In this course you will learn the basic agronomic principles underlying the interlinkages between food production and agricultural production systems on the one hand, and between agricultural production systems and environmental resources on the other hand. You will learn how various crop and livestock production techniques are employed across different farming systems and how they interact with the environment. Given that the nature of these linkages also vary across space and time, the course will have an explicit temporal (dynamic and historical) and spatial focus to understand long term trends and diversity in food production and environmental impacts. Also alternative agricultural production systems to the dominant systems currently in use will be discussed, such as low input farming systems, including their potential for up-scaling and sustainability. You will also be taught the basics of GIS and how spatially explicit analysis can be utilized to better understand land use patterns and production possibilities and restrictions.

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.