Understanding Agribusiness, Value Chains, and Consumers in Global Food Systems (edX)

In a global food system impacted by growing populations, economic growth, globalization, climate challenges, disruptive technologies, and evolving consumer demands, we must find smarter ways to produce food and to operate food businesses.

Guided by the team at The Centre for Global Food and Resources, this course will introduce the concepts at the heart of agribusiness; including value chain thinking, the dynamics of markets, and the changing nature of consumer behavior.

You will learn what it is that sets agribusiness apart from other business sectors and the difference between supply chain and value chain thinking. You will gain an understanding of food markets and the distinctive factors that influence them. There will be a focus on the role that consumers play in the value chain - why they make the food choices they do and what changing food demand means for agribusiness. This course will showcase Australian agribusinesses, providing genuine insights into the concepts discussed.

In an increasingly complex sector, this course will help you think differently about the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for agribusiness.

What you'll learn

- How to recognize the characteristics of Global Food Systems

- The multiple variables impacting Global Food Systems

- How to identify value chain thinking and how it differs from supply chain thinking

- The characteristics of agri-food markets, what influences their supply and demand, and what sets them apart from other markets

- The role played by external factors such as population and income growth, globalization, climate change, technology, and international trade in global food systems, agribusiness and value chains

- How to recognize the role the consumer plays in the food system, markets, and value chains

Syllabus

Section 1:Global food systems and value chains

In this section, you'll learn how to recognise the characteristics of global food systems; identify the variables impacting global food systems; identify value chain thinking and how it differs from supply chain thinking; identify the role that external factors (for example, population and income growth, globalisation, climate change, technology and international trade) play on global food systems, agribusiness and value chains; and identify the actors in, and characteristics of, value chains, demonstrated with the building of a value chain model.

Section 2: Agribusiness market dynamics

In this section of the course, you'll learn how to recognise the characteristics of agri-food markets, what influences their supply and demand, and what sets them apart from other markets; identify the role that external factors, such as population and income growth, globalisation, climate change, technology and international trade, play on agri-food markets; interpret the key elements of supply and demand; and recognise the basic characteristics of supply and demand curves.

Section 3: The role of the consumer

In this section of the course, you'll learn how to recognise the role the consumer plays in the food system, markets and value chains; recognise the consumer characteristics, trends and behaviours that influence value chains; and recognise some of the techniques used in market and consumer research to better understand consumer behaviour.

Section 4: Your next steps

In this section you will gain additional insights into how you can apply your new skills and knowledge in the agribusiness sector, and what your possible next steps might be if you wish to further your study in this area.