LPLK10287U Agroforestry

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Agricultural Development
Erasmus Mundus - Agris Mundus
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content

Agroforestry framework, definitions and history

Agroforestry interaction with microclimate and water

Agroforestry systems, classification and technical operation

Agroforestry species (crops, trees, animals), roles and functions of different components and criteria for selection and improvement

Pest and disease control and management in agroforestry systems

Domestic animals and fodder in agroforestry systems

Productivity, nutrient cycles and energy flow in agroforestry systems

Socio-economy and development cross cutting issues, tenure, gender, poverty and adoptability

Learning Outcome

The objective of the course is to provide students an insight into the overall options, limitations and constrains pertaining to small complex production systems with a large tree component under a wide range of conditions, with particular emphasis on the tropics. The course should enable students to relate to tropical agroforestry systems under different bio-physical, socio-economic and political settings and suggest development strategies to improve outputs of the systems

By the end of the course the students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge

  • Describe positive and negative effects of trees on physical (e.g. soil, microclimate, water balance) and biological (e.g. crops, animals, and pests) factors in different systems, climates and topography.
  • List major crop and agroforestry trees and their interaction in agroforestry systems
  • List major types of pest and diseases in tropical agriculture
  • Describe how interaction may change with seasons and with growth and development of  trees
  • Describe relevant technical and management operations, which can be used to improve total yield, food security, financial security and other relevant outputs of the AF system
  • Describe the interaction between livestock and the bio-physical environment in agroforestry systems
  • Describe the principle of nutrient cycling and energy flow in small subsistence systems with a large tree component
  • Describe how political and cultural regulations may improve or discourage perennial crops in farming systems

Skills

  • Analyse and describe the synergetic, complementary and competitive relations between different species in small complex systems consisting of several crops, animals and tree species
  • Analyse the framework of biophysical conditions in the main types of tropical systems (humid lowland, dry areas and highlands tropics) and its influence and limitation on agricultural systems.
  • Explain key socio-economic constraints and limitations in relation to present conditions and adoptability of improved practices, for example under different economic, political, historical and cultural settings
  • Explain how presence of trees in general and particular species alter conditions for pest and pathogens, and how trees may aggravate or reduce pest and disease problems as compared with non-AF systems
  • Analyse quantitative and qualitative outputs of agroforestry systems in relation to investment and production cost, seasonality, market and domestic need

Competences

  • Recommend relevant agroforestry interventions to meet /cope with / overcome short and long term food problems, production constraints and / or environmental degradation

  • Predict possible implementation / adoption obstacles in relation to socioeconomic factors

  • Predict possible areas of conflicting interests in relation to various types of agroforestry interventions under different settings

It is recommended that the student possesses a basic understanding of natural resource management
Organisation of teaching
Teaching is primarily based on regular classroom sessions. Teaching material such as lecture notes, exercises and overview material will be distributed during classroom sessions and uploaded to KU e-learning system Absalon. Selected parts may be taught and discussed via e-learning.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 30
  • Exam
  • 5
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Preparation
  • 61
  • Project work
  • 40
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Written examination
Final examination
Written examination and oral examination. All aids allowed.
Description of examination: Students will be provided a written assignment, which may be done individually or in groups. The oral exam will be based on the written exam and analyse one or two key issues in a broader agroforestry development context.
Weight: The final mark will be based on a total evaluation of the two exams (50%+50%)
7-point scale, internal examiner
Exam registration requirements
Students must successfully complete at least 75% of the module activities, including a group presentation for class, in order to participate in the exam
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment
The final mark will be based on a total evaluation of the two exams (50%+50%).

7-point scale,