Farming Systems
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 2 credit units
- 113 pages
- 4 units
This course introduces students to farming systems, emphasizing the interplay between farmers and their environment. It explores the classification of farming systems and the physical, biological, and socio-economic factors influencing them. Students will examine tropical small-scale farming systems, crop-based systems, and the role of research in developing sustainable agricultural practices. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of farming systems and their sustainable development.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 25 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Rural Sociology
- Farming Systems Research
- General Agriculture
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRP507, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRP507 · UNIT 2 FACTORS THAT DETERMINE FARMING SYSTEMS: PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC
While somewhat original in the comprehensiveness of its farm systems' schema, the analytical framework and approach taken are not in conflict with the approaches to systems theory and agricultural systems analysis.
What you should be able to do
- Define and classify farming systems.
- Identify factors influencing farming systems.
- Describe tropical small-scale farming systems.
- Explain crop-based farming systems.
- Understand farming systems research methodologies.
- Apply knowledge to develop sustainable agricultural practices.
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Farm Manager
- Agricultural Researcher
- Agribusiness Consultant
- Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
- Agriculture
- Agribusiness
- Environmental Conservation
- Rural Development
- Government Agencies
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 2: Factors that Determine Farming Systems: Physical, Biological and Socio-economic
Understanding the complex interactions between physical, biological, and socio-economic factors requires integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines.
- Module 4:
Unit 1: Farming Systems Research: Descriptive and Prescriptive
Grasping the nuances of descriptive versus prescriptive research methodologies and their practical applications demands critical thinking and analytical skills.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 34 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Concepts, Definition and Classification of Farming Systems · 2 hours
Understand the concept of farming systems.. Define farming systems and their components.. Identify the various classes of farming systems..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Factors that Determine Farming Systems: Physical, Biological and Socio-economic · 2 hours
Identify physical factors like topography and climate.. Explain the impact of biological factors such as crops and livestock.. Analyze socio-economic factors influencing farming systems..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: Characteristics of Tropical Small Scale Farming Systems · 3 hours
Identify characteristics of tropical small-scale farming systems.. Discuss the importance of small-scale farming.. Describe different types of small-scale farming systems..
- Week 4Module 3:
Unit 1: Important Crop-Based Farming Systems · 3 hours
Explain crop-based farming systems.. Identify various types of crop-based farming systems.. Discuss the importance of different cropping systems..
- Week 5Module 4:
Unit 1: Farming Systems Research: Descriptive and Prescriptive · 3 hours
Describe the historical perspective of agricultural research in Nigeria.. Understand the concept of On-Farm Adaptive Research (OFAR).. Outline the steps involved in conducting OFAR..
- Week 6Module 1:
Review of Module 1 · 2 hours
Review concepts, definitions, and classifications of farming systems.. Discuss the factors determining farming systems.. Prepare for Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)..
- Week 7Module 2:
Review of Module 2 · 2 hours
Review characteristics of tropical small-scale farming systems.. Discuss the importance of small-scale farming.. Prepare for Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)..
- Week 8Module 3:
Review of Module 3 · 2 hours
Review important crop-based farming systems.. Discuss the importance of cropping systems.. Prepare for Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)..
- Week 9Module 4:
Review of Module 4 · 2 hours
Review farming systems research methodologies.. Discuss descriptive and prescriptive research approaches.. Prepare for Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)..
- Week 10All Modules
Course Catch-Up and Assignment Finalization · 3 hours
Complete any outstanding assignments.. Participate in online forums to discuss challenging concepts.. Review all course materials..
- Week 11Module 1:
Focused Review: Farming Systems Concepts and Definitions · 3 hours
Focus on understanding key definitions and classifications.. Review examples of farming systems in different communities.. Practice defining farming systems in your own words..
- Week 12Module 1:
Focused Review: Factors Influencing Farming Systems · 3 hours
Review the impact of physical, biological, and socio-economic factors.. Create a mind map linking these factors to specific farming systems.. Discuss real-world examples of these factors in your local community..
- Week 13All Modules
Final Revision and Exam Preparation · 4 hours
Synthesize all course materials.. Create a comprehensive study guide.. Participate in a mock exam..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking physical, biological, and socio-economic factors to farming systems.
- Review case studies of successful and unsuccessful farming systems.
- Practice defining and classifying different types of farming systems.
- Focus on understanding the steps involved in On-Farm Adaptive Research (OFAR).
- Review past tutor-marked assignments and identify areas for improvement.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRP507 about?
This course introduces students to farming systems, emphasizing the interplay between farmers and their environment. It explores the classification of farming systems and the physical, biological, and socio-economic factors influencing them. Students will examine tropical small-scale farming systems, crop-based systems, and the role of research in developing sustainable agricultural practices. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of farming systems and their sustainable development.
How many units does CRP507 have?
CRP507, Farming Systems, has 4 units across 4 modules, over 113 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRP507?
CRP507 carries 2 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is CRP507 hard?
CRP507 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CRP507 take to study?
About 25 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is CRP507 assessed?
CRP507 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting CRP507?
Rural Sociology Farming Systems Research General Agriculture
What can I do with CRP507?
Agricultural Extension Officer, Farm Manager, Agricultural Researcher, Agribusiness Consultant and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist.