Knowledge flows in the Semiarid: an analysis of technical assistance and rural extension in agroecological cotton production projects in Seridó Potiguar.
Seridó; Cotton production; Knowledge flows; Technical Assistance and Rural Extension.
The resumption of cotton production in the Semiarid Potiguar, more specifically in the region of Seridó,
restores an important activity in the historical process of the region. Two recent projects have
promoted agroecological cotton production: the Potiguar Agroecological Cotton Program (PAAP),
coordinated by the state government; and the AgroSertão Program, coordinated by the Riachuelo
Institute. Both projects have the partnership of Embrapa-Algodão, Emater-RN and Sebrae-RN, and
incorporate Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER) as a methodology relevant to the
execution of their activities. The present research seeks to investigate the impact of ATER as knowledge
flows of territorial repercussion from the comparative analysis of agroecological cotton production
projects in Seridó Potiguar. For this, the research adopts qualitative-quantitative methodological
procedures, integrating the collection of secondary data in databases such as IBGE; bibliographic and
documentary survey on the historical trajectory of regional productive dynamics; and application of
semi-structured interviews to the social agents involved in agro-ecological cotton production projects.
Finally, it is hoped to understand the different uses of the territory expressed in the intentions of the
institutions responsible for the desire and coordination of the respective projects.