International Cooperation and Crop-Livestock Systems
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Aim of the course is to provide the agronomists who intend to work in the field of the international cooperation, with the analysis factors of the agro-feeding systems in the developing countries. Firstly, the present agricultural and livestock productive structures in the different geographic, ecological and climatic areas of the world are described. Secondly, a review of the concepts and principles related to feed security and feed safety are also presented and discussed, liaising with the dynamics of the domestic and international markets. Both the rural and the peri-urban areas are considered in this survey. By a systemic approach some important food chains are analysed, with a particular reference to the use of sustainable productive factors and to the set-up of farm systems for the agricultural and livestock productions. Starting from case studies, a methodology is proposed to plan development projects in crop and animal production, to implement and to monitor them in view of an economic and environmental sustainability. The present issues dealing with the food and environment crises, with the North/South imbalance, and with the tools of the international cooperation, are presented and discussed also with the contribute of some outside experts.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course and when the final examination will be
positively passed, the student will have gained knowledge and
expertise on the different crop and livestock husbandry systems
and technologies in the world, with the critical points and the
assets of each system. He/she will have also learnt how to plan,
implement and monitor a development project on agriculture and
animal production social friendly and economically and
environmentally sustainable.
positively passed, the student will have gained knowledge and
expertise on the different crop and livestock husbandry systems
and technologies in the world, with the critical points and the
assets of each system. He/she will have also learnt how to plan,
implement and monitor a development project on agriculture and
animal production social friendly and economically and
environmentally sustainable.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
World demographic growth, undernutrition and malnutrition, social and economic imbalances, evolution, trends and forecasts in food consumption, particularly food of animal origin, in the Planet. Gap between income and population density. Food excess and shortage in the world. Soil use for crop and animal production in the different areas of the world: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems. Assets and limits of pasture. The need for arable land to produce feeds: consequences of deforestation. The different crop and livestock systems in the world. Erosion, desertification and the grazing systems. The "mixed" systems. Landless farms and animal rearing systems: social and environmental aspects. Intensive animal husbandry: damage, opulence or opportunity? The main cropping systems: cereals, pulses, tubers. The "cash" crops (coffee, tea, cotton, cocoa, ). Agro-techniques and innovation in agriculture. Sustainability: social, economic, environmental? Land grabbing in the developing countries (DC). Carbon and water footprint of the different commodities and foods of animal origin. Food of animal origin in the DC: luxury or right? Animal husbandry for self-consumption and for the market. Assets and limits of the exported technologies from the industrialized countries. Assets and limits of globalization. Food security, food safety and environmental sustainability of the different livestock systems. Food sovereignty. Looming crises: food, water, soil, biodiversity erosion. From the Green Revolution up today. The role of the International Cooperation. The non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Planning of development projects: from the analysis of the needs to the description of the project, its implementation and subsequent monitoring. Agricultural/livestock development projects: case studies examples. The importance of the local extension service and of the active and responsible involvement of the counterpart and of the beneficiaries. Microcredit, a tool, not a goal. Dairy and meat production systems and chains in different situations: the pastoral nomadism, the "minor" species farms and the monogastrics (pigs, broilers, laying hens) production units.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the English language at leat at level B1.
Teaching methods
Each lesson will include a classical presentation of a topic by slides, and a plenary discussion of a case study or a report/paper or videos on a given subject sent to the students in the previous week.
Teaching Resources
The slides presented on the different topics, the reports, papers, documents and the links to the videos shared and discussed during the course are available in Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
An oral examination in English will take place at the end of the course, on the topics presented and discussed during the course. The student can present a research on a topic dealing with the subjects presented. An evaluation of the motivation/interest of the students and their preparation and skill on the topics will be taken at each lesson, during the discussion of case studies. The knowledge of English and the ability to talk in English will not be considered in the evaluation.
AGR/18 - ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDING - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Crovetto Gianni Matteo
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, sez. Zootecnia