Framework for a Smart Breeding 4.0 Curriculum: Insights from China and Global Implications

Zhizhong Zhang ()
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Zhizhong Zhang: Joint FAFU-Dalhousie Lab, College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This study proposes a novel curriculum framework for Smart Breeding 4.0 to address the interdisciplinary talent gap in sustainable agriculture. Responding to the limitations of traditional agricultural education, the curriculum was developed through an analysis of emerging technological trends and industry needs. It is structured around four integrated modules: (1) Foundational Theory, tracing the evolution to data-driven breeding; (2) Technology Integration, combining AI and blockchain for precision breeding; (3) Practical Innovation, using real-world platforms for simulation projects; (4) Ethics and Policy, cultivating responsibility through case studies. Teaching emphasizes project-based learning with open-source tools, while assessment combines exams, data analysis, and innovation proposals. Explicitly aligned with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this conceptual framework provides a foundational model for agricultural universities worldwide. The primary contribution of this paper lies in its systematic design; future research will focus on empirical validation through pilot implementation.

Keywords: curriculum design; agricultural education; smart breeding; sustainability; interdisciplinary integration; ethics; educational technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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