Organic Agriculture

Code: FIT14053L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Agronomy

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

2. Erradicar a fome - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

3. Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

12. Produção e consumo sustentáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

13. Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

15. Proteger a vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

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.

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.

Assessment

I. Continuous Assessment System: This scheme consists of two tests. Each test accounts for 50% of the final grade. The minimum passing grade for each test is 8.0 (on a 0?20 scale). To pass the course unit, the final grade must be equal to or higher than 10.
II. Final Examination Scheme: This scheme consists of a final exam. Students who do not opt for continuous assessment, as well as those who choose to withdraw from continuous assessment after receiving the result of the first mid-term test, may take the regular final exam. To pass the course unit, the exam grade must be equal to or higher than 10 (on a 0?20 scale).
III. Resit Examination: Students who do not achieve a passing grade during the regular examination period, those wishing to improve their grade, or those who have exceeded the limit of unjustified absences, may be assessed in the resit examination period. To pass the course unit, the exam grade must be equal to or higher than 10 (on a 0?20 scale).