REFLECTIONS ON DIGITAL TECHICAL ASSISTENCE AND INNOVATION FORFAMILY FARMING: POST-COVID-19 DELIVERY OF TECHICAL ASSISTENCESERVICES AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The objective of this article was to discuss the challenges and advances of digital TARE, as a possible complementary tool to the technical assistance and rural extension services as traditionally offered in Brazil. The reflections are based on the idea that, although not recent, the process of incorporating information technologies into the TARE service has accelerated after the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. The hypothesis is that digital TARE presents itself as a complementary tool to enhance and expand the reach of TARE services in Brazil. For the analysis, we studied 17 experiences of strategies, methods, cases, tools and digital platforms used in the provision of TARE services and technology transfer actions with the institutions providing these services – public, private, and third sector – in progress for family farming in Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean. We conclude, therefore, that the use of digital tools can enhance the reach of TARE, but not merely replace the practice of professionals in the area. In addition, it is necessary to expand the training for the use of digital tools in family farming spaces and extensionist teams. Finally, we identify international cooperation, led by the Brazilian State, as an opportunity to facilitate and leverage methodological experiences that result in higher quality and effectiveness of services offered, and we warn about the persistence of infrastructure challenges that need to be addressed, so that rural communities, even the most remote ones, can connect to the rest of society.