Agribusiness Course

Course Description

Welcome to the fascinating world of Agribusiness! This intermediate-level course delves into the heart of the global food industry, a $5 trillion sector that accounts for 10% of global consumer spending. As we face growing populations, economic shifts, climate challenges, and evolving consumer demands, the need for innovative approaches to food production and business operations has never been more critical.

Guided by experts from The Centre for Global Food and Resources, you'll explore the unique aspects of agribusiness, including value chain thinking, market dynamics, and consumer behavior. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what sets agribusiness apart from other sectors and how to navigate its complexities.

What You'll Learn

• Characteristics of Global Food Systems and the variables impacting them
• Value chain thinking and its distinction from supply chain thinking
• Agri-food market dynamics, including supply and demand influences
• The impact of external factors such as population growth, globalization, and climate change on food systems
• The crucial role of consumers in the food system, markets, and value chains
• Techniques used in market and consumer research
• Real-world applications of agribusiness concepts, showcasing Australian agribusinesses

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are required for this course. However, a basic understanding of business concepts and an interest in the food and agriculture sector would be beneficial.

Course Content

• Global food systems and value chains
• Agribusiness market dynamics
• The role of the consumer in the food industry
• External factors influencing agribusiness (e.g., population growth, climate change, technology)
• Supply and demand in agri-food markets
• Consumer behavior and market research techniques
• Application of agribusiness skills in real-world scenarios

Who This Course is For

• Business professionals looking to expand into the agribusiness sector
• Agriculture enthusiasts seeking to understand the business side of food production
• Students of business, economics, or agricultural sciences
• Entrepreneurs interested in food-related startups
• Anyone curious about the complexities of the global food system

Real-World Applications

• Developing strategies for agribusiness companies
• Improving supply chain efficiency in food-related industries
• Conducting market research for new food products
• Analyzing consumer trends to inform business decisions
• Addressing sustainability challenges in food production
• Navigating international trade in agricultural products
• Innovating solutions for global food security issues

Syllabus

Section 1: Global food systems and value chains

• Characteristics of global food systems
• Variables impacting global food systems
• Value chain thinking vs. supply chain thinking
• External factors influencing food systems and agribusiness
• Building a value chain model

Section 2: Agribusiness market dynamics

• Characteristics of agri-food markets
• Supply and demand in agri-food markets
• External factors influencing agri-food markets
• Key elements and curves of supply and demand

Section 3: The role of the consumer

• Consumer's role in food systems, markets, and value chains
• Consumer characteristics, trends, and behaviors
• Market and consumer research techniques

Section 4: Your next steps

• Applying new skills and knowledge in the agribusiness sector
• Further study opportunities in agribusiness