Sutrofor, European Erasmus Mundus Course in Sustainable Tropical Forestry

Course objectives: The aim is to introduce students to the Agroforestry concept and enhance their understanding of the potential by using Agroforestry for rural development in the tropical environment. The course, thus, targets a description of various Agroforestry systems with their strengths and weak-nesses, their use in different agro-ecological regions and in various social contexts, and their spe-cial features concerning productivity, sustainability and adoptability.

Course content: Agroforestry definition and history. Agroforestry systems. Agroforestry species, the MPT con-cept, criteria for species selection. Biophysical factors, agro-ecological zones, climate, soil and water. Socio-economic factors, infrastructure, tenure, gender, knowledge, tradition. Productivity in Agroforestry systems, yield in crops and trees, subsistence economy and marketability. Interac-tions in Agroforestry systems, synergy and competition among species, interplay between species and soil, choice of species for various purposes, land protection and soil improvement. The future of Agroforestry, research on design, adoptability, sustainability, productivity, land use for poverty alleviation.

Teaching and learning methods: Teaching is primarily based on distance learning (e-learning) but regular class-room sessions will be offered. The agenda for these sessions are decided through web-based communication between participants and the teacher.

Examination: Students will be provided two written assignments to be completed during the course. Assignments will be distributed electronically and must be submitted electronically. The two assignments have equal weight. Internal examiner.

Competences acquired: Knowledge of the possibilities for designing systems composed of trees, crops and/or domestic animals, and the benefits thus obtained in production of goods and services. Under-standing the synergetic and competitive relationships that arise in systems of different species composition. Knowledge of the interplay between climate, soil and species. Understanding of how to analyse the possibilities for using different systems composed of different species aiming at conclude on the choice of systems for various geographic regions. Knowledge of the kind and size of yields obtainable in different systems, and the related production costs. Insight into the methods applicable to the development of local use systems. Knowledge of how social/cultural aspects in-fluence the adoptability of systems. Understanding the principles of rural development and poverty alleviation.

Course homepage: www.kursus.kvl.dk/af/