About Course
Welcome to the introductory course on agroecology (AE). This course will introduce you to agroecology’s paradigm-shifting approach to food systems analysis, focusing on its key principles and practices. You will explore how agroecology challenges conventional agricultural methods and promotes a sustainable transformation of the food system. The course also emphasizes the importance of creating a socio-political movement to support these changes. We will review and critique conventional agricultural systems, highlighting their limitations and environmental impact throughout the course. Agroecology offers a holistic perspective on food systems, addressing ecological, social, and economic aspects. The principles of agroecology will be explored in-depth, with practical strategies for implementing sustainable farming practices. By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to apply agroecological principles in various contexts, from personal to global levels. Furthermore, the course is divided into five sections and twelve lessons, which can be completed at your own pace. This flexibility allows you to engage with the material on your schedule. After each lesson, you’ll access activities, readings, and self-assessments to deepen your understanding of the subject. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. The course is fully online, hosted on the RTFI website, and delivered through a learning management system. It combines both synchronous and asynchronous multimedia, including Zoom, Google Classroom, PowerPoint, PDFs, and YouTube videos, to enhance the learning experience. If conditions allow, we may also offer a blended version of the course, combining online and face-to-face components. This course offers a unique opportunity to understand agroecology, rethink food systems, and explore transformative strategies for agroecological change, both locally and globally.
What Will You Learn?
- The challenges facing conventional agriculture
- Agroecology as a holistic and integrated science
- Agroecology as a set of principles and practices
- Agroecology as a socio-political movement, and
- Strategies for transitioning to agroecological food systems
Course Content
Course Outline
Section 1: Introduction to Agroecology
By the end of this lesson, participants should be able to;
Define agroecology
Understand the evolution of agroecology
Identify the principles of agroecology
Recognize and demystify common myths about agroecology
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Definition of Agroecology
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Evolution of Agroecology
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Principles of Agroecology
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Difference Between Industrial Agriculture and Agroecology
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Why Agroecology?
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Agroecology Attempts to Address Key Lock-ins of Conventional Agriculture
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Some Myths on Agroecology
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Learning Activity
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Further Reading
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Quiz: Introduction to Agroecology
Section 2: Introduction to Systems Thinking
By the end of this lesson, participants should be able to;
Explain the concept of sustainable development (SD)
Understand and apply systems thinking to agriculture and food systems
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Agroecology as a Science
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Sustainable Development
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Sustainability
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDGs and Agroecology
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Sustainability’s “Wicked Problems”
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Typology of Problem Situations
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Systems Thinking
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Types of System Relationships
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Significances of System Thinking
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Systems Thinking and Food Systems
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Food Systems
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Food Systems Approach
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Types of Food Systems
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Sustainable Food Systems
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Nexus Thinking
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Learning Activity
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References/Further Readings
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Introduction to Systems Thinking
Section 3: Agroecosystems
By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to;
Understand agroecosystems as part of a broader food system
Explain the role of biodiversity and ecosystems in agroecosystems
Appraise food systems as integrated agri-eco-food-health systems
“Agricultural sustainability doesn't depend on agritechnology. To believe it does is to put the emphasis on the wrong bit of 'agriculture.' What sustainability depends on isn't agri- so much as culture.” - RAJ PATEL
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Agroecosystems
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Biodiversity
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International frameworks for management of biodiversity
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The Aichi Targets
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Agrobiodiversity
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Belowground Biodiversity
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Features of Agrobiodiversity
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Role of Agrobiodiversity
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Ecosystems
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Ecosystem Services
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Global Declination of Biodiversity
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The Food System as an Eco-agri-food-health System
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References/Further Readings
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Teaching and Learning Activity
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Agroecosystems
Section 4: Food and Nutrition Security
By the end of this lesson, participants should be able to;
Explain the definition and dimensions of food security
Identify relevant international conventions, treaties, and declarations on the right to food
Understand key enablers of food security
Appraise Kenya’s governance of food and nutrition security (FNS)
“To address our current food system problems, I propose a series of local, regional, national and global conversations - starting around the dinner table - to rethink the food we produce, buy and eat” - ELLEN GUSTAFSON
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Food Security Definition
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The Right to Food
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Right to Food in Kenya
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Key Enablers of Food Security
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States Obligations on Right to Food
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References/Further Reading
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Teaching & Learning Activity
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Food and Nutrition Security
Section 5: Agroecological Practices
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Organic Farming
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Organic Production Systems
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Principles of Organic Agriculture
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Types of Organic Farming
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Conversion to Organic Agriculture
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Advantages and Challenges of Conversion to Organic Framing
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Permaculture
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Permaculture as a Network
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Principles of Permaculture
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Assumptions of Permaculture
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Impediments to the Spread of Permaculture
Section 6 : Conservation Agriculture and Agroforestry
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Conservation Agriculture (CA)
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Global Adoption of CA
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Benefits of CA
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CA Equipment and Machinery
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Challenges to the Adoption of CA
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Agroforestry (TREES AND AgriCULTURE)
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Basic Principles of Agroforestry
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Types of Agroforestry
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Agrosilvopastoral Systems
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Interactions in Agroforestry systems
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Benefits of Agroforestry
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Advantages and Challenges of Agroforestry
Section 7: Soil and Water Conservation Practices
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Principle of the Living Soil
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Integrated Soil Fertility Management
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Ways through which soil loses nutrients in the farm
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Ecosystem Services of Soil
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Soil Fertility Improvement Strategies
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ISFM Strategies (1)
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ISFM Strategies (2)
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Water Conservation
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Water Management Strategies
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In situ water harvesting and conservation (green water)
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Agronomic conservation measures
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Pollination and water use
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Soil and Water Conservation Practices
Section 8: Weed Management, Pest and Disease Control
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Introduction
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Agroecological Pest and Disease Control
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Natural pest control practices
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
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Challenges to adoption of agroecological pest and disease control practices
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Categories of IPM Approaches
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Agroecological Weed Management
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Methods and tools for Ecological Weed Management
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Challenges to adoption of ecological weed management
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Teaching and Learning Activity
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Weed, Pest, And Disease Management
Section 9: Introduction to Political Ecology/ Economy
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Agroecology as a movement : Introduction
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What is power?
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Political Ecology
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Political Economy Analysis (PEA)
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Political Dimension of Agroecology
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Growing the Agroecological Movement
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Criticism of industrial agriculture
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Teaching and Learning Activity
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References
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Introduction to Political Ecology/ Economy: Self Assessment
Section 10: Political Ecology of Modern Agriculture
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Introduction
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Neoliberal Capitalism
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Neoliberalisation of Agriculture
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1. Agro-extractivism
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2. Corporate capture of Agriculture
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3. Land Grabbing
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Summary
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Teaching and Learning Activity
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Political Ecology of Modern Agriculture: Self Assessment
Section 11: Food and Seed Sovereignty
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Food Sovereignty
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Evolution and Critique of Neoliberalism
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Principles of Food Sovereignty: The Nyéléni Declaration
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Pillars of Food Sovereignty
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Food Sovereignty vs. Food Security
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Axes of Action: Implementing Food Sovereignty
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Proposed Global Reforms to Implement Food Sovereignty
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Seed Sovereignty
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Seed Corporations, GMOs, and Seed Sovereignty
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UN Declaration on Peasants Rights
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Teaching and Learning Activity (TLA)
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Food and Seed sovereignty: Self Assessment
Section 12: Agroecology Transitions and Transformations
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Introduction
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Conceptualizing Agroecological Transformations
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Some Challenges to Upscaling Agroecology
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5 Levels of Transforming Food Systems with Agroecology
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Dimensions of Change
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Domains of Transformation
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Some Recommendations on Achieving Sustainable Food Systems
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Teaching and Learning Activity (TLA)
Agroecology Course
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