Environmental Impact and Innovation in Agriculture

Have elementary knowledge of agricultural and livestock activities.

The classes will be mostly of an expository nature, supported by presentations, notes from the teachers, and discussion of case studies. Groups will be formed that should present a guided work with a written report, and should contain in the bibliography 2 references “ISI Web Knowledge”. After the 3rd class, they will start a “project” work, supported by the teachers involved in the UC, who must evaluate the impact of agricultural and livestock activities, and may be based on an agricultural or two different farms, one agricultural and the other livestock. This work will present innovations based on scientific research and current regulations that aim to reduce the impact of agricultural activity on the environment.

Classes will be mostly expository, supported by presentations, teachers’ notes, and discussion of case studies. Groups will be formed that should present an oriented work with a written report, which must contain in the bibliography 2 references “ISI Web Knowledge”. After the 3rd class, two “projects” works will start, supported by the teachers involved in the UC, which must obligatorily assess the impact of agricultural and livestock activities, which may be based on an agricultural holding or two different holdings, one agricultural and the other livestock. These works will present innovations based on scientific research and current regulations that intend to reduce the impact of agricultural and livestock activities on the environment.

Have knowledge to develop an environmental impact project within national standards. Obtain rational criteria for the implementation of decisions related to the integrated management of agricultural areas. Develop “catalogs” of good practices with the most current environmental protection practices. Equate the consequences of agricultural activity in the environment. Know methodologies for assessing and monitoring environmental impacts.

Module 1 – Identification of present and future environmental challenges, with particular focus on the role of agricultural activities as polluting activities and their potential purifier. The legal framework for Environmental Impact Assessments in Portugal and the European Union, in particular with regard to agricultural activities. Use of organic fertilizers, collection, composting and distribution. Products and by-products of agricultural activity.

Module 2 – Environmental impact of agricultural activity. Importance of soil a) Limits to the application of fertilizers, manure and sludge. b) Environmental control of pesticide application. Portuguese Standards for Integrated Production and Integrated Protection (production manuals, methods used and objectives to be achieved).

Module 2 – Livestock activity and biodiversity. Present examples of “catalogs” of good practices. Effluent treatment and conversions in livestock facilities.

NAO