Length Length

7 modules, accessible at any time

Effort Effort

3-5 hours per module

Price Price

FREE

Languages Languages

English

Video Transcripts Video Transcripts

English, Pусский

Prerequisites Prerequisites

None

Requirements Requirements

An internet connection to access course materials

AGRICULTURE PAST & PRESENT
How the field has developed over time, and how recent developments like advanced technology impact farming

AGRICULTURE PAST & PRESENT
AGRICULTURAL POLICY
All about regulations influencing production, trade, and other aspects of agriculture

AGRICULTURAL POLICY
NUTRITION & FOOD SECURITY
What is food security? How do poverty, inequality, and other factors affect the nutrition of individuals and entire countries?

NUTRITION & FOOD SECURITY
CASE STUDIES
Examples from industries ranging from rice to livestock, and the experiences of smallholder farmers

CASE STUDIES

Overview

This course is self-paced – you can enroll immediately and complete the course materials at any time before August 31, 2023.

Agriculture is more than waving fields of wheat; our ability to grow food from existing natural resources – and without decimating those resources – is key to sustainably feeding the world.

In this 7-module massive open online course (MOOC), learn about food security worldwide, the effects of malnutrition, how we manage ecosystems that provide food resources, and more. You’ll emerge from this course with a clear answer to the question: What can I do to make food consumption and production more sustainable?

This course is supported by faculty based at Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Rothamsted Research, Tufts University, and Wageningen University and Research.

We are grateful to the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) for supporting the course's Teaching Assistants.

structure

  • Pre-recorded lectures
  • Readings
  • Quizzes and final exam
  • Discussion forum

Lead Faculty

  • Faculty Image

    Achim Dobermann

    International Fertilizer Association

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    Jessica Fanzo

    Johns Hopkins University

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    Ken Giller

    Wageningen University & Research

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    Upmanu Lall

    Columbia University

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    Michael Lee

    Rothamsted Research

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    William Masters

    Tufts University

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    Rebecca Nelson

    Cornell University

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    Johan Verreth

    Wageningen University & Research

This course is for

Nutritionists, agriculture professionals, and other practitioners interested in the latest developments in the field

Sustainable development practitioners – including those who work for international aid organizations and nonprofits in the realms of poverty, nutrition, and agriculture – who want to understand the lifecycle of food production and food security

Private actors, such as those engaging in or investing in social entrepreneurship and the support of local agriculture

Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in agriculture, economics, international development, and other fields who are learning about the intersectional factors impacting agriculture and food production/consumption

Questions?

Course logistics and requirements

This course is self-paced. All course components are available now and can be completed at any time that is convenient for the students. Please note that this course is not facilitated by a course team. We encourage students to engage with one another via the discussion forum. Any specific questions can be sent to the SDG Academy team at courses@sdgacademy.org.

Certificates

Learners who successfully complete the course will be eligible to purchase a Verified Certificate signed by Achim Dobermann.

syllabus

Module 1: The global challenges around food

1.1

Introduction to this MOOC

1.2

Global Challenges Around Food

1.3

Case Study 1: Rice

1.4

Case Study 2: Smallholder Farming

1.5

Case Study 3: Livestock

1.6

Case Study 4: Aquaculture

Module 2: Agriculture at the center of sustainable development

2.1

Emergence of Modern Agriculture

2.2

Risks Under a Business-As-Usual Scenario

2.3

Agriculture & the Sustainable Development Goals

Module 3: Food systems for nutritional security and better health

3.1

What is Food Security?

3.2

Nutrition and Health

3.3

Consumption and Diets

3.4

Food Losses and Waste

3.5

Socio-Economic Dynamics of Food Systems

3.6

Pathways Towards Food Security

Module 4: Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems – Part 1

4.1

Sustainable Agriculture Intensification

4.2

The Importance of Productivity Growth

4.3

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

4.4

Breeding and Genetics

4.5

Nutrient Management

4.6

Soil Fertility Management

Module 5: Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems – Part 2

5.1

Water Management

5.2

Crop Protection

5.3

Good Agronomy

5.4

Sustainable Livestock Systems

5.5

Functional Diversity (Parts I & II)

Module 6: Rural development for poverty alleviation

6.1

Rural Economies and Urban Linkages

6.2

Rural Development

6.3

Markets and Supply Chains

6.4

International Trade

6.5

Development Enhancing Investments

6.6

Food Governance

Module 7: Action for change

7.1

Pathways to Change

7.2

Monitoring Change

7.3

Mechanisms to Stimulate Change

7.4

Investing in Science

7.5

What Can I Do?