Formación de extensionistas rurales latinoamericanos a partir de procesos de mentoría

Abstract

Rural extension is a complex practice, which leads extension workers to draw on multiple knowledge and learning sources in order to carry on their job. In contrast, however, researchers tend to focus on university education and in-service training. This article seeks to understand how rural extensionists learn by mentoring processes and interaction with more experienced peers. To do this, 68 individual and 18 group interviews were conducted with extension workers from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala and Uruguay. The observed practices are diverse and are not institutionalized in any of the studied cases. Mentoring works through picking and observing role models (mentors field accompaniment), recommendations and guidance for the new extensionist practices, experimentation of the new role and feedback from peers, mentors, and other agents. It is necessary to become aware of informal mentoring dynamics, support them institutionally and formalize mentoring programs.