New Agricultural Enterprise Management Program Helps Agriculture Thrive

There’s perhaps no field in Canada under going such an exciting and transformative change as the agri-food sector. Experts predict that by 2050, global food productionwillneedto increasebyalmost 70percent if we are to feed the world’s ever- expanding population. Those working in agriculture and the agri-food sector in Canada, as elsewhere, need to be aware of the increasing diversity of issues and opportunities that affect food production and food security. While nothing ever did really operate in isolation, the connectivity and increasing complexity of the global food industry today requires us to apply a different lens to the food value chain, from primary food production to consumer-demand and consumption. Technology, transportand logistics, climate change and carbon footprints, food quality and traceability, animal welfare, and ‘alternative’ proteins, or globalisation and food security, to name a few, are all in play.

In an effort to address the many ‘ business’ opportunitiesandconstraintslinkedtoagriculture and the agri-food industry, the Dhillon School of Businessattheuniversityoflethbridgedeveloped anewagri-businessprogramentitled“agricultural Enterprisemanagement.” Throughthe very generous support ofdr. Cor vanraayandthe Alberta Government, the Dhillon School launched the new program in September 2019 as part of its Bachelor of Management degree, designed to developgraduateswithan enhanced understanding of the business aspects of agriculture and agri-food management, both at home and abroad.

The goal of the programis to promote the business aspects of agriculture and the agrifood sector. It is designed to introduce students to new technologieswhichwill enhance productivity on the farm; to explore the adaptation of systems and business processes whichhelp simplify traceability and strengthen food security; andto lookmore closely athowthe core functional areas of business (i.e. finance, operationsaccounting, HR, marketing, andstrategy) are best employed and adapted to help this critical industry thrive.

“Our programis designed to further enhance the ‘ business of food,’ and produce graduates ready to meet the needs and challenges of the global food industry,” says Dr. Kerry Godfrey, Deanof thedhillonschool ofbusiness. “There are more jobs in agri-business than there are graduates tofill those jobs. Our programis intended to respond to that demand, and provide graduates readyto takeonthechallenge, locally, nationally, and around the world.”

With its special focus on experiential learning, another way the University of Lethbridge Dhillon School of Business prepares students for opportunities in agri-food management is through its annual Cor Van Raay Agri-business Casecompetition. Operated in partnershipwith Lethbridge College, this competition brings teams of students together fromacross the Prairies to examine an agri-business problem and present their solutions to a panel of agri-food experts. “Agri-business is a multi-billion- dollar industry with huge potential for business students. Asanag innovationhub, Southern Alberta is the perfect place to learn about the business of food and food production. Agri-business is an excitingand continually evolvingindustrywith a bright future in Canada,” says Godfrey.

There are more jobs in agri-business than there are graduates tofill those jobs.