International cooperation and crop-livestock systems

Aim of the course is to provide the agronomists who intend to work in the field of the international cooperation, with the analysis factors of the agro-feeding systems in the developing countries. Firstly, the present agricultural and livestock productive structures in the different geographic, ecological and climatic areas of the world are described. Secondly, a review of the concepts and principles related to feed security and feed safety are also presented and discussed, liaising with the dynamics of the domestic and international markets. Both the rural and the peri-urban areas are considered in this survey. By a systemic approach some important food chains are analysed, with a particular reference to the use of sustainable productive factors and to the set-up of farm systems for the agricultural and livestock productions. Starting from case studies, a methodology is proposed to plan development projects in crop and animal production, to implement and to monitor them in view of an economic and environmental sustainability. The present issues dealing with the food and environment crises, with the North/South imbalance, and with the tools of the international cooperation, are presented and discussed also with the contribute of some outside experts.

At the end of the course and when the final examination will be
positively passed, the student will have gained knowledge and
expertise on the different crop and livestock husbandry systems
and technologies in the world, with the critical points and the
assets of each system. He/she will have also learnt how to plan,
implement and monitor a development project on agriculture and
animal production social friendly and economically and
environmentally sustainable.