Agroecology

What you will learn

Course participants will gain an understanding of the conceptual and theoretical framework of agroecology and how it can be used to analyze food production systems (agroecosystems)

Course content

The agroecosystem concept
Structure of natural ecosystems and application in agroecosystems
Energy flows in natural ecosystems and agroecosystems
Nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems and agroecosystems
System-level interactions
Diversity, stability, disturbance succession and energy flow
The role of livestock in agroecosystems
Transitioning to sustainability
Issues surrounding conversion to more sustainable practices
Indicators of sustainability
Sustainable agroecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystems services

Description

Agriculture faces critical challenges that need to be addressed to enable continuous production without degrading the foundations of its productivity. Most of the problems confronting agriculture are rooted in conventional agricultural practices. Agroecology has been proposed as a viable solution to the challenges faced by conventional agricultural systems of feeding a burgeoning population while conserving natural resources within the context of a changing climate, biodiversity loss, and water and energy insecurity. Nevertheless, is it THE solution? What are its advantages and its disadvantages? During this course, participants grapple with several critical questions to explore and gain a balanced understanding of agroecology and the application of ecological concepts and principles in designing and managing food production systems that can support the sustainable production of food.

Key Benefits

By the end of the module, participants will have:

Increased their knowledge of key differences between conventional and agroecological farming approaches.
Develop a capacity to understand the relationships between environmental, economic, and social aspects at the agroecosystem level
Describe how innovations in policy, management, and technology choices can increase efficiency gains in agroecosystems.
Gain an understanding of opportunities and barriers to transitioning from conventional to more sustainable agroecological systems.