Sustainable Food Security: Crop Production
Learn essential principles of sustainable crop production and food security through a systems-based approach from Wageningen University.
Learn essential principles of sustainable crop production and food security through a systems-based approach from Wageningen University.
This comprehensive course explores the fundamentals of sustainable crop production and its role in global food security. Led by Prof. Ken E. Giller, students learn about production ecology principles, yield gap assessment, and sustainability practices. The course examines bio-physical aspects of crop growth, water and nutrient management, and pest control strategies. Through a systems-based approach, participants understand how to balance increasing food production with environmental conservation. The course addresses the challenge of feeding nine billion people by 2050 while preserving planetary resources, making it ideal for those interested in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Instructors:
English
English
Powered by
What you'll learn
Value the main challenges in global food production and consumption
Understand factors affecting crop production including water and nutrients
Identify environmental impacts of food crop production
Assess yield gaps across different geographical regions
Evaluate innovations in food crop production
Apply sustainable agricultural practices
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, Exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
Closed caption
Get a Completion Certificate
Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.
Created by
Provided by
Top companies offer this course to their employees
Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 6 modules in this course
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of crop production and food security principles. Starting with global food production challenges, it covers photosynthesis basics and bio-physical principles of crop growth. Students learn about potential production factors, water management, nutrient requirements, and pest control. The course emphasizes practical applications through real-world examples and concludes with a synthesis of production ecology principles. Special attention is given to regional differences and sustainable practices in different geographical contexts.
Introduction
Module 1
Potential Production
Module 2
Water Limited Production
Module 3
Nutrient Limited Production
Module 4
Actual Production
Module 5
Synthesis
Module 6
Fee Structure
Instructors
4 Courses
Agricultural Systems Pioneer Champions Sustainable Farming for African Smallholders
Dr. Ken Giller, Emeritus Professor of Plant Production Systems at Wageningen University, has dedicated his career to understanding and improving smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. His groundbreaking research focuses on soil fertility, nitrogen fixation in tropical legumes, and the complex dynamics of crop-livestock farming systems.
6 Courses
Leading Expert in Agricultural Systems Analysis and Sustainability
Dr. Gerrie van de Ven serves as Assistant Professor in the Plant Production Systems Group at Wageningen University & Research, where she combines research and teaching with a focus on farming systems analysis and optimization of land-use systems related to all dimensions of sustainability. After completing her agronomy training at Wageningen University, she spent 13 years at the Centre for Agro-Biological and Soil Fertility Research developing methodologies for exploring production potentials under conflicting goals. Her PhD research explored opportunities for Dutch dairy systems, examining trade-offs between economic and environmental goals with particular attention to nutrient emissions. Following three years at the Centre of Environmental Sciences – Leiden University working on farm certification and biodiversity issues, she joined Wageningen's Plant Production Systems Group in 2000, where she has contributed to diverse research areas including mixed farming systems, multi-functional agriculture, biofuel production opportunities, and homegarden systems in Ethiopia. Her work consistently emphasizes systems analysis and sustainability, focusing on nutrient cycling, environmental impacts, and crop-livestock interactions in both Western and African contexts. She currently teaches natural resource management and systems analysis while also developing MOOCs on production ecology principles as part of the XSeries Programme in Food Security and Sustainability. Her research combines systems analysis and modeling approaches at farm and regional levels, contributing to our understanding of sustainable agricultural systems and their environmental impacts.
Testimonials
Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.