Background
Agriculture plays a vital role in the economic growth of many country especially developing countries like of Asia including Thailand, China, India, Vietnam, Malaysia etc. Due the growing industrialization the importance of agri-products has increased several-folds. The food and food-products import-export policies play important role in the overall development of any country and the world as a whole.
In developing countries, since last 25 years, majority of the young people educated, came from agriculture community or from the similar background. But, due to many reasons they have not been able to compete for available jobs, which demand specialized skills and knowledge. Even in their attempts to set up small entrepreneurial activities in non-farm sector they face many problems generally not encountered by such youths in urban areas. All these rural youths can now be supported for new opportunities of entrepreneurship in business activities related to Agriculture. They have the basic understanding of agriculture, which can be utilized for promotion of business enterprises revolve around agricultural activities.
Rationale
As the nature of rural economy of many developing countries of Asia-Pacific region shifts from subsistence farming to commercial food enterprises, a new breed of agribusiness professionals is needed to manage this transformation. The proposed program will cater the unique needs of agribusiness professionals, which comprise of knowledge and skills in elements of agriculture sector policy issues, technology, marketing and finance. Agribusiness professionals are needed in several sectors, including in multinational companies involved in corporate farming, food processing, packaging and marketing, agricultural finance institutions, agricultural cooperatives, animal feed industry, biotechnology industry, fertilizer and pesticide industry, irrigation and mechanical equipment manufacturing, medicinal plants/herbs, and government-initiated rural/agricultural development schemes.
The agri-business management program builds on long standing strengths and experience in research, and internal and external postgraduate teaching in the fields of agricultural production, preservation, processing, agro- and food-industry management and marketing, and in agricultural development.
The program focuses on the potential for and contribution of the agribusiness industry in developing economies. It is aimed at enhancing small business entrepreneurship among primary producers of agri-food products, and traders and other market intermediaries in the value chain. The course is appropriate for entrepreneurs themselves and also for people working in the public sector and non-governmental organizations. Entrepreneurs and others will be enabled to take advantage of opportunities within the agri-food and related sectors, and increase the contribution of these sectors within public and national objectives.
Objectives
Specific objectives of M-ABM are:
1. To train students, academics, researchers and professionals, to develop skills and practices in the area of good agricultural production, appropriate value addition, systematic marketing, food-chain supply and global trade.
2. To enhance the sustainability and capability of agricultural enterprises by providing trained students with knowledge of international standards on food safety and traceability in agricultural production, local and global trade policies etc.
Program Structure
Curriculum |
