First University Agricultural Certification

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

Within the framework of Agroexpo 2025, the University of Cundinamarca made history by becoming the first higher education institution in the country to receive the certification of good agricultural practices awarded by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).

The award was given to the Fusagasugá campus for its work in the La Esperanza Agro-environmental Unit, where the Agronomic Engineering program has developed coffee cultivation projects following the highest quality standards.

Jonathan Córdoba Fontecha, coordinator of the Agronomic Engineering program at the Fusagasugá campus, explained that this recognition represents a milestone for the institution. “We are the first university in the country to receive this distinction, which consists of strengthening the practices that must be carried out on plantations, specifically in the area of coffee,” he noted.

The certification not only benefits the university, but also has a significant regional impact. According to Córdoba Fontecha, UCundinamarca is becoming the epicenter in the Sumapaz region for disseminating good agricultural practices among local producers and growers.

“This is a multiplier effect because we are the point of reference for generalizing this knowledge about good agricultural practices in our community,” the coordinator explained.

Strengthening the UDECAFÉ brand

The certification also boosts UDECAFÉ, the institutional coffee brand of the University of Cundinamarca. The institution is not only dedicated to production and cultivation, but has also advanced along the value chain by adding processing steps such as roasting the beans.

This comprehensive approach allows students to participate in the entire production process, from cultivation to marketing in local and regional markets, strengthening the coffee cluster around the university.

Training of new certifiers

During the certification process, UCundinamarca served as a training center for nearly one hundred new Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certifiers. These professionals received theoretical training at the university facilities and practical training on farms, reviewing each of the elements necessary to meet the certification standards.

This achievement is part of the Transmodern Digital Educational Model (MEDIT) of UCundinamarca, which integrates academic training with professional practice and social impact, promoting a transformative education that responds to the needs of the territory and strengthens the sustainable development of the region.

The university maintains its commitment to support and social interaction with the community, offering assistance to local producers who wish to implement these practices in their crops.

This recognition, presented during the closing of Agroexpo 2025, the most important agricultural fair in the country, positions UCundinamarca as a leader in agricultural innovation and training of professionals committed to excellence in the agricultural sector.

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