Extensão universitária para a agricultura familiar

Abstract

University extension in rural areas can generate mutual benefits for universities and local populations. Thus, the objective was to describe and evaluate the actions of the university extension project “Actions for the development of dairy cattle for family farming in the municipalityof Felixlândia-MG”. The project was carried out from 08/2017 to 12/2019 in partnership between the UFMG Veterinary School and the Municipality of Felixlândia-MG in order to offer technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) to milk producers in the municipality. 15 milk producers in the municipality were continuously assisted, with 200 technical visits being carried out over the period. From the university point of view, eight graduate students and 23 undergraduate students were included. The evaluation of the properties showed that those employers showed greater use of technologies and achieved a greater volume of production. However, the use of more modern technologies did not guarantee greater production efficiency for these properties. The results obtained by the program indicate that the ATER with milk producers must be continuous, act promoting the free debate on the production systems and adapt the available technologies to the characteristics of each property. The improvements implemented in the properties as a result of the project allowed for an increase in production efficiency and a better insertion of products in the markets. The actions aimed at family farming made it possible to serve a social group not served by ATER in Brazil historically. The project generated positive impacts for the municipality through increased production and quality of milk and for the university through the expansion of learning spaces for students and the curricularization of extension actions.