Short Learning Programmes
Course in The Application of Climate-Smart Agriculture as a Sustainable Agricultural Practice (77098)
Course in The Application of Climate-Smart Agriculture as a Sustainable Agricultural Practice (77098)
Duration: Six months
Language medium: English
Target group:
People who want to train or learn of new ways to farm sustainability under climate change regimes.
Admission requirements:
NQF 4 (matric)
Registration periods:
June/July and January/February
Course leader details:
Dr. M.E Malobane
PhD. Agriculture
Agriculture and Animal Health
Soil science and Crop production
Calabash building
Office no: 3:061
malobme@unisa.ac.za
Programme administrator:
Admin Officer
Unisa Centre for Lifelong Learning
360 Lillian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central
Solomon Mahlangu Building 2nd floor
Tel: 012 352 4288
Email address: UCL@unisa.ac.za
Application Link: www.unisa.ac.za/applyslp
Purpose statement:
Students credited with this module will understand how climate-smart agriculture (CSA) differs from mainstream agriculture in farming activities and why it is important to adopt CSA under the current climate change regimes. They will also understand the different practices used in CSA; discuss the ways to conserve soil and water as natural resources, enhance crop and livestock production at minimal negative impact to the environment, minimise greenhouse gas emissions in crop and livestock production systems, integrated pest control, integrated fertilizer management, waste management crop and livestock adaptations, and negative identity impacts of mainstream agriculture on the environment. Understand the concept of remote sensing tools and their need during climate change regimes. Students will also be able to monitor their crop farms using acquired knowledge and Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform.
Modules:
CCSCP1A - Introduction to climate-smart crop production
Content:
Explain the effect of climate-smart agriculture and its potential in crop production
describe the various negative impact of mainstream agriculture in crop production.
describe the importance of CSA and how it can help to offset the negative impact of mainstream agriculture in crop production.
explain CSA strategies that conserve soil and water as natural resources in crop production systems.
outline CSA strategies that minimise greenhouse gas emissions in the crop production system.
explain the role of CSA in integrated pest control in the crop production system.
explain the role of CSA in integrated fertilizer management in the crop production system.
describe ways to enhance crop adaptability to climate change as a CSA technique.
CCSCP2B - Introduction to climate-smart livestock production system.
Content:
Explain the effect of climate-smart livestock and its benefits for livestock production
describe the importance of livestock production in food security.
describe the various negative impact of mainstream livestock production on the environment.
explain CSL ways to adapt livestock production to climate change.
outline CSL ways to mitigate climate change during livestock production.
explain CSL techniques for feed management.
explain animal breeding and rumen manipulation as CSL techniques.
describe CSL techniques ways to generate clean energy.
CCSCP3C - The Use of Remote Sensing in Climate Smart Agriculture Practices
Content:
Explain the basics of remote sensing, 4IR, and their applications
Application of remote sensing in agriculture
Explain the impact of climate change on agriculture
Explain smart agriculture as a response or mitigation strategy to climate change impacts
Highlight the benefit of climate smart agriculture in combatting the effect of climate change
Outline the use of remote sensors in climate smart agriculture
Use Google Earth Engine tools to monitor area of your interest and inteprete the results