Aspectos que influenciam a contagem bacteriana total e a contagem de células somáticas do leite de propriedades rurais do interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Aspects that influence milk total bacterial count and somatic cell count from farms in interior of São Paulo State, Brazil / Aspectos que influyen el contaje bacteriano total y el contaje de células somáticas de la leche de propiedades rurales del interior del estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Este estudo objetivou avaliar aspectos que exercem influência sobre a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e a contagem de células somáticas (CCS) do leite e avaliar a adequação das amostras do produto à Instrução Normativa nº 76, de 26 de novembro de 2018, do Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil (IN 76). A pesquisa foi realizada em propriedades rurais da microrregião de Birigui, São Paulo, Brasil, e se baseou em coleta de dados, por entrevista estruturada, e coletas de leite nas propriedades. Foi realizada amostragem por conveniência, sendo escolhidos 15 produtores de cada estrato (de acordo com a produção diária de leite: pequeno - até 100 L; médio - 101 a 300 L; grande - mais de 300 L), totalizando 45 produtores de leite. Participaram da pesquisa somente propriedades com base da alimentação volumosa em sistema de pastejo ou em semiconfinamento. Para avaliar a influência de diferentes fatores sobre a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e a contagem de células somáticas (CCS), separadamente, realizou-se regressão multivariada. Ainda, foi determinado o coeficiente de correlação entre variáveis desta pesquisa. As variáveis resposta foram transformadas em logaritmo para normalização dos dados. Foi feita comparação entre os resultados da pesquisa e os parâmetros da IN 76 para verificar o cumprimento das normas pelos produtores. Foram encontrados valores médios de 6.986.977,818.961.790,7 UFC/mL para CBT e de 608.911,1 ± 414.802,9 CS/mL para CCS. A utilização de tanque de resfriamento individual mostrou-se favorável à baixa CBT, em comparação com não uso de tanque ou uso de tanque comunitário, conforme o esperado, pois quanto mais tempo leva para resfriar o leite, maior é a proliferação de bactérias no produto. Foi verificado que o leite de produtores que realizam o California Mastitis Test (CMT) com maior frequência apresentou CCS mais elevada, o que não era esperado. As análises físico-químicas médias foram densidade 1,031 g/mL a 15°C, índice crioscópico -0,538 °H, teor de proteína 3,58%, teor de gordura 4,06%, extrato seco total 12,75%, extrato seco desengordurado 8,69%, acidez titulável 16,2 °D e estabilidade ao álcool (Alizarol 72%) 100%. Em 13,3% (6/45) das amostras foi detectada presença de antibióticos. Considerando a IN 76, o leite de somente 8,9% (4/45) dos produtores apresentou-se adequado simultaneamente para todos os parâmetros analisados (CBT, CCS, densidade, índice crioscópico, proteína, gordura, extrato seco total, extrato seco desengordurado, acidez titulável, estabilidade ao alizarol e pesquisa de antibióticos). A utilização de tanque de resfriamento individual e a realização de CMT favoreceram menor CBT e maior CCS, respectivamente.

This study aimed to evaluate aspects that exerts influence on the total bacterial count (TBC) and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk and evaluate the conformity of the samples to the Normative Instruction no. 76, from November 26, 2018, of the Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Ministry (NI 76). The research was done in farms around Birigui micro-region, São Paulo State, Brazil, and was based on data collection obtained by structured interviews and milk collection in the farms. Convenience sampling was carried out from 15 producers of each stratum (according to daily milk production: small - up to 100 L; medium - 101 to 300 L; large - more than 300 L), totalizing 45 milk producers. Only farms with grazing or semi-feedlot system for roughage feeding base were included. To evaluate the influence of different factors on Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC), separately, a multivariate regression was done. Moreover, the correlation coefficient among variables was determined. The response variables were transformed into logarithms for the normalization of the data. A comparison between results and NI 76 parameters was done to verify the standard compliance by producers. Mean TBC was 6.986.977,8 ± 18.961.790,7 CFU/mL and mean SCC was 608.911,1414.802,9 cells/mL. The use of individual cooler tank was favorable to lower TBC, compared with the non-use of the tank or with the use of the communitarian tank, as expected, since the longer it takes to cool the milk, the higher the proliferation of bacteria in the product. It was verified that milk from farmers that more frequently perform California Mastitis Test (CMT) showed higher SCC, which was not expected. The average physicochemical analyzes were density 1.031 g/mL at 15°C, cryoscopic index -0.538 °H, protein content 3.58%, fat content 4.06%, total dry extract 12.75%, dry extract defatted 8.69%, titratable acidity 16.2 °D and alcohol stability (Alizarol 72%) 100%. The presence of antibiotics was detected in 13.3% (6/45) of the samples. Considering NI 76, milk from only 8.9% (4/45) farmers were proper simultaneously for all the parameters analyzed (TBC, SCC, density, cryoscopic index, protein, fat, total dry extract, defatted dry extract, titratable acidity, alizarol stability and antibiotics). The use of individual cooling tank and the CMT performance support lower TBC and higher SCC respectively.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar los aspectos que influyen en el contaje bacteriano total (CBT) y el contaje de células somáticas (CCS) de la leche y evaluar la adecuación de las muestras del producto a la Instrucción Normativa nº 76, de 26 de noviembre de 2018, del Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería en Brasil (IN 76). La investigación se llevó a cabo en propiedades rurales en la microrregión de Birigui, São Paulo, Brasil, y se basó en la recolección de datos, a través de entrevistas estructuradas, y colectas de leche en las propiedades. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia, escogiendo 15 productores de cada estrato (de acuerdo con la producción diaria de leche: pequeño - hasta 100 L; medio - 101 hasta 300 L; grande ­ más de 300 L), totalizando 45 productores de leche. Participaron de la investigación únicamente propiedades basadas en alimentación voluminosa en sistema de pastoreo o, a lo sumo, en semiconfinamiento. Para evaluar la influencia de diferentes factores sobre el contaje bacteriano total (CBT) y el contaje de células somáticas (CCS), por separado, se realizó una regresión multivariada. Asimismo, se determinó el coeficiente de correlación entre las variables de esta investigación. Las variables de respuesta se transformaron en logaritmos para la normalización de datos. Se realizó una comparación entre los resultados de la investigación y los parámetros de la IN 76 para verificar el cumplimiento de las normas por parte de los productores. Se encontraron valores medios de 6.986.977,818.961.790,7 UFC/mL para CBT y de 608.911,1 +414.802,9 CS/mL para CCS. El uso de un tanque de enfriamiento individual se ha mostrado favorable a la baja CBT, en comparación con no usar un tanque o usar un tanque comunitario, conforme lo esperado, ya que cuanto más se tarda en enfriar la leche, mayor es la proliferación de bacterias en el producto. Se verificó que la leche de los productores que realizan el California Mastitis Test (CMT) con mayor frecuencia presentó CCS más alto, lo cual no se esperaba. Los análisis fisicoquímicos promedio fueron densidad 1,031 g/mL a 15°C, índice crioscópico -0,538 °H, contenido de proteína 3,58%, contenido de grasa 4,06%, extracto seco total 12,75%, extracto seco desgrasado 8,69%, acidez titulable 16,2°D y estabilidad del alcohol (Alizarol 72%) 100%. En el 13,3% (6/45) de las muestras se detectó la presencia de antibióticos. Considerando la IN 76, la leche de solo el 8,9% (4/45) de los productores se presentó adecuado simultáneamente para todos los parámetros analizados (CBT, CCS, densidad, índice crioscópico, proteína, grasa, extracto seco total, extracto seco desgrasado, acidez titulable, estabilidad al alizarol e investigación de antibióticos). El uso de un tanque de enfriamiento individual y la realización de CMT favorecieron un CBT más bajo y un CCS más alto respectivamente.

Identidades profesionales de extensionistas rurales en diferentes países de África, América Latina y Oceanía: un estudio comparativo / Professional identities of rural extension workers in different countries of Africa, Latin America and Australia: a comparative study

RESUMEN La extensión rural es una profesión altamente compleja. Es claro que las prácticas más efectivas, se deben adaptar de manera flexible a los contextos y no se pueden pensar en términos de la aplicación tecnocrática de procedimientos. Las identidades profesionales organizan el modo en que los integrantes de diferentes profesiones comprenden su rol y dan forma a sus prácticas laborales. En este trabajo, se estudian las identidades profesionales de los extensionistas, a fin de contribuir a la comprensión de sus prácticas. A partir de un cuestionario, se analizan las identidades profesionales de extensionistas rurales de Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Chile, México, Nueva Zelanda, Nigeria, Paraguay y Sudáfrica. Los datos fueron procesados con el apoyo del software SPSS. Partiendo de una tipología teórica, se observa que la identidad más frecuente es la de un profesional orientado al apoyo productivo-empresarial, seguida por la de aquellos que piensan su rol en términos de mejora de la calidad de vida de los productores. Son pocos los que conciben su profesión en términos de impulsar procesos de cambio social y superación de situaciones de injusticia. Se diferencian dos tipos de países, aquellos donde predomina la identidad de profesionales que apoyan a los agricultores, a nivel productivo-empresarial y aquellos donde esta identidad posee un porcentaje similar a la centrada en la mejora de la calidad de vida. En Nigeria y Sudáfrica es más frecuente la presencia de extensionistas, que se conciben como impulsores de procesos de cambio social.

ABSTRACT Rural extension is a highly complex profession. It is apparent that the most effective practices have to adapt flexibly to the contexts, and cannot be understood in terms of the application of technocratic procedures. Professional identities organize how practitioners understand their role and shape their job practices. In this article, the professional identities of extension workers are studied, with the aim to contribute to the understanding of their practices. Based on a questionnaire, the professional identities of extension workers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay and South Africa were analyzed. Data was processed using SPSS software. Using a theoretical typology, results show that the most frequent identity is that of a professional aimed at supporting farmers at a productive or business level, followed by those who understand their role in terms of improving farmers' quality of life. Finally, only few respondents conceive their role as promoters of processes of social change and overcoming of injustice situations. Two types of countries were identified, one where the identity of supporting farmers at a productive or business level prevails, and other where this identity has similar support to that of helping farmers to improve their quality of life. In Nigeria and South Africa, it is more frequent to find extension workers who understand themselves as facilitators of processes of social change.

Expectativas de los extensionistas rurales latinoamericanos y contribuciones psicosociales / Expectativas de extensionistas rurais latinoamericanos e contribuições psicossociais / Latin american rural extensionists' expectations and psychosocial contributions

Buscando identificar las expectativas de los extensionistas rurales sobre la psicología y clarificar las contribuciones de ésta a la extensión se realizó una encuesta a técnicos de 12 países latinoamericanos. El análisis del contenido de las respuestas abiertas identificó como principales expectativas la gestión de procesos grupales y participativos con productores y la capacitación y asesoramiento a extensionistas. Atendiendo a la propuesta de tomar a los productores como objetos de intervención y no como sujetos de cambio que aparece en múltiples encuestas, se destaca la potencialidad de la psicología para generar procesos de reflexión sobre la práctica y sobre los supuestos que la guían.

Buscando identificar expectativas de extensionistas rurais sobre a psicologia e esclarecer as contribuições desta para a extensão, realizou-se um levantamento junto a técnicos de 12 países latinoamericanos. A análise do conteúdo das respostas abertas identificou, como principais expectativas, a gestão de processos grupais e participativos com produtores e a capacitação e assessoramento a extensionistas. Atendendo à proposta de tomar os productores como objetos de intervenção e não como sujeitos de transformação, como em muitas pesquisas, se destaca a potencialidade da psicología para gerar processos de reflexão sobre a prática e sobre as premissas que a orientam.

Striving to identify rural extensionists' expectations of psychology, and to clarify its contributions to rural extension, a research was conducted, in which 654 rural extensionists from 12 Latin American countries were surveyed. The content analysis of the open questions allowed identifying as core expectations the management of group participatory processes; and the training and advice of practitioners. Taking into account that many surveys treat farmers as objects of intervention and not as subjects of change, the potentiality of psychology to generate reflective processes on practice and on the assumptions guiding it, is highlighted.

EXPECTATIVAS DE LOS EXTENSIONISTAS RURALES LATINOAMERICANOS Y CONTRIBUCIONES PSICOSOCIALES / EXPECTATIVAS DE EXTENSIONISTAS RURAIS LATINOAMERICANOS E CONTRIBUIÇÕES PSICOSSOCIAIS / LATIN AMERICAN RURAL EXTENSIONISTS' EXPECTATIONS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Resumen Buscando identificar las expectativas de los extensionistas rurales sobre la psicología y clarificar las contribuciones de ésta a la extensión se realizó una encuesta a técnicos de 12 países latinoamericanos. El análisis del contenido de las respuestas abiertas identificó como principales expectativas la gestión de procesos grupales y participativos con productores y la capacitación y asesoramiento a extensionistas. Atendiendo a la propuesta de tomar a los productores como objetos de intervención y no como sujetos de cambio que aparece en múltiples encuestas, se destaca la potencialidad de la psicología para generar procesos de reflexión sobre la práctica y sobre los supuestos que la guían.(AU)

Resumo Buscando identificar expectativas de extensionistas rurais sobre a psicologia e esclarecer as contribuições desta para a extensão, realizou-se um levantamento junto a técnicos de 12 países latinoamericanos. A análise do conteúdo das respostas abertas identificou, como principais expectativas, a gestão de processos grupais e participativos com produtores e a capacitação e assessoramento a extensionistas. Atendendo à proposta de tomar os productores como objetos de intervenção e não como sujeitos de transformação, como em muitas pesquisas, se destaca a potencialidade da psicología para gerar processos de reflexão sobre a prática e sobre as premissas que a orientam.(AU)

Abstract Striving to identify rural extensionists' expectations of psychology, and to clarify its contributions to rural extension, a research was conducted, in which 654 rural extensionists from 12 Latin American countries were surveyed. The content analysis of the open questions allowed identifying as core expectations the management of group participatory processes; and the training and advice of practitioners. Taking into account that many surveys treat farmers as objects of intervention and not as subjects of change, the potentiality of psychology to generate reflective processes on practice and on the assumptions guiding it, is highlighted.(AU)

Representación de los extensionistas rurales argentinos sobre los pequeños productores / Representação dos extensionistas rurais argentinos sobre os pequenos agricultores / Argentine rural extensionists' representation of small farmers

Actualmente asistimos a un resurgimiento de la extensión rural en América Latina. Procurando contribuir a la comprensión de los fundamentos psicosociales de las prácticas extensión, se estudió la representación social que los extensionistas tienen de los pequeños productores a partir de una encuesta realizada a técnicos que trabajan en distintas instituciones publicas argentinas (n=219). Las preguntas abiertas fueron categorizadas siguiendo los principios de la Teoría Fundamentada. Luego, los resultados de esta etapa fueron cuantificados, asociados con diferentes variables sociodemográficas y utilizados para la construcción de clusters. Existen cuatro grandes áreas de la representación que se relacionan de manera compleja con distintos modelos de extensión rural. La primera área describe a los productores como aprovechados o dejados de lado por actores más poderosos, la segunda como portadores de escasos recursos para salir adelante, la tercera con características internas negativas y la cuarta como poseedores de capacidades y recursos.

Assistimos atualmente a um ressurgimento da extensão rural na América Latina. Buscando contribuir á compreensão dos fundamentos psicossociais das práticas de extensão, estudou-se a representação social que os extensionistas rurais têm dos pequenos produtores através duma enquete feita a técnicos que trabalham em diferentes instituições públicas da Argentina (n = 219). As perguntas abertas foram categorizadas de acordo com os princípios da Grounded Theory. Depois, os resultados obtidos nesta etapa foram quantificados, relacionados com diferentes variaveis sociodemográficas e utilizados para a construção de aglomerados (clusters). Há quatro áreas principais de representação as quais estão relacionados de forma complexa com diferentes modelos de extensão rural. A primeira área descreve a os produtores como explorados ou deixado de lado por actores sociais mais poderosos, a segunda como tendo recursos limitados para progredir na vida, a terceira como pessoas que têm características internas negativas, e quarto como tendo capacidades e recursos persoais.

Nowadays, rural extension is resurging in Latin America. Aiming at contributing to understand the psychosocial foundations of rural extension practices, the rural extensionists' social representation of small farmers was studied. In this vein, 219 extensionists working in different Argentine public institutions were surveyed. The open questions were analyzed following Grounded Theory. Then, the results of this phase were quantified and related to different socio-demographic variables. Also, a cluster analysis was conducted. Four areas of the representation highlight. One describes small farmers as set aside and taken advantaged of by more powerful social actors; the second as not having resources to 'get ahead'; the third as possessing negative internal characteristics and the last one as owners of useful capacities and resources.

Expectativas de los agentes de desarrollo rural argentinos sobre la Psicología y sobre la inserción profesional de los psicólogos en el ámbito de la extensión rural / Argentine rural development agents' expectations about Psychology and about the employability of psychologists in the area of rural extension

La Psicología posee una importante potencialidad para trabajar en el ámbito de la extensión y el desarrollo rural. No obstante, no existe evidencia empírica suficientemente amplia de las expectativas de los agentes de desarrollo sobre la Psicología. Por este motivo se realizó una investigación transversal de carácter cuantitativo. La muestra fue no probabilística incidental e incluyó participantes de todas las regiones de Argentina. Se encuestó a extensionistas rurales que trabajan en las principales instituciones que realizan extensión rural en el ámbito público. La encuesta, que fue respondida por 219 sujetos (9.06% del total nacional) incluyó preguntas cerradas sociodemográficas y abiertas respecto de las expectativas sobre la Psicología. Las preguntas abiertas fueron categorizadas y organizadas con el apoyo de la teoría fundamentada y el software Atlas Ti. Las categorías fueron convertidas en variables para estudiar su relación con las preguntas sociodemográficas con apoyo del software SPSS. Se concluye que la mayor parte de los extensionistas rurales del ámbito público argentino (un 88%) considera que la Psicología podría ayudarlos a resolver algunos de los problemas a los que se enfrentan, por ejemplo, brindando capacitación y asesoramiento a extensionistas rurales así como participando en equipos interdisciplinarios de extensión rural. Además, podrían trabajar directamente con productores en la gestión de procesos grupales. En términos generales, se destaca la potencialidad de la Psicología en el ámbito del trabajo grupal, la comunicación, el apoyo emocional y el cambio de actitudes y prácticas. Finalmente, se destacan las limitaciones de la investigación realizada.

Many scholars have argued that rural extension and development processes need an interdisciplinary approach, one that includes contributions from different sciences, particularly social ones. In this context, social and community psychology have a great potential to address this topic. In spite of this potentiality, psychology has produced scarce useful contributions to rural development and to extension processes. Additionally, limited empirical support has been given to probe this potentiality, which makes this a theoretical argument. Thus, a cross-sectional, quantitative investigation was conducted in Argentina. An incidental, non-probabilistic sample was used, which included participants from all regions of the country. Rural extension agents working in the National Institute of Agrarian Technology, the ProHuerta Program and the Under secretariat of Family Farming of the Ministry of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries were surveyed via email. Local authorities of these institutions helped the researchers to send and receive the completed surveys indifferent ways. The reply to the poll was voluntary. 219 completed forms (143 men and 76 women) were received, which represent 9.06% of rural extensions working in public institutions in Argentina. The survey included socio-demographic,closed questions, and open ones regarding the problems faced by rural extensions in their everyday practice and their expectations about Psychology as a mean to address them. In order to analyze the open questions, different categories of analysis were built and thoroughly described to cope with ambiguous cases, which were used to categorize all replies. In this process, grounded theory and Atlas Ti software were utilized. Next, these categories were transformed into dichotomist variables, expressing the presence of the category presence of the variable and its absence, the absence of the variable. Then all variables were incorporated to SPSS software, which allowed for the quantification of the results and the study of statistical relationships between different variables. The most important result of this investigation is that 88% of the Argentine rural extensionists working in the National Institute of Agrarian Technology, the ProHuerta Program and the Under secretariat of Family Farming consider that Psychology can contribute to solve at least some of the problems they face when doing rural extension. Interestingly, this represents a very high and unexpected percentage, given psychology is not a social science traditionally related to rural issues or settings. In consequence, it is clear that there is a potential demand for psychologists in the field of rural development processes, which is not being addressed. Additionally, the replies allowed for the description of the role psychologists should fulfill when working in this field, from rural extensions’ point of view. They argue that psychologists could work with both, them and farmers. On the one hand, they could train, advice and provide with practical tools to rural extensionists. Additionally, they could take part in interdisciplinary rural extension teams. In practical terms, they could contribute in fields such as cooperative processes and group management, design and implementation of projects, understanding of small farmers’ rationale, conflict resolution, lack of adoption of technologies, and scarce participation and commitment to development projects. On the other hand, psychologists also could work directly with small farmers, providing training in different topics, and managing groups, particularly in the case of participatory processes. Additionally, they could strengthen small farmers’ self-esteem, a problem that rural extensionists related to passive attitudes and fatalism. To conclude, it is important to underline that, knowing this expected role, psychologists should start a dialogue with rural development agents in order to generate a shared conception of psychologist working in the field of rural extension, which includes both, psychologists’ and rural extensionists’ point of view.

Expectativas de los agentes de desarrollo rural argentinos sobre la Psicología y sobre la inserción profesional de los psicólogos en el ámbito de la extensión rural / Argentine rural development agents expectations about Psychology and about the employability of psychologists in the area of rural extension

La Psicología posee una importante potencialidad para trabajar en el ámbito de la extensión y el desarrollo rural. No obstante, no existe evidencia empírica suficientemente amplia de las expectativas de los agentes de desarrollo sobre la Psicología. Por este motivo se realizó una investigación transversal de carácter cuantitativo. La muestra fue no probabilística incidental e incluyó participantes de todas las regiones de Argentina. Se encuestó a extensionistas rurales que trabajan en las principales instituciones que realizan extensión rural en el ámbito público. La encuesta, que fue respondida por 219 sujetos (9.06% del total nacional) incluyó preguntas cerradas sociodemográficas y abiertas respecto de las expectativas sobre la Psicología. Las preguntas abiertas fueron categorizadas y organizadas con el apoyo de la teoría fundamentada y el software Atlas Ti. Las categorías fueron convertidas en variables para estudiar su relación con las preguntas sociodemográficas con apoyo del software SPSS. Se concluye que la mayor parte de los extensionistas rurales del ámbito público argentino (un 88%) considera que la Psicología podría ayudarlos a resolver algunos de los problemas a los que se enfrentan, por ejemplo, brindando capacitación y asesoramiento a extensionistas rurales así como participando en equipos interdisciplinarios de extensión rural. Además, podrían trabajar directamente con productores en la gestión de procesos grupales. En términos generales, se destaca la potencialidad de la Psicología en el ámbito del trabajo grupal, la comunicación, el apoyo emocional y el cambio de actitudes y prácticas. Finalmente, se destacan las limitaciones de la investigación realizada.(AU)

Many scholars have argued that rural extension and development processes need an interdisciplinary approach, one that includes contributions from different sciences, particularly social ones. In this context, social and community psychology have a great potential to address this topic. In spite of this potentiality, psychology has produced scarce useful contributions to rural development and to extension processes. Additionally, limited empirical support has been given to probe this potentiality, which makes this a theoretical argument. Thus, a cross-sectional, quantitative investigation was conducted in Argentina. An incidental, non-probabilistic sample was used, which included participants from all regions of the country. Rural extension agents working in the National Institute of Agrarian Technology, the ProHuerta Program and the Under secretariat of Family Farming of the Ministry of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries were surveyed via email. Local authorities of these institutions helped the researchers to send and receive the completed surveys indifferent ways. The reply to the poll was voluntary. 219 completed forms (143 men and 76 women) were received, which represent 9.06% of rural extensions working in public institutions in Argentina. The survey included socio-demographic,closed questions, and open ones regarding the problems faced by rural extensions in their everyday practice and their expectations about Psychology as a mean to address them. In order to analyze the open questions, different categories of analysis were built and thoroughly described to cope with ambiguous cases, which were used to categorize all replies. In this process, grounded theory and Atlas Ti software were utilized. Next, these categories were transformed into dichotomist variables, expressing the presence of the category presence of the variable and its absence, the absence of the variable. Then all variables were incorporated to SPSS software, which allowed for the quantification of the results and the study of statistical relationships between different variables. The most important result of this investigation is that 88% of the Argentine rural extensionists working in the National Institute of Agrarian Technology, the ProHuerta Program and the Under secretariat of Family Farming consider that Psychology can contribute to solve at least some of the problems they face when doing rural extension. Interestingly, this represents a very high and unexpected percentage, given psychology is not a social science traditionally related to rural issues or settings. In consequence, it is clear that there is a potential demand for psychologists in the field of rural development processes, which is not being addressed. Additionally, the replies allowed for the description of the role psychologists should fulfill when working in this field, from rural extensions’ point of view. They argue that psychologists could work with both, them and farmers. On the one hand, they could train, advice and provide with practical tools to rural extensionists. Additionally, they could take part in interdisciplinary rural extension teams. In practical terms, they could contribute in fields such as cooperative processes and group management, design and implementation of projects, understanding of small farmers’ rationale, conflict resolution, lack of adoption of technologies, and scarce participation and commitment to development projects. On the other hand, psychologists also could work directly with small farmers, providing training in different topics, and managing groups, particularly in the case of participatory processes. Additionally, they could strengthen small farmers’ self-esteem, a problem that rural extensionists related to passive attitudes and fatalism. To conclude, it is important to underline that, knowing this expected role, psychologists should start a dialogue with rural development agents in order to generate a shared conception of psychologist working in the field of rural extension, which includes both, psychologists’ and rural extensionists’ point of view.(AU)