Sustainable Future Agriculture Systems

Abstract

This subject will lead students to consider the diversity of agricultural systems from the perspective of sustainability. Starting from the differing facets of sustainability (ecological, economic, social, etc) this subject will lead students to evaluate future agricultural systems. Content will extend from the analysis of individual systems such as regenerative, organic and urban agriculture to controlled environment agriculture, intensive livestock production and sustainable intensification. The fundamental factors that drive productivity and sustainability will also be considered. Those include the reliance on non-renewable resources, circular economy principles, the role of biodiversity and the ecosystem services it can provide, the debate between ‘land sharing’ and ‘land sparing’, and concepts such as ‘one health’ that stress the interconnectedness of biological phenomena and outcomes for humanity.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: the complexity of agricultural sustainability and identify current agricultural practices that lead to unsustainable outcomes;a range of contrasting agricultural systems that may increase sustainability including but not limited to; organic agriculture, regenerative agriculture, urban agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, intensive livestock production and sustainable … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

the complexity of agricultural sustainability and identify current agricultural practices that lead to unsustainable outcomes;
a range of contrasting agricultural systems that may increase sustainability including but not limited to; organic agriculture, regenerative agriculture, urban agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, intensive livestock production and sustainable intensification; and
appropriate research and measurement approaches that allow quantitative monitoring of sustainability indices.

Assessment items

1. Analysis of the sustainability of a (relatively) familiar agricultural system

2. Evidence based critique of a promoted sustainable agricultural practice for sustainability

3. Redesign of a less familiar agricultural system utilising sustainable principles

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to analyse the driving forces that necessitate actions to enhance agricultural sustainability;

be able to synthesise evidence from a range of appropriate sources to assess the sustainability of an agricultural system using a range of criteria;

be able to propose changes to an agricultural system that will enhance aspects of its sustainability;

be able to select appropriate research and measurement approaches that allow quantitative monitoring of sustainability indices; and

be able to critically evaluate public domain documents (including policy, academic, social media items) to identify aspects of partiality, dogma, commercial interest and scientific evidence.

Enrolment restrictions

Master of Agricultural Science (with specialisations)

Master of Agriculture (with specialisations) Articulated Set

Graduate Certificate in Agriculture

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture

Graduate Diploma in Agriculture

Graduate Diploma in Agriculture (Agricultural Business Management)