Master in Natural Resources Management for Tropical Rural Development

Master in Natural Resources Management for Tropical Rural Development

Food and water security, climate change, access to agricultural markets, land grabbing, conservation of biological and cultural diversity, valorisation of local traditions are some of the major problems that affect the progress of rural areas in the Global South. The level of intensification and the environmental impact of the different possible solutions to face these problems must be carefully considered case by case. Modern technologies can bring consistent increase of productivity in advanced areas; at the same time expensive technologies with high environmental impact cannot be proposed in marginal areas where, instead, sustainable solutions can be implemented with reduced costs and can be based on the scientific modernization of local traditions.

The criteria for enrolling in the Degree Course in Natural Resources Management for Tropical Rural Development (Italian Degree Class LM-69) for the oncoming academic year are:

Graduates from Italian university courses of classes L-25 (D.M. 270/04) and 20 (D.M. 509/99), as well as graduates in Agricultural Sciences, Forestry Sciences and equivalent courses, according to ante-D.M. 509/99 classifications, can access without any integrative activity/course.

Other applicants with a bachelor (BSc) degree in other scientific disciplines, obtained in Italy or abroad and recognized as suitable by the Admission Committe

For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.

Curriculum Agricultural Production

Year 1

• On farm irrigation
• Agroclimatology
• Tropical tree crops
• Crop protection
• Tropical crops
• Farming systems analysis
• Tropical plant ecology
• Optional courses

Year 2

• Machinery systems in tropical agri-food chains
• Rangeland management
• Livestock production systems
• Plant breeding
• Laboratory
• Final dissertation

Curriculum Land and water

Year 1

• On farm irrigation
• Agroclimatology
• Tropical tree crops
• Crop protection
• Tropical crops
• Farming systems analysis
• Irrigation with non conventional waters
• Optional courses

Year 2

• Information technology in irrigation
• Water resources evaluation and management
• Land evaluation
• Agronomy and soil management
• Laboratory
• Final dissertation

Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.

For more information about tuition fee, please visit the university website.

The MSc program is primarily designed for the training of technical experts, researchers, project designers and coordinators in the area of international cooperation for rural development, environmental management in tropical areas and international marketing of livestock, crop and forestry products. Potential employers are to identify within:

• Companies operating in production and marketing of agricultural and livestock products overseas with special focus on tropical and subtropical area
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in development and cooperation
• National and international institutions working on land and water management, agricultural cooperation and development
• National and international institutions responsible for food safety in relation to international trade
• National and international research institutions working on agriculture and rural environment