2019-2020 / VEGE0036-1

Tropical agroecology

Introduction

Deepening

Duration

Introduction : 20h FT
Deepening : 16h Th, 21h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in agroecology (120 ECTS)6 crédits 
 Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Introduction : Guy Mergeai
Deepening : Guy Mergeai

Substitute(s)

Introduction : Barbara Haurez
Deepening : Barbara Haurez

Coordinator

Guy Mergeai

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Introduction

I. Introduction: presentation of the organization of the coruse and of the concept of agroecology
II. Illustration of the different facets of the concept of Agroecology and of agroecological practices (excursions)

Deepening

I. Illustration of the scientific basis of agroecology and their application to concrete cases related to soil fertility management
II. Personal work on the characteristics and mode of application of agroecological practices in particular contexts in tropical areas: oral presentation and delivery of a written report.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Introduction

Give students a good understanding of the different facets of the concept of agroecology and make them acquire knowledges and skills in agro-ecology to enable them to develop sustainably tropical agro-ecosystems.
At the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Define the principles of agro-ecology and discuss how they are related to the development of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Describe and present the interest of agroecological practices seen during the excursions and discuss their applicability in a tropical context.

Deepening

Make students acquire knowledges and skills in agro-ecology to enable them to develop sustainably tropical agro-ecosystems.
At the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Propose suitable agroecological solutions regarding soil fertility management for improving agricultural systems in tropical regions

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Introduction

None

Deepening

GEOP0002-1 - Edaphology
AGRO0001-1 - Agricutlure basis
ENVT2044-1 - General ecology

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Introduction

Learning activities consist of:
(i) 2 hours of face to face learning to present basic concepts;
(ii) 18 hours of excursions.

Deepening

Learning activities consist of: (i) 16 hours of face-to-face and distance learning to introduce basic concepts and case studies, (ii) 9 hours of seminars, (iii) a personal work in which each student will identify and propose the methods of applying an agroecological practice adapted to a main tropical agroecosystem. This work will be presented to all students of the class.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Introduction

Face-to-face and student work on excursions and seminars contents

Deepening

Face-to-face, webinars, seminars, and student work on a concrete practice.

Recommended or required readings

Introduction

PDF copy of the slides presented during lectures and seminars
Inaugural lecture of the Francqui Chair of Prof. Thierry Doré on 31/01/17. http://www.gembloux.ulg.ac.be/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Francqui.1.31.01.17.reduit.pdf
http://www.agroecologie.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Agroecologie_Stassart_Baret_et_al_GIRAF_version_web2_1.pdf

Deepening

PDF copy of the slides presented during lectures and seminars
 Ecosystemic services and soil ecological processes: http://www.supagro.fr/ress-pepites/uved/html/index.html
AgriSud (2010). Guide. L'agroécologie en pratique. http://www.agrisud.org/fr/type-publications/guides/
Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar : http://agroecologie.cirad.fr/librairie_virtuelle
Debray V., DerkimbaA. & Roesch. K., 2015. Des innovations agroécologiques dans un contexte climatique changeant en Afrique. Coordination Sud, AVSF, CARI & ISARA Lyon, 107 p. téléchargeable sur https://www.coordinationsud.org/document-ressource/etude-des-innovations-agroecologiques-dans-un-contexte-climatique-changeant-en-afrique/.
ScholleJ. (sous la direction de), 2015. Pratiques agroécologiques et agroforestières en zone tropicale humide. Éditions du GRET, 305 p. téléchargeable sur http://www.gret.org/publication/pratiques-agroecologiques-agroforestieres-zone-tropicale-humide/

Assessment methods and criteria

Introduction

Written exam : 100 %

Deepening

Oral and written presentations of personal work: 33 % Written exam : 33 % Oral exam: 33 %

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Introduction

Participation in excursions is mandatory

Contacts

Introduction

Mergeai, Guy (Chargé de cours) Tropical agroecology andt Horticulture 081 62 21 44 gmergeai@ulg.ac.be

Deepening

Mergeai, Guy Tropical Agroecology and Horticulture 081 62 21 44 gmergeai@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Assessment subjects

Introduction

The exam will focus on the introduction, the visits of the farms and, for the PPRN students, on the two additionnal documents provided.

Deepening

The exam will focus on the theorical lessons given by Michel Sonet and Barbara Haurez (Soil, Plant nutrition, Agroecology as a science and Direct seeding Mulch-based Cropping) and the conferences of Pierre Collière (Agroforestry) and Simon Dierickx (conservation agriculture).
The team works do not take part in the exam matter.

Assessment methods

Introduction

The evaluation will be a written exam held on the platform e-campus.

Deepening

The mean of evaluation are adapted : the oral exam and the presentation of the collectiv work are cancelled. The evaluation will consist of the written report for the collectiv work (33%) and a written exame held on e-campus (67%).

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Introduction

The exam will concern the same topics as those mentionned for the session held in June.

Deepening

The exam will concern the theoretical aspects of the cursus : soil, plant nutrition, DMC, agroecology as a science; as well as the conferences : agroforestry (P. Collière) and Conservation Agriculture (S. Dierickx).
(The introduction also makes part of the exam : conference of T. Doré, visits of the farms)

Assessment methods

Introduction

The evaluation will be a written exam, to be downloaded on e-Campus

Deepening

The exam will be a written evaluation based on theory and reflexion questions. The written exam will be submitted through e-Campus.

Contacts