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751-5201-10L 5 Credits MSC D-USYS

Tropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods (with Excursion)

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Johan Six, Dr. Kenza Benabderrazik

IMPORTANT: Students enrolling in this course are strongly recommended to verify their availability for the two-week excursion and consider potential overlaps with other courses, exams, excursions, and projects.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:13:56

Abstract

This course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems and food systems. Students gain practical knowledge of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods for tropical soils and agroecosystems. An integral part of the course is the two-week field project in the Mount Kenya Region, which is co-organized with the University of Embu (Kenya)

Objective

(1) Overview of the major land use systems in Tropical agroecosystems in several contexts Africa (2) Interdisciplinary analysis of agricultural production systems (3) Knowledge on methods to assess agroecological performance of a tropical agroecosystems (4) Hands-on training on the use of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods. (5) Gain practical knowledge on how to assess to climate resilience and farming systems. (6) Collaboration in international students and stakeholders

Content

This course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems. Students of ETH Zürch will work together with the students from Embu University (Kenya) in an interdisciplinary and intercultural team. Students will focus on the Agroecological performance and climate resilience of diverse farming systems in the Mount Kenya Region. From June 14th to 27th, the students will take part in a field course in the Mount Kenya Region. Students will then gain practical knowledge on field, meeting several stakeholders of the agricultural and food systems and conducting various assessments related to climate resilience and farming systems.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Registration & Places

Signup End: 24.02.2026

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Tropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods This course involves several sessions: 1) Information meeting Tuesday 17th February 2026 (18:15-19:00) 2) Four preparatory meetings on Tuesdays in May 2026 (18:15-20:00) 3) Excursion to Kenya on 14th to 27th June 2026. Interested students are required to submit a cover letter stating their motivation to participate in this class to Kenza Benabderrazik ( ) until Friday 20th February 2026.	No time listed	140 h semesterly

Offered In

Agricultural Sciences Master
- Major in Animal Sciences
  - Methodology Competences
    - Project Management for Scientific Research
- Major in Plant Sciences
  - Methodology Competences
    - Design, Analysis and Communication of Science
- Major in Agriculture Economics
  - Methodology Competences
    - Project Management and Communication of Science
- Minors
  - Functioning of Soil Systems
  - Sustainable Agricultural Development (The minor Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development was revised and renamed for the academic year 22/23. The course units that were previously offered are still part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development minor.)