Course Description

This MOOC explores the global agro-productive system and the projection of the human population. It addresses the 21st-century challenge defined by Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug: to balance the growing basic human needs for food and other resources while conserving the necessary resources to meet these demands in the future. The strategies range from increasing cultivable land to enhancing yield through various technologies while fostering sustainable practices like no-tillage, soil carbon management, and efficient water use.

What Students Will Learn

Students will be introduced to a holistic agricultural system known as the no-tillage system. The course covers the importance of production strategies to meet global demand for carbohydrates and proteins, management of soil system without disturbance, enhancing carbon retention, strategic water management, and crop nutrition. Moreover, it includes an exploration of the role of biotechnology in overcoming physical constraints and enhancing crop nutritional value, towards certifiable sustainable agriculture.

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

None specifically required, making this course accessible to anyone interested in agricultural sustainability.

Course Coverage

• Global agri-productive systems and population dynamics
• Principles of no-tillage system and its historical context
• Strategies for carbon management and soil conservation
• Water management in agriculture without irrigation and crop rotation
• The role of biotechnology in sustainable agriculture
• Certified sustainable agricultural programs

Who This Course is For

This course is suited for individuals interested in sustainable farming practices, agricultural students, farmers seeking sustainable methods, and environmentalists looking to understand agricultural impacts on ecosystems.

Real-World Application

Learners can apply these sustainable agricultural practices to implement more efficient and environmentally friendly farming techniques. Skills such as carbon management and efficient water use contribute to broader goals of sustainability and conservation essential for future farming and ecological health.

Course Syllabus

• Module 1: Global Agricultural Systems
• Module 2: No-Tillage System - Historical Context and Certified Agriculture
• Module 3: No-Tillage System - Sustainability Focus
• Module 4: No-Tillage System - Crop Environment
• Module 5: No-Tillage System - Biotechnology Integration
• Module 6: No-Tillage System - Certified Sustainable Agriculture Program