The multifunctionality of agriculture and the educational function of farms: experiences from the practice of pedagogical rural tourism

Abstract

The notion of multifunctionality of agriculture emerges as a new way of thinking about agriculture, which starts to perform other functions in addition to the primary production of food and raw materials. This feature allows to put on scene other potential agricultural activities which until recently were not valued by society. In this context, we highlight the pedagogical rural tourism, characterized as a set of educational activities performed within the farm, which uses as teaching resource the agricultural activities and natural resources found there. In this sense, this study has as main objective to conduct a discussion around the notion of multifunctionality of agriculture and its educational function, focusing on analyzing the practice of pedagogical rural tourism. Thus, through the use of library research, it was found that the development of this activity, from the perspective of multifunctionality, promotes student learning, encouraging the preservation of natural resources and contact with different cultures. Likewise, it allows the farmer to add value to products and services produced on their own property. We conclude that the new roles played by agriculture, such as the educational function, facilitate the promotion of environmental education and food security, contributing to the local rural development.