2024
Organic Agriculture
Name: Organic Agriculture
Code: FIT14053L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Agronomy
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The main objective of this UC is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the development of the value chain of organic products.
At the end of this course, students should acquire knowledge, skills and competences in terms of:
-know how to manage nutrients in order to improve and conserve soil fertility;
-know how to implement the agricultural practices necessary for the success of organic farming;
-know the importance of conservation and transformation of organic products as a way to guarantee quality throughout the food chain;
-know the processes necessary for the certification of an organic product;
-self-learning by critical reading of scientific information.
At the end of this course, students should acquire knowledge, skills and competences in terms of:
-know how to manage nutrients in order to improve and conserve soil fertility;
-know how to implement the agricultural practices necessary for the success of organic farming;
-know the importance of conservation and transformation of organic products as a way to guarantee quality throughout the food chain;
-know the processes necessary for the certification of an organic product;
-self-learning by critical reading of scientific information.
Contents
Concept and history of Organic Agriculture. Organic Agriculture environmental sustainability and food safety. Main indicators of Organic Agriculture evolution in the World, Europe and Portugal. Factors affecting the development of Organic Agriculture. Soil fertility management, Making and using compost for organic agriculture, Fertilizers and fertilization. Success stories of biological control. Bio pesticides. Pests and diseases control. Seeds and plant material. Installation of cultures and cultural practices. Irrigation. Organic products. The harvest operation. Post-harvest and packaging technologies. Legislation, European and national regulations and requirements. Marketing of organic products.
Teaching Methods
The teaching methodology includes a set of theoretical classes necessary to expose the subject and to discuss with students in order to facilitate more active and cooperative learning. In the theoretical-practical classes, in addition to the fundamental theoretical concepts, students are offered application exercises. In the seminars, more in-depth knowledge related to specific subjects is transmitted, with an emphasis on different organic products. It is intended to develop a teaching that encourages reflection and that values processes of a cognitive and interpersonal nature, defending the acquisition of concepts through a research process. Hours are foreseen for tutorial guidance. The continuous assessment of knowledge is carried out as follows:
-Group assignment (30% of the final grade)
-Two written assessments (35% + 35% of the final grade) or final exam (70% of the final grade)
-Group assignment (30% of the final grade)
-Two written assessments (35% + 35% of the final grade) or final exam (70% of the final grade)
Certificações
