Mid-West University, Birendranagar, Surkhet
School of Agriculture and Forestry
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Ag.) Program
Curriculum
Macro and Micro Level Course Syllabus of Agro-ecology and Climate Change
Course Code: OAG419 | Course Title: Agro-ecology and Climate Change |
Credit Hours: 1 (1+1) | Full Marks: 50 |
Theory: 25 marks | Practical: 25 Marks |
Broad Objective:
Upon the completion of this course, the students will be able to understand and analyze the agro-ecology and climate change concepts and relevant status in different context.
Specific Objectives:
Upon the completion of this course, the students will be able:
1. To understand and apply the concept of agro-ecology in Nepalese agriculture and biodiversity.
2. To analyze and apply the concept of global climate change for climate change adaptation and mitigation in relation to Nepalese agriculture in general and Karnali's climate, agriculture and biodiversity in particular.
3. To develop management strategies for sustainable and resilient Nepalese agriculture and conservation of biodiversity at different scales.
I. SYLLABUS
Introduction to agro-ecology; Farmhouse ecology and ecological principles and agro-ecosystem dynamics; Environmental impacts on agriculture; Climate change; Biodiversity, Conservation, Conservation Agriculture and management strategies; Sustainability of Agro-ecosystem; Agro-ecology and climate change status; Agro-ecosystem and climate of Karnali province.
II. THEORY
S.N. | categories | Macro streams | Micro streams ( Lecture Topic) | Lecture hours | Origin of course |
A. | Global |
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1 |
| Introduction to agro-ecology | 1.1 Definition, elements, importance, scope and history of agro-ecology | 1 | Global |
| | | 1.2 Principles of agro-ecology | 1 | Global |
2 | | Farmhouse ecology and ecological principles and agro-ecosystem dynamics | 2.1 Understanding and analysis of agro-ecological components of farmhouse / home gardens | 1 | Global |
| | | 4.2 Component agro-ecosystem, their linkages, Energy flow, ecological pyramids, food chains, food webs and trophic level | 1 | Global |
3 | | Environmental impacts on agriculture | 3.1 Ecological degradation due to chemical agriculture, deforestation and soil erosion | 1 | Global |
| | | 3.2 Declining soil fertility, soil productivity and farm profitability and reduction in biodiversity | 1 | Global |
| | | 3.3 Food quality degradation, water bodies contamination, Bio-magnification and health hazard | 1 | Global |
4 | | Climate change | 4.1 Trend of climate change , Greenhouse gas, effect, global warming and climate change, Source and sink of greenhouse gases | 1 | Global |
| | | 4.2 Impacts of climate change on agriculture and biodiversity, ocean and household
| 1 | Global |
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| planning Adaptation, mitigation and preparedness |
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5 | | Biodiversity, Conservation, Conservation Agriculture and management strategies | 5.1 Biodiversity Conservation and management strategies | 1 | Global |
| | | 5.2 Conservation agriculture (CA) and principles of CA and Organic farming, Ecological aspects of CA and Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) | 1 | Global |
6 | | Sustainability of Agro-ecosystem | 6.1 Definition, advantage and limitation for sustainable agriculture, As a Properties for Agro-ecosystem Assessment: Productivity, stability, equitability, sustainability and autonomy | 1 | Global |
| | | 6.2 Challenges, strategies and requirement of sustainable agriculture | 1 | Global |
| National |
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7 |
| Agro-ecology and climate change status | 7.1 Agro-ecological zones of Nepal, Types of climates based on geography of Nepal, status of biodiversity in Nepal and climate smart technologies adopted in Nepal. | 1 | National |
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| 7.2 Organization involved in climate change mitigation strategies and different government policies
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| Local |
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8 |
| Agro-ecosystem and climate of Karnali province | 8.1 Indigenous crops and livestock found in Karnali province | 1 | Local |
| | | 8.2 Various types of crops and livestock found in different agro-ecological regions of Karnali province | 1 | |
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| 16 |
|
III. PRACTICALS:
S.N. | Macro streams | Micro streams ( Lecture Topic) | Lecture hours | Origin of course |
1 | | Review and analyze the properties (Productivity, Stability, Sustainability, Equitability and Autonomy) of different Agro-ecosystem | 2 | Global |
2 | | Different pest management strategies in crop field | 1 | Global |
3 | | Study of indicators of sustainable agriculture | 1 | Global |
4 | | SWOT analysis of farm for sustainable agriculture | 1 | Global |
5 | | Demonstration of SALT model | 1 | Global |
6 | | Study of greenhouse | 1 | Global |
7 | | Study of farm house and home garden | 1 | Global |
8 | | Study the different practices of Conservation Agriculture in Nepal | 1 | National |
9 | | Visit to the various organic farm of Nepal | 2 | National |
10 | | Different climate change adaptation procedure in Karnali province | 2 | local |
11 | | Study of insect diversity in crop field | 1 | Local |
12 | | Study of Agro-biodiversity in nearby farm | 2 | Local |
| | | 16 | |
REFERENCES:
· Shimpei Murakami 1991. Lessons from Nature: A guide to Ecological Agriculture in the tropics. 2nd edition. Papyrus publication, Bangkok, Thailand.
· Altiere, M.A. 1987. The Scientific basis of alternative agriculture, Berkley, Division of biological control university of California.
· Fukuoka, M. 1985. The natural way of farming principles and practices, Tokyo, Japan publication, Inc.
· Mollison, B.1988. Permaculture: A designer’s manual Tagani publication Tyalgum Australia.
· Conway G. R. 1986. Agro-ecosystem Analysis for Research and Development. Bangkok Winrock International Institute for Agriculture Development.
· Marten, Gerald G. 1988. Productivity, Stability, Sustainability, Equitability and Autonomy as Properties for Agro-ecosystem Assessment, Agricultural Systems 26 (1988) Elsevier 'Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England, 1988. Printed in Great Britain, 291-316.
S.N. | Items | Percentage | Remarks |
1 | Global | 65.62% |
|
2 | National | 12.5% |
|
3 | Local | 21.88 % |
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