IARD 4140

Tropical Cropping Systems: Biodiversity, Social, and Environmental Impacts

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

This course is divided into 4 sections. The first part looks at characterization of natural, physical and social resources including climate, water, soil and socio-economic factors and their importance in determining different farming systems. The second part looks at the various crops and livestock found in tropical cropping systems and discusses various systems including traditional shifting cultivation; dryland systems; lowland rice-based systems; smallholder mixed farming including root crops and livestock; plantation fruit and oil crop systems; and agroforestry. The third section looks at the constraints to production, profitability, sustainability of farming systems and impacts on livelihoods. The fourth looks at the effect of various externalities like GCC, fossil fuel, migration, population etc. on future trends in production, profitability, livelihoods and sustainability. In addition to species diversity and domestication, factors such as climate, land quality, soil management, land tenure, labor, and markets are considered. Evaluates the impact of tropical cropping systems on the environment and looks at the sustainability of these systems.

When Offered Fall.

Comments Interest in agriculture and tropical cropping systems.

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