Integrating ecology into agricultural science education

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends that governments, with the support of multilateral and bilateral development agencies and scientific organizations, should develop curricula for agricultural colleges and training institutions that would integrate ecology into agricultural science.

1. Interdisciplinary programmes in agricultural ecology are essential to the training of a new generation of agricultural scientists and field-level extension agents.

1. Training ecological involvement
2. Teaching science
3. Teaching integrative science
4. Strengthening role of farmers in sustainable development
5. Conducting practical agricultural training

1. Training mountain communities in integrated environmental management
2. Training demographers and ecologists in population-environment links
3. Training agricultural scientists and extension staff in agricultural ecology

1. Using agro-ecosystems in conservation management
2. Farming organically

1. Overeducation
2. Mismanagement
3. Education