Extensão e desenvolvimento regional no norte de Minas Gerais: ICA/UFMG

Abstract

Universities, through extension, play an important role in the country’s development. In this environment, they make available to society determinant and valuable assets for the progress and sustainability of the regions where they operate. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the possible contributions of the Institute of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICA / UFMG) to the development of the northern region of Minas Gerais, through university extension, from 2008 to 2017. This is a descriptive and interpretative case study, as well as the adoption of structured, semi-structured interview techniques, documentary research and par-ticipant observation. This procedure helped in the discussion and understanding of the connections between ICA and the social segments, describing some of its actions. The study suggests that the internalization of UFMG via ICA is an important link between a federal public educational institution and civil society represented, in large part, by farmers in the region. ICA / UFMG plays a crucial role in creating the conditions to adapt the practices of farmers and other entrepreneurs in the region, boosting the regional.