of the interviews conducted with rural producers allowed us to understand the perception of technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) in the contemporary productive context, revealing both positive aspects and limitations in its performance. It was found that all interviewees maintained frequent contact with technicians in their daily productive activities and recognized ATER as a fundamental element for agricultural production. After the insertion of these professionals on the properties, significant gains in productivity and income were perceived, which underscores the importance attributed to these services.

The interviewed producers presented varied profiles, with ages ranging from 25 to 47 years, and time of operation in rural activity from six years to the experience of those who had worked since childhood. Schooling also proved diverse, ranging from incomplete elementary school to incomplete postgraduate studies, and the sample included both men and one woman, reflecting the heterogeneity of the countryside. The properties developed activities such as banana production, dairy and beef cattle farming, pig farming, and subsistence agricultural production, being served by a number of technicians that varied from two to five professionals, or in a variable manner, and all producers reported a positive perception of the impact of technical assistance.

Regarding decision-making in the face of technical problems, it was observed that producers exhibit different levels of autonomy. In some cases, there is an initial reluctance to seek assistance, leading to communication with the technician only when the situation becomes more complex or riskier. However, the producer’s access to information and prior experience directly influence this response. An interviewee with a solid background in agriculture and professional experience as a technician, for example, reported that for problems outside his scope, such as those related to livestock, he directly consults specialized veterinarians.

The importance of continuous technical assistance was also highlighted by an interviewee, who reported a significant change in the conduct of the activity after assuming greater protagonism in property management. She began to adopt more systematic monitoring of the herd, evidencing that the constant presence of the technician, even in the absence of evident problems, contributes to more efficient and proactive management. This perception reinforces the idea that ATER is not limited to crisis resolution, but also to the promotion of a culture of prevention and continuous improvement.

The activities developed on the property also influence the perception of the need for assistance. In the case of pig farming, which is a sensitive activity due to the high risk of infections and the possibility of significant losses in a short period, one interviewee emphasized the need to act quickly in critical situations. He stated that, upon noticing a serious problem on the farm, he would immediately contact the responsible veterinarian, often by phone, to protect the animals, demonstrating the agility and dependence on technical assistance in contexts of high vulnerability.

Regarding the factors that influence trust in technicians, experience, transparency, and communication style stand out. This perception is in line with the assumptions of rural extension advocated by Caporal and Dambrós (2017), who understand ATER as an essentially educational process, based on dialogue and the joint construction of knowledge. In this sense, the trust established between producer and technician transcends the strictly technical dimension, encompassing relational and pedagogical aspects that strengthen the bond and the effectiveness of the guidance.

One of the interviewees highlighted the relevance of transparency and the professional’s didactic posture, stating that the technicians are “very transparent” and that, when approached, they are “very attentive” and “always try to explain and really want us to learn.” This account reinforces the importance of technical assistance that not only prescribes solutions but also promotes the producer’s learning and autonomy. This educational approach is fundamental to empowering farmers to make more informed decisions and manage their properties more independently.

However, the technical assistance process can present weaknesses, especially when associated with commercial establishments, such as agricultural supply stores. An interviewee pointed out that the partnership becomes “a bit complicated,” because, sometimes, the technician responsible for the company is “afraid of losing the client” and “stops telling me something,” which can lead to the producer’s stagnation. This report highlights possible conflicts of interest in the provision of technical assistance linked to the sale of inputs, where the quality of guidance may be compromised by marketing priorities.

Technicians linked to companies may sometimes omit information or fail to recommend certain technologies for fear of losing clients, compromising the quality and impartiality of the guidance offered. Petarly, Coelho, and Souza (2017) highlight that the overload of functions of ATER agents in private companies and the predominance of punctual services make systemic and preventive monitoring of properties difficult. This situation reinforces the idea that technical assistance, when primarily guided by market interests, can lose its educational character and its commitment to productive development, deviating from its original purpose.

Beyond transparency and a didactic approach, clarity and confidence in transmitting information are also aspects highly valued by producers. One interviewee emphasized the importance of “confidence when passing information to us,” indicating that trust is built not only on technical competence but also on how knowledge is communicated. Promptness in service, attention to demands, and adaptation to producers’ needs are central factors for building trust, as observed in comparative studies on the quality of extension services (Tham-Agyekum et al., 2024).

The application of technical guidelines, however, faces several practical limitations. Financial restriction is one of the main obstacles, especially for small producers, as one interviewee expressed: “I think the difficulty for every small producer today is money”. Although there are public institutions that offer support, hiring private technicians tends to provide faster and more effective responses, which, in turn, requires investment. This economic barrier prevents many producers from implementing the recommendations, even when they recognize their value.

Furthermore, the structural constraints of the properties do not always allow the implementation of recommendations as planned. One interviewee reported that, although the technicians “program for you to do it one way”, the property’s structure “sometimes it cannot be done in the ideal way it should be done”. This reality underscores the need for agricultural technicians to deeply understand the local context and adapt their guidance to the specific conditions of each property, avoiding standardized approaches that disregard the particularities of the productive environment.

Rural producers’ perception of the performance of agricultural technicians is strongly influenced by these professionals’ ability to understand the local reality, adapt technical guidance to the specific needs of each property, and establish trusting relationships. One interviewee clearly expressed this view, highlighting that it is “very easy for someone from sales to open the computer and say what we need to do,” but that, in practice, it is difficult to “climb the hill” to plant and harvest. She argued that the person who makes an effort to help the rural producer needs to go “personally to the farm so they can understand what life is like, what that routine is like,” because “each property has its specific management” and “its challenge.”

This perspective is shared by the other interviewees and dialogues with the themes addressed by Freire (1983), who criticized the technocratic practices of rural extension that disregarded farmers as historical and cultural subjects, as well as their knowledge, beliefs, and experiences. The effectiveness of technical assistance, therefore, lies not only in the transmission of scientific information, but in the construction of a horizontal dialogue that values popular knowledge and adapts to the complexities of rural daily life, promoting a true exchange of knowledge.

Regarding access to courses, events, and rural extension activities, it was observed that participation is still limited for some of the interviewees, mainly due to difficulty of access and scarcity of opportunities. Mendes et al. (2023) analyzed the challenges faced by rural education, highlighting limited access to infrastructure and transportation as barriers. The scarcity of technological resources, such as computers and internet access, also restricts access to more diversified learning methods, which hinders the search for information and training in the field.

An interviewee highlighted that “if there were more courses for us to keep learning more and more, it would be much better”, because “there are many people willing to learn and sometimes there is nowhere to learn”. He mentioned that, although there are universities, for those who live in the countryside, access is “very difficult”, and that short-term courses would be of great interest. Marques et al. (2024) affirm that learning in the context of rural extension occurs mainly through non-formal educational processes, such as training, workshops, and practical capacitations, and the absence of these opportunities creates a formative gap that affects the quality of technical assistance.

On the other hand, there are producers who participate more frequently in extension events because they have the conditions to travel or because they are working in partnership with companies that offer them. One interviewee recognized the importance of these spaces for the exchange of experiences, stating that they always try to be present, as it is where “we really find information because other producers go and we can have this exchange of knowledge.” Another interviewee also reported active participation in events promoted by different institutions and in various cities, evidencing that proactivity and favorable conditions facilitate engagement.

When questioned about the applicability of the learned information in extension events, all interviewees responded positively. However, one interviewee brought an additional perspective regarding their property in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais, compared to the Central Region, where they currently live and work. They described their former property as having a “very low level of technology”, with a “more traditional way of cultivation” and fewer problems with diseases and pests, while the events in the Central Region focused on technologies such as fertilizers for fertigation and more complex irrigation systems, which were not suitable for their previous management.

Finally, structural aspects and general challenges of the sector are highlighted, such as the difficulty in adopting new technologies, the influence of traditional practices, and the scarcity of labor. Resistance to change often appears associated with family succession. One interviewee exemplified this situation by stating that his farm follows “very traditional” management and that implementing new techniques is difficult because the family is “very attached,” as the property was inherited from his father, who inherited it from his grandfather, being “consolidated things.”

In this context, rural succession can play a decisive role in the innovation dynamics of properties. As pointed out by Santos et al. (2023), this process qualifies as constructive when there is shared decision-making and property management, with the effective participation of new generations. The difficulty in finding qualified workers was also mentioned by an interviewee, who stated: “Today, in general, it is complicated to find labor.” This report is supported by recent data showing the continuation of the rural population reduction process in Brazil, decreasing from 15% to 12% between 2012 and 2022, which demonstrates the persistence of urbanization (Cunha, 2025).

The growing urbanization, combined with often unfavorable working conditions in rural areas, contributes to the low attractiveness of the rural sector among new generations (Malafaia et al., 2024). The limitation of personnel and specific skills can directly compromise the adequate management of herds, resulting in productive and sanitary losses. Faced with this challenge, the adoption of technologies emerges as a promising alternative. Malafaia et al. (2024) highlight that the successful introduction of automated and robotic systems in the livestock sector can mitigate the effects of labor shortages, promoting greater efficiency and sustainability in production systems.

An interviewee reinforced the link between technical assistance and property automation, stating that “technology today is increasingly advanced, for you to have good productivity you have to rely on these technicians”. Thus, the presence of well-trained professionals is essential to keep the sector running and to assist producers in the transition to more modern and efficient systems. The results obtained in this study indicate that the effectiveness of technical assistance in rural areas is directly related to its ability to adapt to the productive, social, and economic realities of the producers, requiring an approach based on dialogue, joint knowledge construction, and active presence in the field, going beyond the mere transfer of technologies.

4. Conclusion

This study analyzed the perception of rural producers in the Central Region of Minas Gerais regarding the relevance of the work of agricultural technicians. It was found that producers recognize technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) as fundamental for agricultural production, perceiving significant gains in productivity and income after the involvement of these professionals. Trust in technicians was associated with experience, transparency, and communication skills, valuing educational work that is close to the reality of the field. However, it was observed that producers’ autonomy in decision-making varied, with them seeking assistance in situations of greater complexity. The application of technical guidance was limited by financial and structural constraints of the properties, which did not always allow for the ideal implementation of recommendations. Potential conflicts of interest were also identified in ATER services linked to the sale of inputs, which could compromise the impartiality of the guidance. Furthermore, access to rural extension activities was restricted for some producers, and the information was not always compatible with the specific reality of their properties.

The effectiveness of ATER, therefore, proved to be intrinsically dependent on its capacity to adapt to local productive, social, and economic realities, requiring action based on dialogue and joint knowledge construction, going beyond the mere transfer of technologies. Structural challenges in the sector were highlighted, such as resistance to adopting new technologies, often associated with the influence of traditional practices and family succession, and the persistent shortage of qualified labor in the field. For future studies, it is suggested to investigate ATER models that integrate solutions for labor shortages, such as automation, and the development of public policies and private initiatives that promote more accessible, continuous, and adapted technical assistance to the specific conditions of each property, strengthening sustainable rural development.

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