Modular Course Material
Developed and Written within the framework of the
“Environmental Education – Sustainable Agriculture – Rural Development: Strengthening International Co-operation for the Eradication of Poverty” Development Education Programme
Project partially funded by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Hellenic Aid (Reference no. ANAP-94-2003)
Edited by
Dr. Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis
President and Founder, Biopolitics International Organisation
Cooperation Between Greece and Turkey
in the development and dissemination of educational material
for agriculture and rural development
Biopolitics International Organisation
2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND MODULE OUTLINE
1. Objectives
2. Agricultural development, population growth and the Green Revolution
3. Land, soil and water
4. Biopolicy implications
5. References
CHAPTER 2. AGRICULTURAL LAND USE AND SOIL QUALITY
1. Agricultural lands and urban agriculture
2. Land use in Europe
3. Soil quality
4. Soil erosion
5. Soil contamination and treatment
6. Biosolids and soil fertility
7. References
CHAPTER 3. WATER, IRRIGATION AND POLLUTION
1. Water use and irrigation techniques
2. Agricultural water pollution
3. References
CHAPTER 4. FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
1. Integrating forestry, agriculture and food supply
2. The problem of deforestation in the developing world
3. Deforestation and global warming
4. Improving forest management and agroforestry
5. World hunger and food security
6. References
CHAPTER 5. BIOTECHNOLOGY – BENEFITS AND DANGERS
1. Biotechnology in agriculture
2. Genetics and biodiversity
3. Food ethics and biotechnology
4. References
CHAPTER 6. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND FARMING
1. Organic agriculture increases biodiversity
2
a. genetic diversity
b. species diversity
c. ecosystem diversity
d. protected areas
e. soil biodiversity
f. the Vignola Declaration
2. Food safety issues in relation to organic farming
3. Regulation of organic food
a. European Union regulations
b. Codex Alimentarius Commission
c. Inspection and certification
d. Labelling
4. International and European markets and policy
5. References
CHAPTER 7. TOWARD SUSTAINABLE MODELS OF AGRICULTURE
1. Global agricultural production and the environment
2. Preventing further loss of biodiversity
3. Redirecting agriculture
4. Resource management with a view to the future
5. Combating climate change through agriculture
6. References
CHAPTER 8. DEFINITION AND INSTRUMENTS OF THE EU’s COMMON
AGRICULTURAL POLICY
1. Introduction
2. Objectives and principles of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
3. European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
4. Reforming the Common Agricultural Policy – Agenda 2000
5. Rural policy
6. Financial framework
7. Common Agricultural Policy and the World Trade Organisation
8. Revisions and future prospects
9. References
ADDENDUM AND CASE STUDIES
1. Soils – Our Precious Common Asset, by Professor Ilhami Unver, Faculty of
Agriculture, Department of Soil Science, Ankara University, Turkey
2. Land Degradation, Agricultural Activities and Rural Development in the
Aegean Region of Turkey, by Professor Umit Erdem, Centre for
Environmental Studies, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
