A Systematic Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Modern Pedagogical Approaches in Developing Competencies for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is essential to solving global food security, environmental preservation, and climate change challenges. Still, a significant issue is effectively incorporating sustainable agriculture into educational initiatives. This systematic review aims to compare old educational and contemporary strategies for cultivating skills related to sustainable agriculture. The review focused on research contrasting traditional and modern teaching techniques, course content, and learning results. It also conducted a systematic search that thematically examined 32 peer-reviewed studies between 2013 and 2023. The findings show that conventional methods prioritize contextual knowledge and practical skills, such as field- and apprenticeship-based learning. On the other hand, contemporary methods such as technology integration and problem-based learning encourage the development of creative solutions, interdisciplinary understanding, and systems thinking. A set of competences, including technical expertise, critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills, can be effectively nurtured through a balanced mix of conventional and new approaches, as revealed by the comparative analysis. Notwithstanding, executing these hybrid models encounters obstacles associated with institutional resistance, resource limitations, and educators' need to engage in ongoing professional development. The findings guide educators and institutions in developing a more sustainable agriculture program.