The Agricultural Sustainability According To The Conception And Practice Of Rural Extensionists In Western Region Of Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

Rural extension has a significant effect on the degree of sustainability of the agricultural system in which it operates.Moreover, the successful implementation of sustainable methods depends on techniciansâ commitment and knowledge,among other factors. In this sense, it is important to construct the rural extensionistsâ perception and conceptual conceptionabout agricultural sustainability in order to formulate strategies for the development of awareness, motivation and trainingwith a view to the profile of the professionals in question. The study was conducted based on a survey including 116 ruralextensionists connected with Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency [Empresa de PesquisaAgropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina] (EPAGRI) and focusing on the Western Region of Santa Catarina State.Results showed that environmental indicators and attributes were most employed by respondents to characterize thesustainability of agricultural activity, followed by economic criteria and self-sufficiency of rural property. The extensionistsuse a wide range of sustainable practices that concentrate, nevertheless, on the environmental and agricultural sciencesareas, with little emphasis on social issues. In the view of these technicians, sustainable agriculture will enable and ensurethe continuity of primary activity, as well as promote effective improvement in the quality of life in urban and rural areas.