Make a difference through the study of local and global Agribusiness

04 Jul 2018

Agriculture is big business in 2018. A far cry from the self-sustaining communities before the industrial revolution, the agriculture industry is now responsible for maintaining global food production, coping with overpopulation and solving world hunger.

The agriculture industry is responsible for sustaining us and our environments. Juggling natural processes with human needs, the sector is to thank for the food in our supermarkets, the aid packages delivered to undernourished communities and the ecosystems the earth has come to depend on.

From micromanaging biodiversity to mass farming crops, agriculture blends small-scale projects with bigger global issues, solving real-world issues that affect every human on the planet.

Whether you’re a city worker in Tokyo or a refugee in the US, every living person is dependent on agriculture for their sustenance and survival. From the food we eat to the medicine we take, agriculture is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of everyone on earth.

Agriculture has evolved over the past century, growing from a community activity into a multibillion dollar industry. As globalisation, world populations and the quality of life has increased, the field has adapted to increased demand. People now seek variety and better quality of everything; from perfectly curved bananas to tonnes of animal feed.

Source: Lincoln University

To meet these changes in consumption, the industry has implemented fool proof business strategies and innovative technologies to streamline production processes.

International collaboration comes together with global planning, resource allocation, distribution strategies and technological innovation in 21st Century agriculture to give the world what it needs.

You’ll learn how to develop, explore and implement these elements in an Agribusiness and Commerce degree, moving through the fundamental agriculture principles and the business essentials needed to make a difference in the field.

More than just learning the principles of growing and harvesting crops for food, medicine and everything else, you will explore the core economic principles needed to grow and sustain the industry, as well as the business and communication strategies needed to market the products.

This is essential knowledge for driving the industry fin a world so focused on increasing GDP. An understanding of how to maximise Return on Investment and predict market trends are crucial when responding to global changes in agricultural demand.

Source: University of New England

While a degree in Agriculture will explore the techniques and solutions you will be implementing, an Agribusiness and Commerce degree takes you deeper into the ‘what’, but also the ‘how’.

How to collaborate with systems in other countries to raise efficiency, how to implement new machinery to increase output, even how to market your finished product to maximise sales revenues; you will leave with the expert knowledge that will help you propel the field.

If you want to delve deeper into not only the ‘what’ but the ‘how’ of Agribusiness and Commerce, consider these three leading institutions…

FACULTY OF AGRIBUSINESS AND COMMERCE – LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

As New Zealand’s third-oldest university, Lincoln provides students with a world-class education that’s been tailored over 140 years. With employment rates 15 percent higher than other New Zealand higher education providers, this school’s knowledge culture gets real-world results.

At the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, undergraduates have a range of industry-relevant courses open to them. The Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing focuses on the food business amidst consumer trends. The programme prepares you for a career in the agri-food sector with a specialisation in food marketing.

Source: Lincoln University

Alternatively, you can follow the Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) degree, preparing you for leadership roles in the farming and agribusiness sectors. You’ll learn the fundamental principles of the industry as well as the economic and business strategies needed to implement successful growth. The course equips you to tackle real-world issues, in the field and in the market.

If you’d rather go down a more specialised route, you can study the Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture and Professional Accounting). This programme focuses on the financial side of agriculture and farming, allowing you to carve a niche in the industry.

If property is your passion, the Bachelor of Land and Property Management will prepare you for a career in rural, as well as urban valuation and property management. This degree is accredited in New Zealand as well as internationally through the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – recognized throughout Asia.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS AND LAW – UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND (UNE)

After being awarded five stars in the Good Universities Guide, the University of New England offers students a top-class education which promises the highest student support, teaching quality and graduate prospects.

Source: University of New England

Undergraduate students have a choice of programmes within the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law, including Agriculture, Agriculture Production and Management, Agriculture and Business, allowing you to explore whichever area of agriculture interests you most.

Postgraduate students can choose to the study the Graduate Certificate in Environment, a range of Master’s courses or a PhD with the faculty.

These courses are tailored to students’ career goals, with a focus on helping students develop industry-relevant skills. Whether you want a career in research, enterprise, technology or farm management, the University of New England has specialised paths to help you achieve.

“My best experience at UNE was the tremendous support I had received from my supervisors during the entire period of my PhD. My supervisors were highly accessible and supportive whenever I had any difficulties with my study,” said alumni student Hawlader Al-Mamun

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE – UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO

Focused on responding to the global challenge of overpopulation, the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Agriculture prepares you to tackle some of society’s biggest issues.

Based in the dynamic hub of Tokyo, studying at this faculty will allow you to gain a broad perspective on the issues that affect the east and west. Offering a career-driven student experience, here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside leading academics and passionate peers.

Source: Shutterstock

Students can choose to Major in Agricultural and Resource Economics, which has an emphasis on ensuring there is enough food and greenery to sustain our environment for generations to come.

The department offers students the opportunity to study a comprehensive variation of science that contributes to the agricultural field, including:

Restoring natural environments
Analyzing the behavior of wild animals
Conservation and usage of forests
The scientific aspects involved with housing and shelter
Usage of water resources; soil sciences
The development of medicinal resources
Siences concerned with the security and safety of food
Techniques for processing and preserving food products
Research on the functionality of food items
Putting microorganisms to use in foods and the environment

This is the ideal place to begin your agriculture career, instilling a broad overview of the processes involved and ensuring you leave ready to tackle any challenge.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International