Factors contributing to rural extension agents’ support for a transfer of technology (ToT) approach: a multiple linear regression analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This article aims at identifying the individual factors and socio-demographic variables contributing to extension agents’ support for a ToT extension approach.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using samples of extension agents from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Nigeria.

Findings:

The main factors explaining the support to a ToT extension approach are: the tendency to blame farmers, understanding extension as a participatory process of dialogue and inter-institutional coordination, prioritizing the modernization of farmers’ production, and supporting conventional modern agriculture. The main factors reducing the support for a ToT approach are having a self-critical attitude, prioritizing the creation and strengthening of farmer organizations, having a university degree, and being an experienced extension agent.

Practical Implications:

The results are useful for institutions interested in changing the profile of their extension personnel and in moving away from a ToT extension approach.

Theoretical Implications:

Extension agents supporting a ToT approach assume that they know what is best for farmers without really acknowledging them as experienced individuals with self-determination and rationale of their own. The development of a self-critical attitude, resulting from field experience and reflection on practice seems to play a key role in questioning the assumptions of the ToT extension approach.

Originality/Value:

This is the first study to analyze the factors contributing to extension agents’ support for a ToT approach conducted using a multiple linear regression.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural extension
• transfer of technologies
• modernization theory
• green revolution
• self-critical attitude
• reflection on practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was financed by the University of La Cuenca del Plata and supported by the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) Grant number (132/19).

Notes on contributors

Fernando Landini

Dr. Fernando Landini is a professor at the University of La Cuenca del Plata, and a researcher of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Rural development. He studies rural extension and agricultural innovation processes from a psychosocial perspective.

Santiago Conti

Dr. Santiago Conti a researcher of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET – Argentina) and a professor at the National University of Río Negro (UNRN). He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology. He studies rural development processes and social intervention practices from a psychosocial perspective.