Communities of practice in rural space: building and sharing knowledge about agricultural activity

Abstract

This study analyzes the use of Communities of Practice (CoPs) developed by farmers aiming at the collective construction and sharing knowledge related to farming production processes. The CoPs are considered appropriate means to reach an efficient exchange of experiences and tacit knowledge, notably procedural (know-how), which constitutes most part of the farmer’s cognitive substrate. The research adopted a method consisting of literature review and field work, which was developed as a case study and a survey in conjunction with Agrolândia Milk Producers Association (Associação de Produtores de Leite de Agrolândia– APLA). The data were collected by means of oral and written interviews. From its members’ view, APLA constitute a CoP, which is evidenced by the dimensions of domain, community and practice. The members acquired knowledge that is considered useful, applying it to their rural properties and decision-making processes. The great majority of members evaluate that participation in the CoP has improved their performance in milking activities.