The Crop Science Graduate Program (PPGFITO) of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-arid Region (UFERSA) – former Agricultural College of Mossoró (ESAM) – was officially created on June 1988 with a Master’s degree, and has been offers Doctorate degree since 23rd of June 2003 (Brazil’s National Education Council approval Nº 1,919 of 3/Jun/2005). PPGFITO aims at training lecturers for higher education and researchers for studies and development activities, as well as increasing professional expertise of agricultural technical staff and adpapting professional to the current labor market. PPGFITO is is a high-quality program (Capes grade 6 out of 7) in the field of study: TROPICAL AGRICULTURE.
Over 100 students (July 2021 figures) are enrolled in the program, and most of them receive financial aid granted by official agencies supporting teaching and research, such as the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Rio Grande do Norte State Research Support Foundation (FAPERN).
In 2010 there was a 50% increase in PPGFITO permanent faculty members when the amount of PhD members with CNPq research grants went from 70% – minimum required by CAPES – to 93.33%. This consequently provided better correlation between faculty members and focus areas as well as research projects and focus areas. Currently PPGFITO counts on 16 permanent faculty members, 12 of whom are CNPq research productivity fellows.
Most Master’s and Doctorate theses addresses, preferably, technological issues related to fruit and vegetable crops of the regional productive sector, aiming at small, mid-size, and large scale producers, associations and cooperatives. Nowadays, technologies resulting from research projects in the region and applied in the production of melon, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, mango, grape, and other fruit have greatly contributed to the growth of regional and national agribusiness and, thus, generate important forex for the region and the country. Up to July 2021, PPGFITO has granted 331 Master’s and 198 Doctorate degrees, thus contributing to qualification of professionals from different parts of Brazil.
There is a constant search for student qualification in PPGFITO, and the selection process has been based exclusively on the applicant’s academic and professional merit. Students from all over Brazil have been welcomed into the program. The quality of the selection process and the program itself has been reflected in the performance of our students and alumni, who have been succeeding in public and private institution across the country. In 2017 CAPES upgraded PPGFITO grade from 5 to 6 (out of 7) due to the excellence also found in centers abroad.
