A trajetória da assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural: uma análise críca à atual PNATER

Abstract

The study, based on a bibliographic review, aimed to analyze the trajectory of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER) in Brazil, reflecting on the political, social, and economic transformations experienced by the country over the decades. From its origins during the agricultural modernization period of the 1940s to the structural changes introduced with the creation of the National Policy for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (PNATER) in 2003, ATER has played a fundamental role in rural development. However, its evolution has been marked by tensions between different ideologies and development models. PNATER, conceived as a state policy, is based on principles such as sustainability, social inclusion, and agroecology. It was designed to promote an ATER model that prioritizes family farmers, respects the sociocultural diversity of rural areas, and seeks productive alternatives aligned with environmental preservation. Despite these theoretical advances, its implementation faces significant challenges. Each government transition brings changes in priorities and political interference, undermining the continuity and coherence of its principles. Currently, PNATER is primarily implemented by the National Agency for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ANATER). However, critics highlight that the policy's execution does not always align with its original objectives. There is evidence of fragmented practices, insufficient financial resources, and the persistence of approaches inherited from the Green Revolution era, characterized by centralization and a focus on conventional technologies. These factors limit PNATER's ability to promote truly inclusive and transformative ATER. Thus, a critical analysis of PNATER reveals the need for a more robust structure immune to ideological shifts in government, ensuring the continuity of public policies aimed at sustainable rural development. Moreover, it is essential to review management and financing mechanisms to achieve greater alignment between the declared policy and its practical implementation in the field.