Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova

Alecu Russo Balti State University

Faculty of Exact, Economic and Environmental Sciences
Department of Natural Sciences and Agroecology

Analytical program
SCIENTIFIC BASES OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Specialty Agricultural ecology, masters studies

Lecturer:
B. Boincean,
Doctor habilitate, research professor

Approved

Discussed at the meeting

by the Board

of the Department

of the Faculty of Natural

of Natural

Sciences and Agroecology

Sciences and Agroecology

Protocol Nr._____

Protocol Nr._____

of____ __________ 2014

of____ __________ 2014

Head of the Board

Head of department

_____________________

Dr. hab., prof. B. Boincean

Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Stadnic

Balti, 2014

Short description
Specialization: Agroecology
Course discipline: Scientific bases of sustainable agricultural development
Lectures: 24 hours
Seminars: 16.
Consultations: 3
Exam: Written / oral
Object and purpose of the discipline. The scientific bases of sustainable agricultural development agroecology. A new vision of agriculture.
Agriculture vs agro-business.
Local economy vs globalization.
Providing humanity with food versus providing villages and settlements with food.
Consumers or buyers?
History of the development of sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture in the US.
Components of sustainable agricultural systems.
Soil nutrients management.
Crop rotation in sustainable agricultural systems. Ecological and agronomic features of innovative
systems of alteration.
Conservative soil cultivation.
New strategies in weed management.
Management of diseases and plant pests in a sustainable agricultural system.
Biotechnology and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture.
Grassland management.
The role of animals in sustainable agriculture.
Developing policies to support programs for transition to sustainable agriculture.
Positive environmental impact of sustainable agriculture systems.
Bibliography required
Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Edited by Clyve A. Edwards, Ratton Lal, Patrick Madden
Robert Miller and Gar House, Soi Land Conservation Society Woter 1990, USA, 169 p.
For All Generations. Making World More Sustainable Agriculture. WSAA Publication, Edited
by: Patrick Madden and Scott G. I. Chaplowe, USA, 1997, 642 p.

I. Distribution of hours and forms of assessment

Semester I / II
Total nr. of hours - 48, including:
Lectures - 24
Seminars - 16
Consultations - 3
Exam: Written / oral
II. Prerequisites:
Sustainable development of agriculture requires a systemic vision of agriculture. The
scientific basis for sustainable development in agriculture is agroecology. Agroecology in its turn
requires a smooth integration of different agriculture disciplines oriented towards respecting
ecological principles of ecosystems, using natural ecosystems as a model for the development of
agricultural ecosystems. Master students will have a real possibility to apply knowledge gained from
such disciplines as: phyto-technology, agro-chemistry, agricultural technology, agroecology etc.
III. The place and role of the disciple in the training of the specialist:
The simplistic vision (reductionist) view, which until now dominates in agriculture, is based on the
use of external inputs to ensure a high level of production and income (profit). Unfortunately, this
vision does not take into account the consequences of agriculture system on the environment and
human health. By accepting a systemic (holistic) vision, it becomes possible to avert the negative
consequences of human activity in agriculture. With the transition to a sustainable agricultural
system, it becomes possible to find a complex solution to the economic, environmental and social
problems.
IV. Course objectives:
After studying the discipline, master students will:
Know:
Premises for the development of sustainable agriculture in the world and in the Republic of
Moldova.
The meaning of the new paradigm in agriculture intensification.
Component parts of a sustainable agricultural system and their interaction.
Promoting policies, aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture.
The positive impact of sustainable agriculture practices.
Demonstrate skills in:
Highlighting the priorities of sustainable agricultural system compared to the traditional
Agricultural system.
Choosing agricultural practices, which not only ensure a high level of production, but
simultaneously protect natural resources and prevent their degradation and pollution.
Assessing the sustainability of agricultural holdings.
Master students will form / reform:
The capacity to synthesize the information obtained from previous courses through the optimization
of economic, environmental and social conditions.
Ability to work in a team to address various problems.
Critical thinking skills on the current situation in agriculture and will develop practical solutions to
redress them.

V. Course contents:
Object and purpose of the discipline.
Agroecology as a scientific basis for sustainable development in agriculture. A new paradigm of
agricultural development.
Chapter 1. History of the development of sustainable agriculture in the world and in
the Republic of Moldova.
Green Revolution and its consequences. National agenda for sustainable development of agriculture.
An opportunity for a radical change in agriculture and society. Sustainable agriculture in the US,
Moldova and other states.
Chapter 2. The components of sustainable agricultural system.
2.1. Soil nutrients management.
Ways to reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil.
Inputs of nutrients.
2.2. Crop rotation in sustainable agricultural systems. The effect of crop rotation. .The role of
different cultures in restoring soil fertility.
2. 3. Ecological and agronomic features of innovative systems of alteration..
2.4. Conservative soil cultivation..
2.5. New strategies in weed management..
2.6. Management of diseases and plant pests in a sustainable agricultural system.
2.7. Biotechnology and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture
2.8. Grassland management.
2.9. The role of animals in sustainable agriculture.
Chapter 3. Developing policies to support transition programs to sustainable
agriculture.
3.1. Advantages of policies, aimed at reducing inputs in agriculture from non-renewable
sources of energy.
3.2. Economic assessment of farming systems with limited inputs.
Chapter 4. Positive environmental impact of sustainable agricultural systems.
4.1. Reducing inputs in agriculture and crop productivity.
4.2. Soil degradation.
4.3. Pollution of soil, groundwater and agricultural production with nitrates and pesticide residues.
4.4. Soil biota.
4.5. Human health.
Topics for the seminars:
1.
2.

Sustainable agriculture as an ecological revolution in agriculture.

History of the development of sustainable agriculture in the world and in Moldova.

3.
The components of sustainable agriculture. Crop rotation. The effect of crop rotation.
The role of different crops in rotation.
4.
Soil nutrients management.
5.
Conservative soil cultivation.
6.
Management of diseases, plant pests and weeds.
7.
Grassland management and livestock role in sustainable agriculture.
8.
Revision.
VI. Assessment methods and criteria
The current assessment will be performed by means of test-papers/ quizzes,/ commentaries
/portfolios. To determine the average semester grade, we will divide the sum of grades obtained
during the semester by the minimum number of grades - 3, including absence without valid reasons
during seminars and test papers. To be admitted to the exam the average semester grade should not
be less than 5.
The final evaluation will take place in the form of a written test/ oral exam. The final grade is
determined in accordance with the Regulations on the organization of higher education studies under
the National Education Credit System, approved by order of the Ministry of Education no. 726 of
20.09.2010, approved by the Decision of the University Senate on 23.11.2006, protocol no.3.
Questionnaire:
1.
Simplistic (reductionist) and systemic (holistic) visions on agriculture.
2.
The new paradigm of agricultural development.
3.
Sustainable agriculture and agro-business.
4.
Compatibility of local economy and globalization.
5.
Providing food for humankind and at the level of each rural community.
6.
Consumers and buyers.
7.
The evolution of the concept of sustainable development.
8.
Green Revolution and its consequences.
9.
National agenda for sustainable development.
10.
The concept of agriculture with low inputs in the US. Wrong understanding of this
concept.
11.
Nutrients management in sustainable agricultural system.
12.
Management of soil organic matter in sustainable agricultural systems.
13.
Ways to reduce losses of nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
14.
Inputs of nutrients in sustainable agriculture.
15.
The role of crop rotation in sustainable agricultural system.
16.
Effect of crop rotation and its practical importance.
17.
Ecological and agronomic features of innovative systems of alteration..
18.
New strategies in disease management.
19.
New strategies in pest management.
20.
New weed management strategies.
21.
Conservative soil cultivation.
22.
Biotechnology and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture.
23.
Grassland management.
24.
The role of animals in sustainable agricultural system.
25.
State policies to promote sustainable agriculture.
26.
Economic assessment of sustainable agriculture systems.

27.
Positive environmental impact of sustainable agricultural systems compared to
traditional systems of agriculture.

Bibliography
1. Sustainable agricultural systems. Edited by Clive A. Edwards, Rattan Lal Patrick
Madden, Robert H. Miller and Gar Hous. Soi Land Water Conservation Society, 1990,
USA, 696 p.
2. For All Generation. Marking World Sustainable Agriculture Awards. WSAA
Publication Edited by: I. Patrick Madden and Scott G. Chaplowe, USA, 1997, 642 p.
Further reading:
1. Sieglinde Snapp and Barrz Pound. Agricultural Systems. Agroecology and innovation for
rural development, USA, 2008, 386 p.

Thematic plan for the discipline "scientific bases of sustainable agricultural development"
Nr. The theme of the lectures and
Nr.
do questions
hours
1 Agroecology as a scientific basis for
2
sustainable development in agriculture. A
new paradigm of agricultural
development.
2 History of the development of sustainable2
agriculture in the world and in Moldova

Nr.
do
1

theme seminars

History of the development of

sustainable agriculture in the world and
in Moldova
Effect of crop rotation and ecological
significance. Nutrient management.

The need for a new paradigm of

agricultural intensification

Conservation tillage system.

The components of sustainable

agriculture:
a) sustainable agriculture cropping
system. Nutrient management.
Ecological and agronomic systems
feature innovative crop rotation
Conservation tillage system

New strategies in weed management.

Management of pests and diseases.

Biotechnology and crop improvements

Field

New strategies in the management of

diseases, pests and weeds.
Grassland management and livestock
role in the sustainable development of
the agricultural sector.
Positive environmental impact
sustainable agriculture systems.
Seminar tabulation. State policies to
promote sustainable agricultural
system.

Grassland management and livestock role 2

in promoting sustainable agriculture.
10 Developing policies to support programs 2
for transition to sustainable agriculture.
11 Positive environmental impact
2
sustainable agriculture systems
12 Ttotalizarea materials on sustainable
agriculture systems.
Total
24

Nr.
hours