Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to assess and document the use of the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) in weather and seasonal climate forecasting in Moletjie, Limpopo Province. The objectives of this study were to document the biological, meteorological, and astrological indicators used to forecast local weather and climate conditions. In addition, the study sought to determine the effectiveness of indicators used in forecasting local weather and climate conditions and to represent the spatial distribution of indigenous weather knowledge using a Participatory Geographic Information System (P-GIS). Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. Surveys and in-depth interviews were used to obtain primary data. The secondary data collected from formally published material (books and journals), served to compliment the primary data. Purposive sampling was used to obtain data from participants with knowledge about Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in seasonal and weather forecasting. From the study, the distribution of indigenous indicators used by Moletjie smallholder farmers was mapped using ArcGIS 10.6. Results show different types of human, biological, meteorological, and astronomical indicators utilized by communities to forecast weather and climate as such they were captured, characterized, and documented. Smallholder farmers considered indigenous knowledge indicators to be more accurate and reliable in their forecasting than scientific projections, which were described as inaccurate and received late. The research found that plants and birds used in this case are in danger of extinction at an alarming rate because of climate change and anthropogenic activities. The study derives key insights from how smallholder farmers in Moletjie village use the IK weather forecast to make farming decisions to ensure farm productivity. It also demonstrates that the smallholder farmers share their trust in modern technology and have confidence and the readiness for the use of scientific forecasting and climate projections which are expected to add value when integrated with IK / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (Ph.D. Agriculture (Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Livestock has evolved to serve as the foundation and backbone of human well-being, and it is an important component of South Africa's agricultural sector. The small stock such as sheep (Ovis aries) in Limpopo province has remained a significant and multifunctional livelihood strategy for the majority of the rural and resource-poor people. Factors such as population growth, urbanization, rising per capita income and changes in consumer tastes and preferences are all contributing to gradual increases in livestock product consumption and demand. According to the 2019 Abstract of Agricultural Statistics, South Africa is an importer of sheep and sheep products. If the sheep production industry in the province could pursue this opportunity and realize its full production potential then increased production could stimulate economic growth and development, particularly from the communal and smallholder sector. Objective one of the study seeks to describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of communal and smallholder sheep farmers, identify sheep feeding practices and describe the constraints that hinder the sustainable productive growth of communal and smallholder sheep systems. Data were collected from one hundred and twenty (120) sheep farmers using a structured questionnaire across three agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province. Results revealed that overall, the majority of sheep farmers were males (78%) and farmers were above 60 years old (48%). Mean sheep flock size differed significantly between communal (24.74) and smallholder (62.36) farmers. Indigenous crossbreeds were the dominant breed kept by communal (86%) and smallholder (77%) farmers. The majority of communal and smallholder farmers (90% and 96%, respectively) reared their sheep under an extensive system with rangelands as the main source of feed. As a result, they experience a critical feed gap during June and September, the mid-winter to early spring until the first rains. The findings of the study revealed that feed shortages and diseases were ranked as the first and second production constraints by sheep farmers in both the production systems. In rangeland-dependent feeding systems, insufficient feed to meet animal demands create a feed gap, which is a critical factor that limits sheep productivity and causes xxi land degradation through overgrazing. Improved forages have been widely advocated as a critical step toward resolving this challenge. However, the adoption and utilization of improved technologies such as on-farm forage legume production by these farmers have been very low, contributing to the province's low sheep productivity. An extension of objective one of this study used primary data which was collected from a sample of 120 sheep farmers to determine the factors that influence the adoption of on-farm forage legume production and the perceived barriers to adoption by communal and smallholder sheep farmers in the Limpopo province. A Probit regression model and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that the adoption of on-farm forage production by communal and smallholder sheep farmers is influenced by several factors, including gender, farming experience, knowledge of forage legume production, source of income, membership in farmer associations, access to extension services and farm size. Farmer perceived barriers to adoption of on-farm forage legume production identified by this study were low institutional support, lack of resources, lack of knowledge, shortage of water and objectives of the farmer. It is therefore recommended that intensive and high-quality extension support in partnership with industry associations and stakeholders is required for communal and smallholder farmers to improve forage technology awareness, training and promote on-farm forage production to transform communal and smallholder sheep feeding practices. In the face of climate change, identifying forage species with a high potential to mitigate winter feed gap challenges under more variable climatic conditions is critical. Trifolium and Vicia species are forage legumes well known for producing high-quality forage, particularly protein, which is deficient in the majority of feed resources used for sheep feeding during the winter season. Climate change-induced stresses from rising temperatures, which these winter annual forage legumes are likely to face, necessitate agronomic and breeding approaches to improve their adaptability. Lack of knowledge on how these climate change mitigation approaches influence the productivity of winter annual forage legumes in the Pietersburg Plateau of Limpopo province prompted objective two of this study. A three-year field experiment laid in a split-split plot design with four replications was conducted to measure the effects of planting date, cultivar and harvest stage on the physiological traits associated with biomass production, forage quality, nodulation activity and xxii nutritive value of annual clover and vetch species. The results showed that the planting date and harvest stage had a significant effect on leaf gaseous exchange and biomass production. A non-significant effect of planting date on nutritive value was observed. Intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, instantaneous water use efficiency and intrinsic water use efficiency in cultivars increased with delayed planting, while a decrease in photosynthetic rate, shoot DM, root DM and nodule DM was observed. Overall among the cultivars, Resal, Alex, Elite, Laser and Dr Baumans showed more consistency in terms of leaf gaseous exchange, biomass production and quality traits under planting date 1 and varying harvest stages. Investment in the year-round fodder flow establishment with high-quality forages is important in supporting sustainable sheep production. Forage legume-grass rotation systems are important not only for green fodder production of high crude protein, mineral and vitamin content throughout the year but also for enhanced soil fertility to reduce the nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements. Accurate estimates of forage yields on the farm are required for fodder flow planning to ensure the seasonal distribution of fodder throughout the year. Objective three of the study was a no-tillage, short-term rotation experiment conducted to determine the growth and nutritive value of forage sorghum, planted after the winter annual forage legumes in combination with nitrogen application and to validate the performance of the APSIM-grain sorghum crop model in simulating forage sorghum growth and biomass production under different N rates. The treatments were planting date (January and February) and N source from inorganic N fertilizer (0 kg N ha-1, 60 kg N ha-1, 120 kg N ha-1, 180 kg N ha-1) and forage legume N residues (Alex, Capello, Dr Baumans, Elite, Hanka, Laser, Linkarus, Opolska, Resal and Timok) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The findings of this study showed a significant response of forage sorghum growth and nutritive value to planting date. Delayed planting reduced plant height (11%), stem diameter (18%), LAI (6.7%), chlorophyll content (18%), NDVI (2.5%), photosynthetic rate (38%) and biomass production (8%). Delayed planting further reduced crude protein, acid detergent fiber and N yield. Nitrogen source from inorganic N at 60 kg N ha-1, 120 kg N ha-1, 180 kg N ha-1 and residual N from annual clover and vetch cultivars had a significant effect on morphological, physiological, yield and nutritive value parameters of forage sorghum. xxiii Generally, legume N residue effects on all the studied parameters of forage sorghum were similar to the inorganic N fertilizer of 60 kg N ha-1. However, the effects differed widely according to the species and cultivar of the legume. Resal, Laser, Elite Capello and Dr Baumans N residue consistently showed greater effects than other legume residues. They consistently outperformed inorganic 60 kg N ha-1 on the most measured parameters. The results confirm that annual clover-forage sorghum and vetch-forage sorghum rotation have huge potential to reduce the cost and negative environmental effects associated with inorganic N use in forage prediction systems. Regarding the evaluation of the potential of the APSIM grain legume model to simulate forage legume DM and plant height, in general, the model performed well and accurately in predicting the shoot dry matter accumulation and plant height under 0 kg N ha-1, 60 kg N ha-1 and 120 kg N ha-1. However, it underestimated both these parameters at 180 kg N ha-1 implying that the application of N up to 180 kg N ha-1 is not necessary. APSIM-grain module was able to accurately predict forage biomass production under N rates up to 120 kg N ha-1 and it is therefore considered reliable to support the N nutrition in the forage sorghum fodder production systems. / University of Limpopo, research office under the UCDP program and National Research Foundation-Thuthuka

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Climate change and variability on a global level is one of the most serious environmental challenges which exacerbates the well-known vulnerability of smallholder farmers. To cushion the shock of climate change, risk management plays a crucial role in farming, and in the same context, insurance positions itself as one of the main risk management instruments available to farmers. However, one of the key reasons to the struggles of smallholder farmers in South Africa is the inability to obtain effective insurance. To this end, the study identified and profiled the socio-economic features of smallholder cattle farmers, identified smallholder cattle farmers’ perceptions on components of climate change as sources of risk to cattle production and finally, analysed the determinants of willingness to adopt IBLI among smallholder cattle farmers. A purposive multistage sampling procedure was used to identify 110 smallholder cattle farmers in the Polokwane local Municipality. IBM SPSS version 26 and STATA version 15 was used to analyse the primary cross-sectional data collected through structured questionnaire interviews. Farmers’ perceptions on components of climate change as sources of risk were identified using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The PCA revealed three principal components (PCs) explaining almost 61% of the variance of the original variables (climate change components). Furthermore, about 89% of the sampled farmers were willing to adopt IBLI, while about 11% weren’t willing to adopt and the Probit regression model results revealed that marital status, farming experience, access to extension services, off- farm income and land ownership, farmers’ educational level, household size, experience of livestock loss and farm size significantly influenced willingness to adopt IBLI. Based on the findings of this study, the recommended interventions include workshops for raising IBLI awareness, government subsidy on insurance premiums and finally, increased extension service reach to smallholder cattle farmers. / AgriSETA

Thesis (M.Sc.(Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Understanding the factors that influence farmers' decisions to take preventive measures against natural hazards provides insight that can be used to develop user-specific interventions to support their adaptation processes. The use of Protection Motivation Theory in analysing climate risk adaptation behaviour is driven by the increase in climate change, which is projected to increase the frequency and severity of climate related risks such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Given the importance of livestock in rural communities, information about their adaptation must be prioritised; yet, this is not the case, as most climate change adaptation research focus on crop production. The main aim of the study was to analyse the drought risk preparedness of smallholder livestock farmers in the Limpopo Province's Blouberg Local Municipality. The study's specific objectives were to identify and describe the socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder livestock farmers in the Blouberg Local Municipality, as well as to determine the drought coping and adaptation strategies used by them and to evaluate the protection motivation theory components influencing that coping and adaptation behaviour. The study collected primary cross-sectional data from 130 smallholder livestock farmers in the Blouberg Local Municipality using a semi-structured questionnaire. The farmers' drought risk coping and adaptation strategies were described using descriptive statistics, while multiple linear regression was used to test whether protection motivation theory variables influence the adaptation and coping choices of smallholder livestock farmers in Blouberg Local Municipality. According to the findings, smallholder livestock farmers in Blouberg Local Municipality use four measures on average to protect their livestock against drought. With an R2 adjusted of 0.70, protection motivation theory variables explain 70% of the variation in farmer protection motivation. Perceived risk probability, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived costs were significant variables associated with farmers' protection motive. It is recommended that interventions meant to increase drought risk resilience of the farmers should prioritise early warning signals to increase perceived probability of the farmers, create platforms for information exchange to increase perceived severity, teach farmers methods practically to increase perceived self-efficacy and keep the price of utilising measures low to decrease perceived cost / Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC)

This thesis investigates the semantic values of the two concepts “smallholding” (Swe. “småbruk”) and “smallholder farmer” (Swe. “småbrukare”), as well their role and function as central concepts in the public debate about the “agricultural rationalisation” (Swe. “jordbrukets rationalisering”) reform initiated by the Swedish government together with industry actors in the late 1940s. Studying articles in the newspapers published by two Swedish farmers’ associations, as well as government documents and political pamphlets, I employ the concept of “temporalisation” developed by Reinhart Koselleck as part of his theory on conceptual history in order to identify implicit and biased expectations on “modernity” ruling against smallholding as a viable form of farming in the future. I also study how rationalisation advocates’ descriptions and opinions are contested in the writings of smallholder activists and practicians. I argue that the meanings and associations attributed to smallholding and its modus operandi in the late 1940s, strongly influenced by the “agricultural rationalisation” debate of the time, disqualified it from any modernising project on grounds that were oftentimes ideological rather than rational or factual. I further argue that a misunderstanding of the modus operandi and purpose of smallholder farming, prompted by the application of industrial concepts and ideals as well as undue comparisons with other trades and professions, exaggerated the poor socio-economic status of smallholder families. This resulted in a temporalisation of the “agricultural rationalisation” debate, depicting large-scale industrial agriculture as a thing of the future and smallholding as a thing of the past.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an important cash crop, which remains one of the largest sources of income and a way of sustaining livelihoods for rural households in South Africa. Smallholder farming in most rural areas of the Limpopo Province contributes to food security. However, the majority of smallholder farmers experience low agricultural productivity, low quantities and poor quality produce which reduce their chances of accessing markets. Hence, this study focused on identifying and analysing factors that determine productivity and market access by smallholder spinach farmers in the Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. This area of research is important towards the development of smallholder farming where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. The overall objective of the study was to examine farm and farmer characteristics that determine the productivity and market access of the smallholder vegetable farmers. In order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study, a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 80 smallholder spinach farmers to collect primary data from them using structured questionnaires. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to examine factors that determine productivity level and the Two limit Tobit Model was also used to analyse factors that influence market access. The results from the Cobb-Douglas production function indicated that smallholder farmers in the study area are experiencing a decreasing return to scale, which suggests that they are over-utilising factors of production. Two-limit Tobit Model results on the socioeconomic factors that influence market access indicated that household size was statistically significant at 10%, distance to the market, extension contact and farming experience were statistically significant at 5% and educational level, quantity produced and market information was statistically significant at 1%. Based on the findings, several policy suggestions were made. These include strengthening of farmers‟ organisation, provision of market information, regular extension visits and provision of training to the farmers.

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the study, six irrigation schemes based in the Eastern Cape have been considered and evaluated, according to two levels of supply (LOS) of irrigation water. The two levels of supply are that of a commercial irrigator and that of a smallholder irrigator. The irrigation infrastructure for each of the six schemes was designed, and the associated costs determined, for each level of supply. The primary objective of the study is to determine the impact of infrastructure costs and irrigation areas on the target user, either the commercial or the smallholder irrigator. This is related directly to the assumption that lower water volumes are used by the smallholder irrigator. The study addresses the impact of different designs on the amount of water used, land utilised and resultant costs of the infrastructure. The initial capital costs and the on-going operational and maintenance costs (O&M) for each level of supply for each of the schemes have been calculated. The evaluation of the two LOS has shown that the capital cost for the commercial LOS is approximately 18 % higher than for the smallholder LOS and the O&M costs 6 % to 36 % higher. The schemes that were investigated can be grouped into five general scheme types. The first type is gravity schemes, which need rehabilitation, while the bulk supply is in place with no augmentation or rehabilitation required. The second is pumped scheme which is in need of rehabilitation, while the bulk supply is in place with no augmentation or rehabilitation required. The third type includes run-of-river schemes where water is abstracted and pumped directly to the lands. The fourth type includes run-of-river schemes where water is abstracted and pumped to storage. The fifth type is the gravity scheme where the bulk supply needs to be installed as part of the scheme. These types are then grouped and can be used to give guidance on the anticipated costs dependant on the scheme type and the required level of service. A further objective of the research is to determine the impact on the smallholder irrigators who find themselves on a commercial LOS system. This can be either on a scheme that has already been designed, or on a new system. The evaluation of the commercial under-utilised LOS and the smallholder LOS has shown that the commercial capital cost is 18 % higher and the O&M costs 5 % to 29 % higher. The study further aligns the estimated costs with the farmer typology providing a broader understanding of the design to be adopted for different levels of supply. This provides the linkage between farmer types, the design to be implemented and the anticipated costs thereof. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As deel van hierdie narvorsing word ses verskillende besproeiingsskemas in die Oos-Kaap ten opsigte van twee voorsieningsvlakke ondersoek. Die twee voorsieningsvlakke ter sprake is vir ‘n kommersiële en kleinboerdery opset. Die besproeiingsinfrastruktuur is vir elk van die ses besproeiingsskemas ontwerp en ‘n kosteberaming vir elk van voorsieningsvlakke gedoen. Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie verslag is om te bepaal wat die impak van kostes en besproeiingsareas op beide kommersiële- en kleinboerderye is. Dit is direk gebaseer op die aanname dat kleinboerderye minder water gebruik. Die verslag ondersoek die impak van verskillende ontwerpe op waterverbruik, besproeiingsoppervlak benodig en die gevolglike infrastruktuurkostes. Die aanvanklike kapitaalkostes asook bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes (B&O) vir elk van die voorsieningsvlakke, is vir elk van die besproeiingskemas bereken. Die resultaat van die ondersoek van die twee voorsieningsvlakke het aangetoon dat die kapitaalkoste van kommersiële besproeiingskemas 18 % hoër as die van kleinboerderye is, en bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes 6 tot 36 % hoër. Die skemas wat ondersoek is, kan in vyf algemene skema tipes verdeel word. Die eerste is die gravitasieskemas wat rehabilitasie benodig terwyl die hooftoevoer in plek is met geen uitbreidings- of rehabilitasiebehoeftes. Die tweede is pompskemas wat rehabilitasie benodig terwyl die hooftoevoer in plek is met geen uitbreidings- of rehabilitasiebehoeftes. Die derde is rivierskemas waar besproeiingswater direk uit die rivier na die landerye gepomp word. Die vierde is rivierskemas waar besproeiingswater direk uit die rivier na a reservoir gepomp word. Die vyfde skema tipe is die gravitasieskemas waar die hooftoevoer ook gebou moet word as deel van die skema. Die skema tipes kan gebruik word om leiding te verskaf ten opsigte van verwagte skema kostes afhangende van die skema tipe en vereiste voorsieningsvlak. ‘n Verdere doelwit van die studie is om die impak op kleinboere te bepaal wat op ‘n kommeriële voorsieningsvlak boer. So ‘n stelsel kan ‘n gevestigde of nuwe stelsel wees. Die resultaat van die ondersoek van die onderbenutte kommersiële voorsieningsvlak en die kleinboerdery voorsieningsvlak het gewys dat die kapitaalkoste van kommersiële besproeiingskemas 18 % hoër as die van kleinboerderye is, en bedryfs- en onderhoudsuitgawes 5 tot 29 % hoër. Die verslag vereenselwig die verwagte kostes met die tipe boerdery en verskaf ‘n beter begrip van die tipe ontwerp wat elk van die voorsieningsvlakke benodig. Dit verskaf dus die verband tussen die tipe boerdery, die ontwerp benodig en die verwagte projekkostes.

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May, 2015. / There is sufficient evidence supporting that climate change and variability are pervasive realities that are strongly impacting on smallholder farmers in the Great Ruaha River sub-Basin of Tanzania. This PhD study examines smallholder farmers’ vulnerability, coping and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability (including non-climatic stresses), and investigates how such coping and adaptation may be constrained or enhanced given climate variability and change. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used when engaging with smallholder farmers and government officials. Primary data collection was undertaken in two phases, with phase one using participatory tools (e.g. focus group discussions, wealth ranking, community mapping and transect walk, and historical time lines). Data collected include climatic and non-climatic extreme events, farmers’ perceptions, coping and adaptation strategies. Phase two involved detailed individual interviews (questionnaire surveys) and key informant interviews (case studies), so as to obtain in-depth information on issues of interest. Secondary data were collected from existing statistical sources, literature surveys in archives, libraries and documentation centres, and from governmental agencies (e.g. TMA). Demographic, agricultural production and livestock statistics, and rainfall and temperature records were collected. Results from selected meteorological stations and farmers’ perceptions (74%) indicate that there has been an increase in average maximum temperatures, and both dry and wet years with varying magnitudes during the past four decades. Other climatic stresses include delayed onset and later cessation of the rain seasons. The agreement between farmers’ perceptions and rainfall trends provides good evidence that the climate has become increasingly variable in the GRRB during the past four decades. Achieving sustainable livelihoods is further compounded by non-climatic stresses such as access to markets and coordinating institutions. Results indicate that vulnerability is a complex phenomenon that entails two approaches (end-point and starting-point perspectives). The end-point perspective views vulnerability as the net projected climate change impacts after adaptation has taken place, whilst the starting-point perspective looks at both the current and future multiple stresses and places much emphasis in improving the adaptive capacity. In the study villages, such a nuanced picture highlighted areas for enhanced adaptation strategies. Farmers respond by using various strategies to deal with droughts, floods and other stresses when they occur. During droughts, they mostly use irrigation (canal, pumping and cans), or plant short-term maturing crops. During food shortages, farmers use strategies such as buying food, borrowing money, temporary migration, working in other people’s farms for cash, and reducing consumption. Moreover, the farmers’ choice of adaptation and coping strategies is influenced by factors such as location, access to resources, education levels and institutions. This calls for a whole system approach, which entails defining vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climatic and non-climatic stresses and thus designing appropriate response strategies. For example, mainstreaming adaptation to such stresses when considering development plans, projects, programmes and policies at all scales.

Die Zusammenarbeit von Bauern, Beratern, Forschern und ihren Organisationen zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Raumes befindet sich in Brasilien in einer Krise. Es fehlen Entscheidungen und überzeugende Vorschläge seitens der Regierung für die Zukunft der landwirtschaftlichen Beratung. Die vorliegende Arbeit hat daher zum Ziel, zur Verbesserung der landwirtschaftlichen Forschung und Beratung in Brasilien und der Zusammenarbeit der Akteure im ländlichen Raum beizutragen. Als eine spezifische Form der Partizipation wird die Partnerschaft eingeführt, bei der die Akteure Organisationen sind und deren Wirkung über die mikrosoziale Ebene hinaus die meso- und makrosoziale Ebene einbezieht. Zunächst werden die bisher in der brasilianischen Agrarforschung und Beratung vertretenen Konzepte untersucht. Das Verständnis ihrer Grenzen und Möglichkeiten erlaubt, den Spielraum für die Einführung neuer Ansätze besser einzuschätzen. In der Arbeit werden zwei partizipative Erfahrungen im brasilianischen Bundesstaat Pará als Fallbeispiele aufbereitet: eine Entwicklungsorientierte Forschung mit Gruppen von Bauern im Rahmen einer Partnerschaft zwischen einer Forschungsorganisation (LAET) und einer Bauernorganisation (MPST) und der Aufbau eines landwirtschaftlichen Beratungsdienstes (Lumiar). Die Tatsache, daß beide Projekte im gleichen Kontext in der Region der Transamazônica angesiedelt sind, erleichtert das Verständnis der verschiedenen Dimensionen von Partizipation und Partnerschaft. Die Fallstudien werden in einem Dialog zwischen Theorie und Praxis anhand von Schlüsselelementen analysiert: Einstellung, Motivation und Fähigkeit; Bedarf; Macht; Organisationen; Konflikte; Vertrauen und Verhandlungen. Die Arbeit gelangt zu der Schlußfolgerung, daß eines der größten Probleme in der Praxis die Unklarheit über die Art der Partnerschaft ist, die unterschiedlich eng gestaltet werden kann. Im Prinzip wird die Möglichkeit der partizipativen Zusammenarbeit zwischen verschiedenen sozialen Welten (Bauern, Forscher, Berater) bestätigt, wobei deren wesentliche Schwierigkeit die Vermittlung zwischen verschiedenen Interessen ist. Erst durch die Einbeziehung der Ebene der Organisationen mit ihren Interessen können die Handlungen der Akteure verstanden werden, die auf diesem Niveau durch die zunehmende Notwendigkeit gekennzeichnet sind, Ungewißheitszonen zu sichern. Hegemoniestreben und die Gefahr von Mißverständnissen werden größer. Machtbeziehungen und Konflikte sind normale Erscheinungen, mit denen die Forscher und Berater umzugehen lernen müssen. Die Freiheit der Akteure bietet Spielraum zur Verwirklichung neuer Ansätze, beschränkt jedoch auch ihre verordnete Einführung. Einerseits ermöglicht sie die Einbindung offizieller Institutionen in die Agrarentwicklung. Andererseits verwandeln sich Organisationen, die als homogen angesehen werden, in zahlreiche Akteure mit unterschiedlichen Interessen. Verhandlungen sind im allgemeinen keine Auseinandersetzung um Argumente, sondern es geht um Interessen und Macht. Vertrauen kann es wegen der Machtbeziehungen und der zu ihrer Aufrechterhaltung notwendigen Ungewißheitszonen nur in eingeschränktem Maße geben und ist eher auf die mikrosoziale Ebene beschränkt, wo Strategien und Machtspiele eine geringere Rolle spielen. Zahlreiche Phänomene offenbaren sich erst durch die Aktion, darunter die Verhältnisse zwischen den Beteiligten, der soziale Bedarf und die Motive für die Zusammenarbeit. Die Integration zwischen Forschung und Beratung sowie die Zunahme von Interdisziplinarität kann nur durch die Auseinandersetzung vor Ort erreicht werden. Subjektive Faktoren, an erster Stelle Empathie, spielen eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Beratung, der Verhandlung und der Konfliktbehandlung. Die Erfahrungen aus den Fallstudien werden zu einem Vorschlag für einen kombinierten Forschungs- und Beratungsdienst aufgearbeitet. Dieser ordnet sich in die aktuellen Bemühungen um eine Neudefinition der Dienstleistungen für die bäuerliche Landwirtschaft ein, bei der die brasilianische Bundesregierung und die Bauernorganisationen Auseinandersetzungen und Dialoge um Veränderungen in der Agrarpolitik führen. / The cooperation among farmers, extensionists, researchers and their organisations to develop the rural areas in Brazil is in a crisis. Decisions as well as convincing proposals from the government are lacking about the future of the rural extension. The aim of this work is to contribute to the improvement of research and rural extension services in Brazil and also the cooperation among the actors in the rural areas. Partnership is introduced as a specific form of participation, in which organisations are the actors. Its impacts go beyond the micro social level to include the meso and the macro levels. Current approaches in Brazilian research and rural extension are analyzed first. Based on an understanding of their limits and possibilities, the opportunities for the introduction of new approaches are evaluated. Case studies on two participatory experiences in the Brazilian state of Pará are presented in this work: a research project with farmer groups in a partnership between a research organisation (LAET) and a farmer`s organisation (MPST), and the creation of a rural extension service (Lumiar). The fact that these studies are situated within the same context in the Transamazonian region facilitated the assessment of the various dimensions of participation and partnership, allowing the analysis of the research as well as the extension aspects. The case studies are discussed through key elements: attitude, motivation, ability, demand, power, organisations, conflicts, trust and negotiations. The results show that one of the biggest problems was the uncertainty about the type of partnership, which may take different forms: distant or close. The results of the dialogue between theory and practice, which were structured by the key elements, confirm the possibility of participatory work among different social worlds (farmers, researchers and extensionsts), whose main problem is the mediation between different interests. Only through the consideration of the organisational level can the actions of the actors be understood, which are characterized at this level by the growing need to protect uncertainty zones. The search for hegemony becomes relevant and the danger of disagreement grows. Power relations and conflicts are natural phenomena which the researcher and the extensionist have to learn to deal with. The actors´ freedom of action provides opportunities for the introduction of new approaches. However, it also limits its regulated implementation. Organisations, initially considered homogeneous, turn into many actors with diverse interests. In negotiations, arguments are less important than interests and power. Because of the power relations and the uncertainy zones, trust is only possible in a limited way. That is why it is more limited to the micro social level, in which the strategies and the power games play a minor role. Many phenomena only become apparent through action, such as the relationship between the stakeholders, their social needs and reasons for cooperation. The integration of research and extension, as well as an increase in interdisciplinarity can be achieved only through common action on the local level. Subjective factors, especially empathy, play a decisive role in advising, negotiation and conflict management. Based on the case studies, a proposal is presented for an integrated research and extension service. It can be part of the current efforts aimed at redefining services for smallholder agriculture, in which the Brazilian government and farmers` organisations are using confrontation and dialogue to achieve changes in the agrarian politics.

nÃo hà / Constitui-se intenÃÃo central deste estudo analisar o modo como se estabeleceram as relaÃÃes entre tÃcnicos do Estado e pequenos produtores rurais assentados em Ãreas de Assentamento da Reforma AgrÃria do CearÃ, explicitando os encontros e, ou confrontos de suas prÃticas, seus saberes e sua articulaÃÃo com a questÃo do poder, identificando ao mesmo tempo as possibilidades e os limites da construÃÃo de uma prÃxis educativa entre esses sujeitos e agentes. A escolha deste objeto de estudo està referenciada no percurso prÃtico e teÃrico que vivi na Secretaria da EducaÃÃo do Estado e em outras experiÃncias profissionais junto aos pequenos produtores rurais assentados e suas organizaÃÃes associativas. A reflexÃo teÃrico/prÃtica empreendida teve como campo de observaÃÃo uma experiÃncia concreta â a implementaÃÃo do Programa de Apoio à GestÃo de OrganizaÃÃes de Pequenos Produtores Rurais â que se desenvolveu no espaÃo geogrÃfico e polÃtico de Ãreas de assentamento, no perÃodo de novembro de 1993 a julho de 1994. O Programa foi o resultado de uma histÃria de luta dos assentados junto a instituiÃÃes pÃblicas, na tentativa de viabilizar um processo de cooperaÃÃo tÃcnico-administrativa compatÃvel com seus interesses e necessidades. Para empreender a anÃlise do objeto de estudo, busquei como suporte teÃrico-metodolÃgico a contribuiÃÃo de algumas categorias e concepÃÃes marxistas ou que compartilham dessa interpretaÃÃo, como Estado, trabalho, prÃxis, saber social e poder, instrumentos fundamentais para a compreensÃo mais global do homem como sujeito de sua histÃria e das relaÃÃes que estabelece entre os demais homens e estes com a realidade. Considerando que a prÃxis educativa à uma dimensÃo da prÃxis humana, pontuei como achados deste trabalho os espaÃos potencializadores dessa prÃxis. Processos educativos se gestaram ao longo dos encontros e desencontros de prÃticas, de saberes e poderes, entre assentados e tÃcnicos e destes com as instituiÃÃes que fomentaram o Programa, e legitimaram a presenÃa do Estado. NÃo apenas os encontros (caminhos), mas as oposiÃÃes de prÃticas, saberes e poderes (descaminhos) traduzem a potencialidade de construÃÃo de uma prÃxis educativa, cujas sementes tiveram na experiÃncia do Programa de Apoio um solo fÃrtil para sua germinaÃÃo. / It constitutes the central intent of this study to examine how relations were established between the technicians of the State and smallholder rural settlers settled in Areas of Settlement Land Reform of CearÃ, explaining the encounters and/or confrontations of their practices, their knowledge and their articulation with the power question, identifying both the possibilities and the limits of the construction of an educational praxis between these subjects and agents. The choice of this object of study is referenced in the practical and theoretical path that I lived in the Secretaria da EducaÃÃo do Estado and in other professional experiences along the smallholder rural settlers and their membership organizations. The theoretical / practice reflection had undertaken as observation field a concrete experience - the implementation of the following program: Programa de Apoio à GestÃo de OrganizaÃÃes de Pequenos Produtores Rurais - that was developed in the geographical and political space settlement areas, from November 1993 to July 1994. The program was the result of a history of struggle of the settlers with public institutions in an attempt to enable a process of technical and administrative cooperation compatible with their interests and needs. To undertake the analysis of the object of study, I sought as a theoretical-methodological support the contribution of some marxist categories and conceptions or those that share this interpretation, as State, work, praxis, social knowledge and power, essential tools for a more global understanding of man as the subject of his history and of the relationships that he establishes between other men and them with reality. Whereas the educational praxis is a dimension of human praxis, I pointed out as discoveries of this study, the potentiating spaces of this praxis. Educational processes gave birth over the comings and goings of practices, knowledge and powers, between settlers and technicians and those with institutions that fostered the Program, and legitimized the presence of the state. Not only the meetings (paths), but the oppositions of practices, knowledge and powers (waywardness) translate the potentiality of construction of such an educational praxis whose seeds had in the experiment of the Support Program, a fertile soil for germination.