Regional Importance
Importance of the PPGCA in the regional and national context
The PPGCA is a program that constantly seeks to meet the demands of the region in which it is inserted, training professionals with the profile demanded by the market and developing research with important results for the economy and for sustainable development. It has sought to harness regional natural resources by considering heterogeneous animal models for animal health, potentialities in macro and micro-systemic genetic resources (e.g. ruminants, birds, turkeys, swine, dogs, cats, wild animals, lab animals, fungi, bacteria, viruses), the development of animal feed and the quality of food of animal origin.
The area covered by the PPGCA has natural characteristics, specific to biomes of global importance. The cerrado biome, which includes the state of Goiás and other adjacent borders, has relevant characteristics that deserve to be highlighted in the national scenario. With this in mind, the PPGCA is constantly working on research, dissemination and valorization of Brazilian local breeds, such as the Curraleiro Pé-Duro and Pantaneiro cattle, as well as endangered cerrado animals such as the tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga trydactyla), the use of cerrado plants and fruits for medicinal purposes, such as barbatimão (Stryphnodendron sp) and pequi (Caryocar brasiliense). It is important to point out that PPGCA is part of the Rede Centro Oeste de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Inovação – Pró-Centro-Oeste and of several other research projects, which require finalistic actions in the community. These extension activities are linked to projects in the area of animal health and production that involve family farming, rural settlements and traditional communities, such as the inhabitants of the Historic Site and Cultural Heritage Kalunga, the largest quilombola community in the country.
Also, the State of Goiás presents landscape, climate, geographical location, human population density and, above all, animal density, favoring the development of research and qualification of professionals focused on agribusiness. The Midwest region has sought the continuous advancement of the agro-industrial park and has benefited from the new economic orientation resulting from the diversion of the poles of the South and Southeast regions to the center and north of the country. The PPGCA has trained human resources to develop solutions for regional and national demands. For these reasons, investments in the qualification of professionals that will operate in this market, the generation of knowledge applicable to local conditions and technological innovation, are not neglected or considered less important than those realized in other areas of knowledge.