Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Agriculture

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Agriculture

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program is intrinsically designed to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development. The curriculum's philosophy is rooted in producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable in modern agricultural sciences but also possess an entrepreneurial mindset, teamwork skills, and the ability to adapt to a changing global context. This holistic approach ensures a strong alignment with multiple SDGs. The program directly tackles food security and sustainable farming practices (SDG 2), responsible management of natural resources like soil, water, and biodiversity (SDG 6, SDG 14, SDG 15), and promotes climate-resilient agriculture (SDG 13). Furthermore, by emphasizing modern agricultural business, technology, and innovation (SDG 8, SDG 9), and focusing on knowledge transfer and community development (SDG 1, SDG 4, SDG 17), the curriculum prepares graduates to be key agents in creating a sustainable, food-secure, and economically vibrant future for communities in Thailand and beyond.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1: No Poverty

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Alignment Summary: This program contributes to alleviating poverty by empowering students and communities with the knowledge and skills for sustainable and profitable agriculture. Courses in agricultural extension and farming systems are designed to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, thereby directly addressing rural poverty.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 143 401	Farming Systems	Aligns with poverty reduction by teaching students to analyze and develop farming systems that improve the economic viability and resilience of smallholder farmers (Target 1.4).
AG 163 102	Socio-economic Development in Agriculture	Directly addresses the economic dimensions of poverty by examining policies and development approaches aimed at improving the economic and social conditions in the agricultural sector (Target 1.B).

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: The core of this program is dedicated to ending hunger by advancing knowledge in sustainable food production systems. Courses across all majors—from crop science and animal science to soil fertility and pest management—aim to increase agricultural productivity, improve food quality, and ensure the resilience of food production systems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 143 201	Economic Field Crop Production	Directly supports sustainable food production by teaching methods to increase the productivity of staple food crops, contributing to food security (Target 2.3 & 2.4).
AG 133 101	Economic Vegetable Production	Addresses the need for improved nutrition (Target 2.2) by focusing on the efficient and sustainable production of vegetables, a key component of a healthy diet.
AG 001 205	Principle of Livestock and Aquatic Animal Production	Contributes to ending hunger by teaching principles of sustainable animal and aquaculture production, increasing the availability of protein sources (Target 2.1).
AG 123 351	Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition	Aligns with sustainable agriculture (Target 2.4) by focusing on managing soil health and plant nutrients, which is fundamental to maintaining and increasing crop yields.
AG 113 301	Plant Disease Control	Supports the goal of ending hunger by equipping students with skills to prevent crop losses due to diseases, thereby securing the food supply (Target 2.1).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to good health by focusing on the production of safe, nutritious food and promoting well-being through creative agricultural practices. Courses address issues like agricultural chemicals, food safety, and the development of agriculture for health and wellness.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 001 005	Creative Agriculture for Well Being	Directly promotes well-being through the concept of agriculture for health, sustainable environments, and ecotourism, contributing to healthy lives (Target 3.4).
AG 103 006	Insecticides and Application	Supports good health by teaching the safe and proper use of insecticides, reducing the risk of human exposure to harmful chemicals from food production (Target 3.9).
AG 113 302	Agricultural Chemical for Plant Disease Control	Aligns with Target 3.9 by educating on the responsible use of agricultural chemicals to control plant diseases, minimizing chemical hazards in the food chain and environment.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: This program embodies quality education by providing comprehensive and modern agricultural knowledge. It equips students with the technical and vocational skills needed for sustainable development, while the agricultural extension major specifically focuses on providing lifelong learning opportunities for farming communities.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 163 101	Agricultural Extension Methods	Directly supports lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by teaching methods to effectively educate farmers and rural communities on new agricultural practices.
AG 003 301	Basic Statistics for Agricultural Research	Provides students with technical and vocational skills, including research capabilities, that are relevant for employment and sustainable development (Target 4.4).
AG 004 785	Cooperative Education in Agriculture	Enhances quality education by providing students with practical, on-the-job experience, significantly increasing their skills for employment (Target 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum integrates principles of sustainable water use and management. Courses on irrigation, soil and water conservation, and watershed management directly address the need for water-use efficiency and the protection of water-related ecosystems in an agricultural context.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 002 001	Basic in Farm Mechanics and Irrigation Systems	Contributes to water-use efficiency (Target 6.4) by teaching the fundamentals of irrigation systems, which are crucial for sustainable water management in agriculture.
AG 124 445	Soil and Water Management and Conservation	Directly addresses the protection of water-related ecosystems by teaching methods to conserve soil and water resources, reducing agricultural runoff and pollution (Target 6.6).
AG 123 314	Watershed Management	Aligns with Target 6.5 by focusing on the integrated management of water resources at a watershed level, involving the protection and restoration of ecosystems.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The program is designed to foster economic growth in the agricultural sector by preparing graduates to be entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. Courses on modern agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and agricultural economics equip students to create decent work and contribute to a productive and sustainable economy.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 153 001	Modern Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness	Directly supports economic growth and decent work by equipping students with the skills to start and manage modern agricultural businesses (Target 8.2 & 8.3).
GE 363 789	Creative Entrepreneurs	Promotes productive employment and decent work (Target 8.5) by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and creativity applicable to the agricultural sector.
AG 163 402	Agricultural Community Entrepreneur	Contributes to local economic growth by teaching students how to develop and support entrepreneurial activities within rural communities (Target 8.3).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This program is a hub for agricultural innovation, teaching students to apply modern science and technology to upgrade the agricultural industry. Courses in precision agriculture, biotechnology, and agricultural mechanics drive the technological advancement necessary for sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 002 002	Precision Agriculture	Fosters innovation (Target 9.5) by teaching the application of modern technologies like remote sensing, GIS, and IoT to make agriculture more efficient and sustainable.
AG 003 303	Agricultural Genetics and Biotechnology	Enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities (Target 9.5) by applying genetic and biotechnological tools to improve crop and animal production.
GE 341 512	ABCD for All Professions	Promotes innovation by introducing students to key digital technologies like AI and cloud computing, which are increasingly crucial for modernizing the agricultural industry (Target 9.b).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable communities by addressing the link between agriculture, environment, and society. Courses on community development, environmental science, and landscape gardening help build resilient and sustainable rural and urban communities.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 163 301	Community Analysis for Agricultural Development	Supports the development of inclusive and sustainable communities by teaching participatory methods to identify and address local agricultural and community needs (Target 11.A).
AG 123 202	Fundamentals of Environmental Science	Contributes to sustainable communities by providing foundational knowledge on environmental issues, pollution, and resource management, essential for sustainable planning (Target 11.6).
AG 133 302	Landscape Gardening and Turf Grass Management	Aligns with providing access to safe and inclusive green public spaces (Target 11.7) by teaching the principles of designing and maintaining gardens and green areas.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: This curriculum strongly promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns. It focuses on achieving the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, reducing food losses, and managing agricultural chemicals and wastes in an environmentally sound manner.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 164 602	Sustainable Agriculture	Directly promotes sustainable production patterns by teaching holistic agricultural systems that are environmentally sound and resource-efficient (Target 12.2).
AG 124 419	Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management	Addresses the environmentally sound management of wastes (Target 12.4 & 12.5) by teaching principles of waste control and management relevant to agricultural production.
AG 134 402	Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Commodities	Contributes to reducing food losses along production and supply chains (Target 12.3) by teaching techniques to manage and preserve horticultural products after harvest.

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program integrates education on climate change and its impacts on agriculture. It prepares students to contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation by teaching about agricultural meteorology, resilient farming systems, and the relationship between land resources and climate change.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 143 004	Agricultural Meteorology	Strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1) by studying the influence of climate factors on agriculture.
AG 124 417	Land Resources Ecology and Climate Change	Improves education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation and adaptation (Target 13.3) by directly addressing the impacts of climate change on land ecosystems.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

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Alignment Summary: The program supports the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems. Through courses on aquatic animal production and watershed management, it provides knowledge on how to minimize the impact of agriculture on water bodies and manage aquatic resources sustainably.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 001 205	Principle of Livestock and Aquatic Animal Production	Contributes to the sustainable use of aquatic resources by teaching the principles of aquaculture, which can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks (Target 14.4).
AG 123 314	Watershed Management	Supports the protection of marine and freshwater ecosystems by teaching how land-based activities within a watershed impact water quality and aquatic life downstream (Target 14.1).

SDG 15: Life On Land

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Alignment Summary: A significant portion of the curriculum is dedicated to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. Courses in soil science, ecology, conservation, and biological pest control are fundamental to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of land and halting biodiversity loss.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 002 201	Principles of Soil Science	Directly supports the goal to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil, which is crucial for terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.3).
AG 124 445	Soil and Water Management and Conservation	Promotes the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems through practices that prevent soil erosion and land degradation (Target 15.1 & 15.3).
AG 104 001	Biological Control of Insect Pests and Weeds	Contributes to the conservation of biodiversity by promoting pest control methods that rely on natural ecosystems and reduce the need for chemical pesticides (Target 15.5).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program fosters the development of effective and inclusive institutions at the community level. Through courses on agricultural organizations and project management, students learn to build and manage accountable and participatory farmer institutions, which are vital for rural development.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 164 601	Agricultural Organization and Institutions	Contributes to developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (Target 16.6) by focusing on the management and strengthening of farmer organizations.
AG 164 303	Project Management in Agriculture and Community Development	Promotes responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making (Target 16.7) by teaching students how to plan and manage community-based agricultural projects.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program, particularly through its Agricultural Extension major, is fundamentally about building partnerships. It trains graduates to act as intermediaries who share knowledge and technology between research institutions, government, and local communities to achieve sustainable development goals.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 001 004	Farmers and Agricultural Development Communication	Enhances partnerships by developing skills to communicate and transfer knowledge and technology to farming communities, a key aspect of multi-stakeholder collaboration (Target 17.6).
AG 163 101	Agricultural Extension Methods	Directly supports partnerships for sustainable development by teaching the principles of working with communities and other stakeholders to implement agricultural improvements (Target 17.17).
AG 004 785	Cooperative Education in Agriculture	Builds partnerships by placing students in governmental and private sector organizations, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to achieve the SDGs (Target 17.17).