AP301 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

DESCRIPTION

This unit provides students with the foundations of sustainable agriculture from the three perspectives of social, economic  and environmental. The roles of agriculture and food in the context of societal development will be critiqued. Issues that  will be discussed include traditional agriculture leading on to the modernization of agriculture to the development of  agricultural biodiversity, initiatives to promote socially just and environmentally responsible forms of agriculture, and  challenges facing efforts to promote sustainability. The unit draws attention on the balance of production between agricultural systems and food security through case examples of the impacts on the Australian and global agriculture  caused by national and international changes.

RELEVANT COURSES

Bachelor of Agribusiness*

*Core unit

CREDIT POINTS

10

DELIVERY MODE

On campus

PREREQUISITE OR CO-REQUISITE

AP201 Agriculture Production systems and Farm Management

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

LO1 Evaluate the relationship between agricultural activities and security issues in Australia and in a global environment

LO2 Critically evaluate the theoretical, conceptual, and practical issues relating to risks both to agricultural and food systems

LO3 Analyse the agricultural and food security issues in terms of the triple bottom line concept – social, economic and environmental sustainability

LO4 Recognise national and international market opportunities in agribusiness emerging through the adoption of sustainable practice

CONTENT

  • Introduction to Current Food System and Course Overview
  • Concept of Sustainable Agriculture – social, economic and environmental  sustainability
  • Rationale for Supporting Sustainable Food Systems & Challenges Faced
  • Agriculture, Climate Change Adaptation & Food Security
  • Global Perspective on Food Supply & Food Security Policy
  • Strategic Business Planning for Sustainability – in Agricultural Industries
  • Risk Management and Food Policy
  • Agro-diversity, Product Differentiations & GMOs
  • Contending Perspective – European Union Agriculture
  • Food Security in Australia – Imperative & Challenges
  • Global Issues – changes in trends, challenges, solutions
  • Supporting Sustainable Future

ASSESSMENT METHODS

  1. Online Quizzes – 20%
  2. Assessment – 30%
  3. Written Assessment – 50%

PRESCRIBED READINGS

Nil

Check with the lecturer each semester before purchasing any textbooks