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University of Adelaide

Understanding Agribusiness, Value Chains, and Consumers in Global Food Systems

University of Adelaide via edX

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Overview

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Agribusiness is at the core of most economies around the world. The business of feeding peopleremains both complex and extremely important. According to the World Bank, food and agribusiness is a US $5 trillion industry that represents 10 percent of global consumer spending.

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 bythe 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.

Syllabus

Week 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; andidentify the actors in, and characteristics of, value chains, demonstrated with the building of a value chain model.

Week 2: Agribusiness market dynamics

In this section of the course, you'll learn how torecognise 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; andrecognise the basic characteristics of supply and demand curves.

Week 3: The role of the consumer

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

Week 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.

Course end: December 31, 2025 at 00:00 UTC.

Taught by

Professor Wendy Umberger, Elizabeth Gunner, Craig Johns and Dr. Alexandra Peralta

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Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 5 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at edX based on 14 ratings

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  • Jennifer M Stephens
    This is an excellent course for anyone who is interested in agribusiness, and who does not have a strong background in the subject. I took the course because I would one day like to run a small, sustainable organic farm, and create my own line of organic face creams and lotions. I feel that the ways companies market their products to consumers are very interesting and will be helpful to me one day.
  • Ragib Das Gupta
    Agribusiness, Value Chains, and Consumers in Global Food Systems is the most valuable way to reduces malnutrition and increased encouraging nutritious food habit to our community peoples. In that case increase stunting, wasting and under weight rate in future at all level.
  • Mayzin
    I am interested agribusiness because I am an agriculturist and my goal is towards sustainable agricultural development. Our country base on agriculture. Nowadays farmers who has low education level and they use chemical pesticides. I want to give our public safety food. So I learnt this course.
  • Anonymous
    A great way to learn about business concepts, learning the value and supply from input providers through to the consumer. A lightweight course that leaves you wanting to learn more, very refreshing and well put together.
  • Anonymous
    I came to realise the significant of Agribusiness particularly in my country as potential for agriculturist to become rich, and to be able to discover that hidden potential one should involve value chain which I believe is key to meet the market demand and consumer preference. Having the opportunity to learn the requisite knowledge is going to be a big boost to my career as an Agribusiness practitioner.
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