CHANGER EST NÉCESSAIRE, CHANGER EST- IL POSSIBLE ? INTERACTION ENTRE ACTEURS ET CONSTRUCTION DE NOUVELLES PRATIQUES EN SCIENCE ET TECHNOLOGIE POUR L´AGRICULTURE FAMILIALE DANS L'ETAT DE PERNAMBOUC, BRESIL

The question of interaction among family farmers, researchers and extension agents of government institutions was widely debated in the academic environment in the years 1980-90. Some recent innovative experiences in different Brazilian regions show a considerable change in the communication among these actors. A study on "best practices" of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco - IPA considering the period 1990-2008 shows how and what is changing in the practical approach of researchers and extension agents for reducing the gap between farmers at the base of the system of food production, researchers, “in the ivory tower” and extension agents included in the system of scientific production and information and technology transfer. Tracking the route for research and development and technical assistance and rural extension (TARE) focused on the familiar agriculture shows an awareness and position of the actors. What changes: methods, means and content, improving the real approximation among the actors and the appropriation of public policies in pursuit of sustainable rural development through participatory intervention methodologies. The establishment of Research and Collective Learning Units presents itself as viable strategy, especially with regard to environmental education with valorization of land resources. This article seeks to demonstrate the advances and weaknesses in the generation and communication of technological innovations for the conversion of systems of agricultural production existing in the Atlantic Rain Forest in the state of Pernambuco into systems considered environmentally correct.