Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IES5016

 
TITLE Food Resources and Security

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Institute of Earth Systems

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit focuses on the challenge of meeting a growing global demand for food while remaining with the boundaries of environmental systems. The initial focus is on soil type, soil degradation problems, nutrient load and management, and erosion control. Next it provides an overview of present food production, examining dominant monoculture and chemically based agriculture systems. Close attention is paid to corporate control of seed, mechanization, chemicals used and the relatively new prominence of GMO crops. Along with this, consumption patterns and trade are examined, analyzing these from the perspective of sustainability. Options for alternative agriculture are then examined evaluating the impacts of these on natural systems, and ways to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services while maintaining production to feed the world one location at a time. The unit will introduce various concepts relating to the sustainability of food production, also discussing the various facets of food security. The unit will also focus specifically on aspects of permaculture and energy reduction. Throughout the unit, various relevant concerns relating to food resources will be discussed, including catching and storing energy, recognizing problems of nutrient flow in surrounding ecosystems, reducing food waste, turning problems into solutions, promoting community initiatives, and holistic management and restoration of agro-ecosystems, among others. Case studies will be used throughout for illustrative purposes, with the challenges of food production in the Maltese Islands also explored through fieldwork sessions.

Study-unit Aims:

This unit aims to do the following:
- To introduce basic soil science and gain a working knowledge of soil nomenclature and soil problem both global and local;
- To familiarize students with the challenges of meeting global demands for food;
- To explain how the production of food is intrinsically tied to several fundamental sustainability concerns;
- To explain the basic elements of agricultural ecology;
- To outline various options for food production, including alternatives to large-scale industrialized agricultural systems;
- To illustrate the challenges of food production in a small island state.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- List and describe the major global soil types, properties and management requirements;
- Compare different soil and farm management practices in relation to nutrient management and erosion control;
- Describe the basic elements of agricultural ecology;
- Explain nutrient and energy flows in agro-ecosystems;
- Critically analyze the impacts that modern food production has had on natural systems;
- Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of different methods and techniques used for food production;
- Define the concept of food security;
- Identify components of food security and mechanisms that support equitable and sustainable access to food;
- Outline the principles of permaculture, as articulated by Holmgren, and evaluate their applicability for Mediterranean ecology and agriculture.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify basic problems in agricultural systems, including in Malta and in the wider Mediterranean Basin;
- Analyze the way in which feedback loops, positive or negative, impact ecosystems and ultimately people;
- Identify linkages between the sustainability of food production and the sustainability of various Earth systems;
- Research own examples of agro-ecosystems and report on them in class.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main texts:
Eash, N. S., Green, C. J., Razvi, A., & Bennett, W. F. (2008). Soil Science Simplified. US: Blackwell.
Holmgren, D. (2002). Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability Holmgren Design Services. UK: Permanent Publications.

Supplementary reading:
Gliessman, S. R., & Rosemeyer, M. (2009). The Conversion to Sustainable Agriculture: Principles, Processes and Practices. US: CRC Press.

+ various scholarly articles to be made available directly to students.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 30%
Take Home Examination No 30%
Project Yes 40%

 
LECTURER/S Everaldo Attard
Anthony Sacco

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit