Participatory rural diagnosis in agricultural extension: a case study of the cattlemen's committee of the municipality of purificación, Tolima - Colombia

Rural extension, understood as a process of technical, organizational, and training support for agricultural producers, finds in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) a key to understanding the territorial, social, and productive dynamics of rural communities. In this context, this document focuses on the analysis of the Livestock Farmers Committee of the municipality of Purificación, Tolima, a professional organization with more than 15 years of experience, which has consolidated its role as a key player in the development of livestock farming in the southeastern part of the department of Tolima.

Founded in 2005, the Committee currently brings together 70 member livestock farmers and is characterized by its democratic structure, its commitment to the well-being of livestock producers, and its active participation in animal health programs, technical training, and resource management. Its scope of action is in the municipality of Purificación, a town made up of 42 rural villages and 38 urban neighborhoods, where livestock farming represents one of the main economic activities.

This working paper presents the results of a Participatory Rural Assessment (PRA) conducted by the Livestock Committee. The objective was to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (a SWOT matrix), as well as to understand its organizational structure, its relationship with the micro-territory, and its potential for transformation within the framework of agricultural extension work. The information collected serves as input for the formulation of intervention strategies to strengthen the sustainability of livestock farming in the southern Tolima region.