Course title
Principles and Potentials of Agribusiness   [Principles and Potentials of Agribusiness]
Course category   Requirement   Credit 1 
Department   Year 1  Semester 3rd 
Course type 3rd  Course code 01ia1003
Instructor(s)
千年 篤, 草処 基   [CHITOSE Atsushi, KUSADOKORO Motoi]
Facility affiliation Faculty of Agriculture Office afjgxte/L1151  Email address

Course description
This course discusses the broad spectrum of agribusiness, with an emphasis on markets and agribusiness agent behavior therein. We provide the fundamentals of production, marketing and distribution throughout the food supply chain (food system). Topics also include strategies of agribusiness firms, food safety and risk analysis of food.
Expected Learning
A student is expected to understand the fundamentals of agribusiness, specifically, the distinct features and challenges of modern food and agricultural systems.
Course schedule
1C. Introduction, Overview of agriculture, agribusiness, and agricultural markets, Explanation of assignment (own project)
2K. Basic economics: supply and demand, market equilibrium
3K. Behavior of agribusiness agents: private firms vs. cooperatives
4K. Strategies of agribusiness firms: price discrimination, integration, scale economies and scope economies
5C. Presentation by students (I), Branding and certification
6C. Food safety and risk analysis
7C. Presentation by students (II)
8C. Summary, Final examination

** The order of a series of lectures above may change due to some unexpected events.
Prerequisites
Understanding basic microeconomics is preferred, but not required.
In addition to 15 hours that students spend in the class, students are recommended to prepare for and review the lectures, spending the standard amount of time as specified by the University and using the lecture handouts.
Required Text(s) and Materials
No specific text book is used.
Some materials will be distributed in class while other references will be announced. One of references is given below.
References
Cliff Ricketts and Kristina Ricketts, Agribusiness: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd ed.), Delmar, 2009.
Assessment/Grading
In-class discussion (15%), Project presentation (25%), Final examination/Term paper (60%)
Message from instructor(s)
Course keywords
Basic economics, agribusiness agents, branding, food safety, risk analysis, SWOT analysis
Office hours
Right after each lecture or by appointment through E-mail upon request.
Remarks 1
Understanding basic microeconomics is preferred, but not required.
Remarks 2
Despite the spread of the new coronavirus infectious disease, COVID-19, this course will be conducted through face-to-face in class since the expected number of enrollments is small. The materials will be distributed in class. Some of them may be uploaded in Google Classroom for this subject.
Related URL
Lecture Language
English
Language Subject
Last update
9/8/2020 9:44:22 PM