Current features of Terroir-driven agricultural production in France
main objectives
Terroir-driven agricultural production in France: ,• To know the geographical distribution of the main agricultural production areas in relation to the features of their terroir (climate, soil, rainfall, etc),• To have an idea of the production techniques and average yields of the main French agricultural products,• To be familiar with the features that shaped French agriculture,• To have a general overview on the labels and modes of production used in France. ,,French Dairy Industry and PDOs:,• To understand the factors explaining the differences in dairy farming systems, in the ways in which dairy products are valued and consumed. ,• To identify the link between PDO specifications and the diversity of dairy farming systems. ,• Learn about cheese tasting.,,Introduction to Agroecology: Overview of agroecological approaches:,• This course aims to take an overview of agroecology by exploring its history and its concepts. Focus is made on scientific aspects and on main principles for designing agroecological practices in several pedoclimatic contexts. Concrete illustrations may deepen several aspects by visiting a farm involved in agroecological transition
general content
Terroir-driven agricultural production in France:,• This lecture presents the main trends of French agriculture as driven by the geographical, historical and climatic context. It gives an overview of the place and role played by agriculture in the French social and economic landscape. It reviews the major crop and animal products, their production basin and their major features. A rapid overview of the different modes of production and labels used in France is also presented.,,French Dairy Industry and PDOs:,• This course is divided into three parts. The first part describes the specificities of French dairy farming, in comparison with the European and world situation, by describing and explaining the origins of the diversity of farming systems in terms of size, breeds, feeding practices, etc. The second part describes the different ways in which milk is used in France, Europe and the world (products, industries, consumption). The third part presents the diversity of French PDO cheeses in the form of a tasting session,,Introduction to Agroecology: Overview of agroecological approaches:,• A 2 hour lecture aims to give some reference points for understanding agroecology through time and the world. ,• A visit to a farm near Angers may illustrate pathways towards agroecological transition. This visit may favor spontaneous exchanges of opinions with the farmer in order to highlight their goals and organization
pedagogy
Lectures ,Study case,Company visits and ‘In stitu’ presentation
evaluation
Group term project,Oral defense,
Bibliography
Terroir-driven agricultural production in France: ,• Bibliography,- Statistical book 2020. Agriculture, Forestry, fisheries and food industry. France, May 2021. https://agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr/agreste-web/download/publication/publie/MemSta2020%20-%20en/Handbook2020V2.pdf,• Suggested resources,- https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/France-AGRICULTURE.html,- https://agriculture.gouv.fr/overview-french-agricultural-diversity,,French Dairy Industry and PDOs:,• Suggested resources ,- https://www.franceagrimer.fr/,- https://agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr/agreste-web/,- https://www.fromages-aop.com/,- https://www.filiere-laitiere.fr/en (english),,Introduction to Agroecology: Overview of agroecological approaches:,• Bibliography,- Altieri MA: Agroecology: a new research and development paradigm for world agriculture. Agr Ecosyst Environ 1989, 27:37-46.,- Bellon S, Lamine C, Ollivier G, de Abreu LS: The relationships between organic farming and agroecology. In: Organic is life – Knowledge for tomorrow, Vol1 – Organic Crop Production Proceedings of the 3rd scientific conference of the ISOFAR Edited by Neuhoff D SS, Seekyewa C, Halberg N, Rasmussen IA, Hermansen J. Gyeonggi Paldang, South Korea. 2011.,- Conway GR: The properties of agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 1987, 24:95-117.,- Doré T, Makowski D, Malézieux E, Munier-Jolain N, Tchamitchian M, Tittonell P: Facing up to the paradigm of ecological intensification in agronomy: Revisiting methods, concepts and knowledge. European Journal of Agronomy 2011, 34(4):197-210.,- Gliessman SR: Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems: CRC press 2014.,- Lefroy E, Hobbs R, O’Connor M, Pate J: Agriculture as a mimic of natural ecosystems: Kluwer Acad. Pub, Netherlands 1999.,- Malézieux E: Designing cropping systems from nature. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2012, 32:15-29.,- Wezel A, Bellon S, Doré T, Francis C, Vallod D, David C: Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 2009, 29(4):503-515.,,• Suggested resources: ,- Altieri MA: Agroecology: a new research and development paradigm for world agriculture. Agr Ecosyst Environ 1989, 27:37-46.,- Malézieux E: Designing cropping systems from nature. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2012, 32:15-29,