Systems of Agriculture and Sustainability of the Territories

Project-based learning, concerned with the analysis of a farm or an area of a territory, using indicators associated with the characterization of local or regional agriculture systems, in the context of the territory where the student is inserted or can recognize.

Promotion of discussion and debate sessions, based on research and work carried out for the characterization/definition of agricultural systems, fostering interaction through comparative and critical analysis of indicators for different agricultural systems.

By addressing agricultural systems and their problems, PhD students will also have the chance to deepen their knowledge and technical skills in relevant topics aligned with their thesis theme and aimed at acquiring skills that will be used and optimized in their thesis work. This “Problem Based Learning” approach allows the deepening of knowledge and, above all, technical skills that will enable the PhD student to perform better in his/her thesis work.

1 – Understands the concepts and methodologies to characterize agricultural systems and territorial diagnosis.

2 – Analysis of agricultural systems from a productive, economic, social and environmental perspective – inputs and outputs.

3 – Knows agricultural, livestock and forestry practices for sustainable agriculture and impacts to the territory.

4 – Understands the importance of multidisciplinary approaches with a view to analyse the different variables present in the dynamics of production systems, for a more correct perception and evaluation of agricultural systems (sustainability indicators, life cycle analyses, territorial diagnoses).

5 – Knows how to develop a case study to evaluate an agricultural system – a territorial diagnosis or a diagnosis of the systemic relations of an agricultural/agroforestry exploration with its territory.

1 – The main agricultural systems (AS) and the environments where they operate.

Association between different farming systems and territories.

Production systems in agriculture – polyculture – monoculture, extensive – intensive, resources use, use of technology, Industrialized agriculture Family farming Agricultural systems Agroforestry systems

2 – AS efficiency. Edaphoclimatic characteristics and adaptation of AS to a territory. Diversity and valorisation of inputs and outputs in terms of exploitation and ecosystem services.

3 – AS diversity at territorial level. Economic, social and environmental characteristics. Territorial diagnostic tools.

4 – Case study to evaluate AS, territorial diagnosis or diagnosis of the systemic relations of an agricultural/agroforestry system with its territory. (The aim is to enhance and develop the PhD student’s relations with the territory by studying existing agricultural systems).

NAO