AGS701 (Basics of Agricultural Systems)
First Semester 2004
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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.
Class meeting: T, 9:30-10:45 a.m. at MCC Meeting Room 4.
Instructor: Methi Ekasingh (methi@chiangmai.ac.th)
Course Outlines:
I. General Systems Theory
Week 1. Systems and Systems Thinking (Wilson, Ch.2, & 3)
Systems definition
Inquiry into systems
II. Agriculture as a “System”
Week 2. Natural Ecosystems (Handouts)
Organization and structure
Agroecosystems (AE)
Organization (Powers, Ch.1)
Carbon and energy in AE (Powers, Ch.2)
Week 3 Nutrient cycling and decomposition (Powers, Ch. 4)
Growth and dynamics of population (Powers, Ch. 6)
Niches and competition (Powers, Ch. 7)
Agro-biodiversity (Powers, Ch. 12)
Week 4 Structure, Pattern and Processes in Agricultural Systems
Structural elements of a (McConnell, Ch. 1,
farm-household system 2, 3)
Week 5 Spatial and temporal patterns (McConnell, Ch.4)
Resources and processes (McConnell, Ch.5)
Week 6 Decision making and analysis (Handouts)
Week 7 Agricultural Systems Properties and Performances
Goals and objectives
Productivity (McConnell, Ch. 6)
Stability Sustainability (Handouts)
Equitability and other properties (Handouts)
Week 8 Mid-term (Tuesday August 3, 2004, 0930-1100)
III. Systems Methodology
Week 9 Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) (Wilson, Ch. 4-8)
Philosophy of SSM
Principles of SSM
Procedures of SSM
Week 10 Application of SSM in Research and Development (Handouts)
Farming Systems Research and Development
Agro-ecosystem Analysis
Week 11 Participatory and Action Research (Handouts)
Hard Systems Methodology
Hard Systems Inquiry (Handouts)
Week 12 Basic Modeling Concept (Deaton, Chapter 1&2)
Week 13 Rules for Building Systems Model (Deaton, Chapter2)
Development of a Dynamic Model (Hand outs)
Week 14 Agricultural systems modeling and simulation (Handouts)
IV. Application
Week 15 Application of Systems Approach in Agriculture and Natural
Resources Management
Sustainable agriculture and food security (Handouts)
Natural resource management (Handouts)
Agricultural systems planning and management (Handouts)
Decision support systems (Handouts)
Final Exam (October 2, 2004: 0800-1100)
Course Evaluation: Mid-term 35 %; Final exam 35 %; Assignments 30 %
| Assignments 1 | Assignments 6 | |
| Assignments 2 | Assignments 7 | |
| Assignments 3 | Assignments 8 | |
| Assignments 4 | Assignments 9 | |
| Assignments 5 |
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
Agricultural Systems Resources
