O desenvolvimento sustentável nas ações de extensão rural do Núcleo de Agroecologia da Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Abstract

This study evaluated the experience of the Agroecology group at the Academic Unit of Garanhuns/Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UAG/UFRPE). This campus was the first academic unit from the Federal Program for Expansion and Decentralization of Higher Education Institutions in Brazil (REUNI). It was also the first campus established by UFRPE in the country side of Pernambuco State. The new unit is considered an important tool to foster local development in the ‘Agreste Meridional’ region of Pernambuco State. The main characteristic of this study was to identify sustainable development through the actions of the Agroecology Group from UAG/UFRPE by measuring educational, social, and economical development as well as professional qualification. The research was classified as a case study where qualitative and exploratory aspects were addressed. The survey was performed by analyzing the documents from the Agroecology group records. Methods used in this assessment included reports, systematization of participatory diagnostics, semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and bibliographic research. The dissertation was organized in for chapters, reporting its discussions under the framework of University rural extension; family farming; agroecology and sustainable local development. Confronting the findings of the research with the empirical contextualization of this study allowed identifying the difficulties found by the Agroecology Group, such as the infrastructure and the responsibility from both local and state governmental agencies, with the support of the University. From the intellectual build-up and humanistic perspective for the family farmers, the Agroecology Group delivered the expected results by promoting the continuation of the true process of sustainable development and agroecology by fostering local culture and endogenous knowledge.