University Social Interaction and Agricultural Extension: Complementary to Rural Development and the Training of Zootechnicians

Abstract

This paper presents an emerging strategic, pedagogical, and methodological proposal for agricultural extension, a form of university social interaction relevant to the southeastern district of Fusagasugá, Cundinamarca. From a higher education perspective, this proposal is articulated with rural secondary and basic education and the community, recognizing the importance of university interaction and rural development as a dynamic socioeconomic axis for the country and its regions. This study is based on the fieldwork conducted by students, teachers, technicians, and environmentalists from the University of Cundinamarca, the Guavio Bajo Agricultural College, and the community in the thematic core areas of rural sociology and the field of economic and administrative learning. This study contributes to the reflection on the contributions of university interaction to agricultural extension processes mandated by the state and to highlighting these contributions in the structuring of classroom methodological tools consistent with the National Agricultural Innovation System, contributing to competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability.