Projects in Organic Production

Base Knowledge

General Agriculture and Agrometeorology; Agricultural Machinery; Soils and Fertilization; Phytotechnology; Enemies of Cultures; Irrigation and Drainage Techniques.

Teaching Methodologies

The theoretical-practical classes will be based on the exposition and discussion of the contents of the program and on the resolution of practical cases. Emphasis will be placed on the implementation of an organic farming project of a real company or a plan to convert it to organic farming, resulting from research work carried out over the semester on the holding concerned. It will be tried to promote a process of dialogue in which everyone participates, through their own experience and to know as well as of their cases of study. The tutorial guidelines will be used to support the construction of a biological agriculture project, made by groups of 3 students in their working hours (contact and others), which will be subject to analysis and discussion by the students in the class.

Learning Results

1. Identify and evaluate the potentialities and bottlenecks of a farm for its conversion to Organic Production.
2. Design a conversion project of a conventional agricultural company for Organic Production with a view to its control and certification.
3. Evaluate technically, investment proposals.

Program

1. Presentation of public policies to support the conversion of conventional farms to organic production.
2. Applicable legislation.
3. Control and certification process.
4. Planning and technical management of the holding,
5. Methodologies for the characterization of soil and climate, socio-economic and the potential of the region where a company is inserted.
6. Identification of the main activities and techniques implemented in conventional way.
7. Identification of activities and techniques to be developed in Organic Production Mode.
8. Technical planning of an agricultural enterprise in Organic Production Mode.
9. Elaboration of a project of conversion and optimization of the exploration.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

CARVALHO S. (2018) – Agricultura tradicional. Guia Prático. 2ª Edição. Edições Colibri.

COSTA C.A. (Coord.), CORREIA H.E., CORREIA P., COSTA D., GAIÃO D., GUINÉ R., COELHO C., COSTA, J.M., MONTEIRO A., OLIVEIRA J., PINTO A., RODRIGUES P., CASTRO M., GUERRA L.T., SEEDS C., COLL C., MACDONALD J., RADICS L., SOYLU S., ARSLAN M., TÓTHOVÁ M., TÓTH P., BASILE S. (2016) – Organic Farming e-book. EOSA/IPV, Vigo.

FERREIRA, J., SRECHT, A., RIBEIRO, J., SOEIRO, A. eCOTRIM, G. (2002) – Manual de Agricultura Biológica. Fertilização e protecção das plantas para uma agricultura sustentável. AGROBIO, 3ª Edição.

HANSEN, A. (2010) The Organic Farming Manual. Ed. Storey MA 01247, EUA.

NEWTON, J. (2004) -Profitable Organic Farming. 2ª Edição Blackwell Science UK.

OVELHEIRO, M. (2005) – Estudo de Casos de Boas Práticas de Gestão de Explorações Agrícolas. SPI.

ROLDÃO, V. (2005) – Gestão de Projectos: Abordagem Instumental ao Planeamento, Organização e Controlo. Lisboa: Monitor.

SERRANO, J. (2003) – Agricultura Ecológica. Manual y Guía Didáctica. IRMA.

TRIGUEIRO, J.J., ABREU, J.M., SILVA, D. (2005). – Conceitos e Práticas em Modernas Explorações Agrícolas. SPI.

URBANO TÉRRON, P. (2002) – Fitotecnia. Madrid: Ediciones Mundi-Prensa.