Pastoral farms can strengthen their vital role as drivers of thriving rural areas and resilient agri-food systems for generations to come. Innovations and business models, together with an enabling policy framework, are necessary to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the pastoral production systems

Organisation

Key reasons to attend this course

Acquire a broad multidisciplinary view on scientific and methodological updates on pastoral research based on theoretical and practical evidence.
Develop skills in methods of technical and socioeconomic analysis of pastoral systems and product valorisation.
Gain deeper insights on the ecosystem services concept in the context of pastoralism, including methods for assessing their provision and recognising positive impacts on environment and society.
Obtain a comprehensive understanding of concepts relating to system dynamics and resilience; collective initiatives; and inclusive development.
Learn tools to comprehend the policy framework of pastoral systems and to conduct policy analyses.
Take home a rich collection of practical experiences from on-site visits and case studies, allowing interactions with multiple pastoral actors and other course participants in an international environment.

Lecturers

Blanco, Juan Carlos - Consultants on Conservation Biology SL, (Spain)
D'Ottavio, Paride - Polytechnic Univ. Marche, Ancona (Italy)
Dubeuf, Jean Paul - INRAE-Corte, Corsica (France)
Franca, Antonello - CNR-ISPAAM, Sassari (Italy)
Francioni, Mateo - Polytechnic Univ. Marche, Ancona (Italy)
Koluman, Nazan - Univ. Çukurova, Adana (Türkey)
López-Marco, Lucía - Mallata (Spain)
López i Gelats, Feliu - Univ. Vic (Spain)
Martín, Daniel - CITA, Zaragoza (Spain)
Nori, Michele - EC-DG Agri, Brussels (Belgium)
Palau, Guillermo - CSIC-Ingenio, Valencia (Spain)
Pueyo, Yolanda - CSIC-IPE, Zaragoza (Spain)
Ragkos, Athanasios - ELGO-DIMITRA, Athens (Greece)
Rivera-Ferré, Marta - CSIC-Ingenio, Valencia (Spain)
Tarhouni, Mohamed - IRA, Medenine (Tunisia)
Vagnoni, Enrico - CNR-IBIMET, Sassari (Italy)
Veiga, María - QUERED (Spain)
Fantova, Enrique - Oviaragón-Grupos Pastores (Spain)
Jouven, Magali - L'Institut Agro Montpellier (France)
Ruiz, Francisco - Shepherds School of Andalucia, IFAPA (Spain)

Applied approach
(lectures, case studies, open discussions, and field visits)

Course in English with simultaneous interpretation into/from Spanish if needed

Face-to face learning

Programme

Brochure
  • 0. Opening and presentation of participants (1.5 hours)
  • 1. Relevance of pastoral systems in the Mediterranean region (2 hours)
    • 1.1. Approaching pastoral farming from a system perspective. Contributions, opportunities and barriers for pastoral systems to face global change
    • 1.2. The Prima PASTINNOVA project approach to Mediterranean pastoralism and linked innovations
  • 2. Technical management challenges: traditions and innovations (6.5 hours)
    • 2.1. Animal husbandry: diversity of resources and grazing behaviour
    • 2.2. Grazing resources management
    • 2.3. New technological tools for improving grazing management: from ICTs to genetic resources
    • 2.4. Traditional knowledge. Value, and how to integrate it into
    • 2.5. Case study: Participatory assessment and management of rangelands
  • 3. Understanding the economic sustainability of pastoral systems (3 hours)
    • 3.1. Market economic analysis of pastoral systems
    • 3.2. Pastoral product development (branding, product definition; consumer behaviour)
    • 3.3. Value chain development: example of transhumance
  • 4. Environmental implications of pastoral systems (7 hours)
    • 4.1. Ecosystem services (ES) framework for the analysis of pastoral systems: concept, methods and approaches
    • 4.2. GHG emissions and carbon sequestration. LCA applied to pastoral systems
    • 4.3. Land degradation and restoration
    • 4.4. Pastoral systems and biodiversity
    • 4.5. Case studies: ES provided by mountain grassland under different management scenarios; co-design process of agri-environmental measures at landscape scale
  • 5. Social and governance aspects in pastoralism (7 hours)
    • 5.1. Resilience, vulnerability, and reproduction of pastoral systems in the face of global change
    • 5.2. Governing the commons, frameworks, and conflicts. The case of land use
    • 5.3. Power relations and pressure groups at different scales (inclusiveness)
    • 5.4. Pastoralism and nature conservation conflicts - wildlife - predation
    • 5.5. Facilitation skills and participatory methods. Organising collective initiatives in pastoralism. Presentation of a real case study or a role game
    • 5.6. Pastoral schools. Case study
  • 6. Public action to promote the role of Mediterranean pastoralism for sustainable livestock production (6 hours)
    • 6.1. Mental models, representations and paradigms driving policies on animal production: How pastoralism could answer the challenges of animal production in the Mediterranean
    • 6.2. CAP, pastoralism and prospects for the new programme period (after 2028)
    • 6.3. The principles of prospective analysis and its application to pastoralism (presentation of the example of Corsica)
    • 6.4. Sanitary regulations in artisanal production - QUERED experience in artisanal cheeses
    • 6.5. Communicating on pastoralism: opportunities and tools
  • 7. Lessons learned and conclusions (1 hour).
  • 8. Field visits: Initiatives and innovations around pastoralism, extensive livestock and territorial development in the Aragon Region, both in semiarid plains and mountain areas

Registration

The course is designed for 30 professionals with a university degree. It is intended for young (under 35 years old) scientists and other professionals, such as technical advisors, consultants, rural development agents, environmentalists, etc., working in public or private organisations, and directly involved in pastoralism research and development in Mediterranean countries.

Knowledge of English will be valued in the selection of candidates, since it will be the working language of the course.

  • Candidates may apply online at the following address: http://www.admission.iamz.ciheam.org/en/
  • Applications must include the curriculum vitae and a copy of the supporting documents most related to the subject of the course.
  • The deadline for the submission of applications is 3rd March 2024. It may be extended if there are places available.
  • Applications from candidates requiring authorization to attend the course may be accepted provisionally.
  • This course is financed by the PRIMA programme so there are no registration fees.
  • Candidates working on pastoralism in Mediterranean countries may apply, during the registration process, for financial support covering totally or partially the cost of travel and full board accommodation in Zaragoza and field visits.
  • Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to other national or international institutions.

It is compulsory for participants to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the course. Those who so wish may participate in a collective insurance policy taken out by the Organisation, upon payment of the stipulated sum.

CIHEAM Zaragoza

Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain

www.iamz.ciheam.org

iamz@iamz.ciheam.org

+34 976716000

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