366701

Basic of Agricultural Systems

Second Semester 2007



Prerequisite:

Course objectives: To introduce to students the concepts of systems, systems thinking and practices which are commonly used in diverse field of studies including management science, engineering as well as ecology and learning organization. The course will extend this approach to the studies of agriculture and natural resource with emphasis on agricultural systems research and development at different hierarchical levels in order to better understand and select appropriate means of system intervention with an aim for improving productivity and sustainability of selected agricultural systems.

Course Description:

Instructor:  Attachai Jintrawet  (attachai@chiangmai.ac.th)

Class meeting:  TuF, 9:30-10:45 a.m. at MCC Meeting Room 4. 

Practicum: .

Course schedule:
 

Week
Lectures
Lab Assignments
File Attach
1
 Systems and Systems Thinking 
Systems definition 
Inquiry into systems 		    366701_1.pdf
2
 Natural Ecosystems  
Organization and structure
Agroecosystems (AE)
Organization  
Carbon and energy in AE 		     
3
 Nutrient cycling and decomposition
Growth and dynamics of population
     
4
 Niches and competition
Agro-biodiversity 		     
5
 Structure, Pattern and Processes in Agricultural Systems
Structural elements of a farm-household system  		     
6
 Spatial and temporal patterns
Resources and processes  		     
7
 Agricultural Systems Properties and Performances 
Goals and objectives
Productivity
Stability Sustainability
Equitability and other properties 		     
8
Mid-term
9
 Decision making and analysis       
10
 Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)   
Philosophy of SSM
Principles of SSM
Procedures of SSM 		     
11
 Application of SSM in Research and Development
Farming Systems Research and Development
Agro-ecosystem Analysis   		     
12
 Participatory and Action Research
Hard Systems Methodology  
Hard Systems Inquiry   		     
13
 Basic Modeling Concept      
14
 Rules for Building Systems Model
Development of a Dynamic Model 		     
15
 Application of Systems Approach in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
Crop production systems 
Sustainable agriculture and food security       
Natural resource management
Agricultural systems planning and management 
Decision support systems    		    366701_15.pdf
 
Final Exam


Recommended  Books:

                          Deaton, M.L. and J.J. Winebrake. 2000. Dynamic Modeling of Environmental                         
                                         Systems. Springer-Verlag, New York.
                          McConnell, D.J. and  J.L. Dillon. 1997. Farm Management for Asia: a systems 
                                         approach. FAO, Rome.
                          Powers, L.E. and R. McSorley. 2000. Ecological Principles of Agriculture.
                                         Delmar, New York.
                          Wilson, K. and G. Morren, Jr. 1990. Systems Approaches for Improvement in
                                         Agriculture and Resource Management, Macmillan Publishing Co.,
                                         New York

Course Evaluation:

            Mid-term 35 %; Final exam 35 %; Assignments 30 %

Internet Link : http://www.mcc.cmu.ac.th/relatedlinks/relatedlinks.html