Integrative Agriculture, Technology, and Innovation

Code:

CAGR2014

Acronym:

CAGR2014

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Agrarian Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Agricultural Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
A:A	1	PE_Agronomia	1	-	6	48	162
L:EA	17	The study plan from 2019	2	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The learning objectives of the course are structured to ensure a progression in students' cognitive development, fostering the ability to integrate technical-scientific knowledge with innovation and critical thinking:

 

1. Understand the interconnection between agronomy, ecology, and technology in different production systems, analyzing their application in sustainable agriculture.
2. Apply agronomic strategies for soil conservation and biodiversity promotion, valuing organic waste in regenerative agriculture and implementing crop diversity models.
3. Analyze and evaluate emerging technologies and precision agriculture, understanding the factors influencing their adoption in the agricultural sector.
4. Develop and implement computational programs for irrigation planning and select advanced technologies for crop protection.
5. Evaluate innovative agricultural mechanization systems based on multidimensional approaches, considering agronomic, economic, and environmental factors.
6. Create strategic plans for the management and operation of agricultural enterprises, taking into account objectives and constraints of different natures (economic, legislative, environmental, ecological, among others).

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the fundamental principles of the interconnection between agronomy, ecology, and technology and their impact on sustainable agricultural production systems.
2. Apply agronomic strategies that promote soil conservation and biodiversity, focusing on the valorization of organic matter and crop diversification.
3. Analyze and evaluate emerging technologies and precision agriculture,
4. identifying the factors influencing their adoption and the benefits for productive and environmental efficiency.
5. Develop computational and digital solutions for irrigation planning and select advanced equipment for crop protection.Compare and justify the selection of innovative mechanized systems using multidimensional approaches (economic, environmental, and technological).
6. Engage in agricultural enterprise planning based on objectives and constraints defined by knowledge, technology, and/or the entrepreneur. These constraints and objectives may include agronomic, economic, landscape, environmental, ecological, legislative, and ideological considerations, among others.

.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Agricultura geral e mecanização

Program

1. 
   

   Integration of agronomy, ecology, and technology in sustainable production

   
   


2. 
   

   Precision agriculture and emerging technologies

   
   


3. 
   

   Implementation models for crop diversity in agro-systems

   
   


4. 
   

   Technologies for crop protection

   
   


5. 
   

   Agricultural valorization of organic waste and regenerative agriculture

   
   


6. 
   

   Crop water requirements

   
   


7. 
   

   Irrigation scheduling at different spatial scales

   
   


8. 
   

   Agricultural mechanization systems and profitability thresholds

   
   


9. 
   

   Farm operational planning.

   
   

Mandatory literature

Terrón, P; Fitotecnia: ingeniería de la producción vegetal, Mundi Prensa, 2002
D. Kent Shannon, David E. Clay, Newell R. Kitchen; Precision agriculture basics, John Wiley & Sons, 22/01/2020 - 272 páginas, 2018

Complementary Bibliography

Loomis, R.S e Connor, D.J. ; Ecología de cultivos: productividad y manejo agrarios, Mundi Prensa,, 2002
Pereira LS; Necessidades de Água e Métodos de Rega, Publ. Europa-America, Lisboa, 2004

Comments from the literature

In the first class, the main recommended bibliographic resources are presented and categorized according to their use in the course unit (UC).

Throughout the UC, additional texts and scientific articles available in UP’s digital library will be recommended to support the covered topics. These are generally complementary to the recommended textbooks, for example:

    Loomis, R.S., & Connor, D.J. (2002). Ecología de cultivos: productividad y manejo agrarios. Mundi Prensa.

    Seduto, P., Hsiao, T., Fereres, E., & Raes, D. (2012). Crop yield response to water. FAO 66, Rome. ISBN 978-92-5-107274-5.

The scientific articles recommended to students to support specific topics will be updated periodically according to developmentsn the state of the art.

As mentioned, students will also have access to tutorials and supporting documentation for using software tools specifically developed for this UC.

The feasibility of teaching and assessing some of the planned topics depends on the availability of resources for their implementation.

Additional References:

272. Kent Shannon, David E. Clay, & Newell R. Kitchen. (2018). Precision Agriculture Basics. John Wiley & Sons, 22/01/2020 – 272.

    Porta, J., Acevedo, M., & Roquero, C. (1997). Edafología para la agricultura y el medio ambiente. Mundi Prensa, 1999

Teaching methods and learning activities

Learning activities include:

1. Interactive presentation of the syllabus, emphasizing the application of knowledge to real case studies and students' future professional activities, as well as open discussions on various topics. Some topics will be covered through seminars led by specialists.
2. Fieldwork to allow students to engage with equipment and understand the organization of an agricultural enterprise.
3. A virtual digital simulation environment as an educational resource for:
   i) decision-making simulations at the crop system level,
   ii) selection of mechanized systems,
   iii) use of precision agriculture technologies.
4. Irrigation scheduling project.
5. Some classes will take place outside the academic setting, particularly for the exploration of mechanized systems and emerging technologies in precision agriculture.
6. Study visits are planned.

Software

Quantum GIS (QGIS
Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP)
Cropwat
MAChoice

keywords

Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Agronomics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	35,00
Estudo autónomo	46,00
Frequência das aulas	46,00
Trabalho laboratorial	35,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

1. 
   

    Compliance with attendance requirements as established in the student assessment regulations (https://sigarra.up.pt/up/LEGISLACAO_GERAL.ver_legislacao?p_nr=4025), respecting the maximum absence limit of 25% of the total classes.

   
   
   
   
   • Submission and acceptance of practical work, projects, or case studies within the stipulated deadlines.
   
   
   • Students who have previously completed and passed practical work, projects, or case studies in previous years (up to 2 years) will be admitted to the final exam without needing to repeat this assessment component.
   
   
   • Students with a status that allows exemption from course attendance (e.g., working student status) must complete the practical assignments/projects/case studies outlined in the course unit to obtain attendance in the course.
   
   
   
   

Calculation formula of final grade

Calculation formula of final grade

Course evaluation is based on 3 components:

1 - Written exam (WE) covering all the taught programmatic contents.

2 - Practical work (TP1, TP2 and TP3) (see dossier UC)

The final grade (FG) is calculated by the algorithm:

 
FG = (EE ´ 60 + TP1 ´ 25 + TP2 ´ 7,5 + TP3  ´ 7,5 )/100.

 To pass the course the CF> = 10 and a minimum score of 8/20 in all components. In the case of some of the tests provided do not hold their value in percentage assigned in FG will be added to the written examination (WE)

Examinations or Special Assignments

n.a.

Internship work/project

n.a.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

During the “época de avaliação especial de conclusão de curso” and the “época de avaliação para estudantes com estatuto ou condição especial”, in addition to the written exam, students must be assessed in all components outlined in the course's "assessment structure," such as practical assignments (PAn), projects, or case studies. Previously submitted work from other assessment periods cannot be used for this purpose.

 Students wishing to take advantage of this special evaluation period must, after confirming their eligibility, contact the Professor at least one week before the exam to receive the protocols for the TPn, projects, or case studies to be completed.

Classification improvement

Grade improvement in the course covers all assessment components outlined (cf. assessment formula), in addition to the written exam. Partial improvement of individual components is not allowed. All practical work TPn/Projects/case studies submitted for grade improvement must be different from those presented in previous assessment periods, such as the regular exam period.

To take the grade improvement exam, students must first register at the "student office" of FCUP.

 

 

Observations

In addition to the course bibliography, tutorial texts or scientific literature will be provided to support some of the taught topics.

Student Support Outside of Class Hours: I provide all contact information (phone, mobile, and email) and permit to be called at any time, emphasizing the need to consider the urgency of the matter. Prior to the exam, I will hold a clarification session for doubts.

Due to curriculum and departmental requirements, I will maintain office hours (Vairão) for student assistance outside of class-time: Thursday from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm