Applications are open for FSC Summer School “Transformative Changes in Agriculture and Food Systems”. The global population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050. But resource constraints (land, water, etc.) and the changing climate is reducing farm productivity. Moreover, These put much pressure for transformative changes to agriculture and food systems to meet the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2) of ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030. Also, This Summer School will consider advances in technology and discuss three pathways for how changes in food and agriculture systems could contribute to meeting SDG 2.

Modules

• Module 1 (9 – 13 September 2019): Precision Agriculture. Further, This module will discuss farm management that uses information technology applications such as GPS-guided control systems, sensors and remote sensing technology to make production more efficient, profitable and sustainable while protecting the environment.
• Module 2 (16 – 20 September 2019): Vertical and Urban Farming. Further, The rapid growth of cities and diminishing arable land gave rise to vertical farming as an ingenious method to produce food. While vertical farms save space and soil, it also lowers water requirements and is seen as more sustainable. Also, This module will look into vertical farming innovation systems like the use of hydroponics and plant towers.
• Module 3 (23 – 27 September 2019): Edible Insects – The Future of Food. While people used to eat insects because of its palatability and its established place in local food culture, consuming insects has become more relevant with the increasing demand for protein and for food security and environmental concerns. Insects are highly nutritious with protein, vitamin, fiber, and mineral content. A discourse on the conservation of habitat, rearing of insect species, and also, processing of insects into food and feed products while looking into the opportunities and challenges in marketing of insect-based food will be discussed in this module.

Benefit

• FSC will offer up to 16 scholarships for ongoing PhD students from Africa,
• Asia, and Latin America to participate in the course.
• The scholarship covers roundtrip
• economy-class air ticket,
• Also, accommodation, meals,
• domestic travel related to course
• activities in the Philippines. Other expenses (such as visa fees, if any) shall be borne by the students.

Eligibility

•  PhD students from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are to apply
• The course will be in English. Participants must be fluent in English.