AGRIBUSINESS Beyond the farm gate
For many years agricultural production aimed at the export market was NewZealand’s economic backbone, and even today the primary industries continue to dominate international trade.
But New Zealand is a long way from its key markets and, now more than ever, producers have to be innovative, responsive and clever in order to remain competitive. Agribusiness is at the interface between agriculture and commerce, and there is growing demand for people with skills to work in this area. College’s new Agribusiness programme, for boys in Years 12 and 13, allows students to unlock the potential of the primary sector. It looks beyond the farm gate to the complete supply chain – including manufacture, production, operations, storage, processing, distribution, marketing and sales. Agribusiness students gain knowledge of the whole system, as well as the interaction between science, business, technology, society and consumers, and the environment.
Teacher Mike Field says he “jumped at the chance” to lead the Agribusiness programme. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to look closely at the commercial aspects of the primary industries, to look at the production cycle and work out how to add value at each stage of the supply chain. It covers so much. The lessons are interesting, focused and relevant. The primary industries employ thousands of people in all sorts of capacities and I hope
studying Agribusiness inspires some of our boys to look at career options in this important sector of the economy.” With a range of teaching and learning activities both in and outside the classroom, Mike would like to see College become the “go to” school for Agribusiness in Canterbury.
“ I hope studying Agribusiness inspires some of our boys to look at career options in this important sector of the economy .” Mike Field
Enterprising Year 12 Agribusiness students survey people’s attitudes about eating insects
College Issue 34 2018
29
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker