| Module Identifier |
RS24110 |
| Module Title |
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-FORESTRY |
| Academic Year |
2001/2002 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr John Warren |
| Semester |
Semester 1 |
| Other staff |
Dr Malcolm Leitch |
| Pre-Requisite |
RS10610 Or equivalent introductory agriculture modules |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 22 Hours |
| |
Practical | 9 Hours 3x3 hours |
| Assessment |
Essay | 2500 word essay | 30% |
| |
Exam | 2 Hours | 70% |
| |
Exam | 2 Hours Supplementary Exam - Course work as above | 70% |
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. discuss key issues and conflicts in defining sustainability
2. identify appropriate objectives, criteria and indicators for sustainable use of (partly) renewable resources (soil, water, energy, nutrients, air, biodiversity, people)
3. assess the sustainability of current practices and systems for agriculture
4. describe practices which will contribute to improved sustainability
5. compare and contrast alternative approaches to agricultural sustainability, in particular integrated crop management and organic farming
6. discuss agro-forestry and permaculture design concepts, and indicte their potential contribution to enhancing agricultural sustainability
Brief description
This module covers sustainability concepts and objectives from the perspective of local, regional and global systems. Sustainable resource use criteria and indicators are introduced for key resources and the factors influencing their sustainable use are examined. Specific applications of these concepts to agriculture amd agro-forestry, including practices to enhance sustainability of resource use, are examined in detail, primarily in the context of temperate climates, but with some reference to initiatives in tropical regions/developing countries.
Reading Lists
Books
Mollison B. (1990)
Permaculture. A practical guide for a sustainable future.. Island Press
(1992)
Agenda 21: programme of action for sustainable development. United Nations Conference on Enviroment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Young A. (1997)
Agro-forestry for soil management. CABI
(1987)
Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development, Oxford Univeristy Press
Barnett V, Payne, R and Steiner R (eds). (1995)
Agricultural sustainability: economic, enviromental, and statistical considerations.. Wiley
Francis C A, Flora C B and King L D (eds) (. (1990)
Sustainable agriculture in temperate zones. John Wiley
Lampkin N H (1990). (1990)
Organic farming. Farming Press
Edwards C A et al (eds). (1990)
Sustainable agriculture systems. Soil and Water Conservation Society; Ankeny, Iowa
Journals
Midmore P (1994). (1994)
Toward a definition of sustainable rural development. Journal of the University of Wales, Agriculture Society, 74, 105-121
Vereijken P. (1986)
From conventional to integrated agriculture.. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science. 34:387-393
Jordan V W L. (1990)
Low input farming and extensification. Agricultural Progress. 65:101-103
Technical Reports
(1989)
Alternative agriculture. National Academy Press; Washington DC