Methodology in economics and the role of agricultural economics; Specifics of agricultural markets and the agricultural sector; Price formation on the land market; The impact of technological change on factor and product prices and the adjustment of the agricultural sector; Evaluation of agricultural policies:The limits of cost-benefit analysis based on traditional welfare economics; The importance of market failure; The importance of governance; A framework for policy assessment.

This course allows the student hands-on opportunity to use in a holistic manner the various techniques learned (agribusiness management and entrepreneurial techniques) to design and implement a business along the agricultural value chain, i.e. producea viable plan for a new venture. Frameworks and guidelines that can be used to formulate strategies relevant in the contemporary agri-business environment. Emphasis will be placed on real world application in agribusiness theory through the building of an effective business plan, case study analysis and interaction with the agribusiness sector. Outside practitioners will provide front line insight to the real life issues, challenges and skills needed to fund and launch a successful venture. Students in teams take a multi-disciplinary approach to the preparation and presentation of a professional business plan. The teams will present their plans to a group of venture investors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and operating executives.

Introduction: Entrepreneurship, Traits of an Entrepreneur, Opportunity Seeking and Recognition; The entrepreneurial ventures business environment; Assessing business opportunities in the international market; Strategies which entrepreneurial firms can use to go international; Getting mature entrepreneurial firms to go international; Acquiring existing businesses in international markets; The strategic management of the entrepreneurial firm; Managing in a growing international firm; Cross cultural issues in managing an international firm; Networks and the internationalization of the entrepreneurial firm; Assembling resources for international operation; Raising financing for international business transaction;

Overview of unit operations. Raw material handling & storage for the prevention of deterioration. Introduction to material and energy balances; energy utilization. Good manufacturing practices. Valueadded agricultural products (with specific reference to products of local and regional significance: food, feed, fuel, fibres, essential oils) and processing technologies (for example high and low temperature processes, distillation, dehydration, concentration, use of preservatives, fermentation, filtration, irradiation, etcetera) used in their production. Modern packaging technology. Quality Control concerns. Records and traceability. Waste Management

Production systems of crops/plants including vegetables, roots and tubers, tree crops, agroforestry, ornamentals, fibre crops and bio-fuels, forages, pastures and turf, beverage crops, herbs, spices and medicinal plants. Soil and nutrient management practices for crop production. On-farm water management/irrigation and drainage management. Protected agriculture-greenhouse, biotechnology and plant breeding and propagation techniques. Agricultural mechanization and use of ICT and GIS.

What is livestock development? Livestock classes including aquaculture and poultry, Sustainable livestock development, Choice of livestock production technology breeding (AI, embryo transfer); feeds/feeding system; feed/nutrition, health, housing, Livestock production systems, Integrated systems, Factors influencing livestock development, Livestock products /Harvesting practices Demand for livestock products, Marketing of livestock products. Role of Government and Private sector in the livestock industry.

This course defines agriculture, traces its historical development and describes its importance to the economy, with special emphasis on the tropics and the Caribbean. The relationship between agriculture and food supply is considered. Special attention is paid to the physical and technical aspects of agriculture and the relationships between the crop, livestock, agro-processing, marketing and distribution sub-sectors. Introduction to fundamental concepts of crop and livestock production. Provides an overview of crop and livestock production and deals with major species of livestock in the CARICOM region, along with the factors that affect their productivity and profitability.

The role and importance of the environment for social development and as a life support system. The nexus between agriculture and the environment. Agro-ecosystems structure and dynamics. Economic of environmental resources: market failure and environmental degradation, externalities and public goods; optimal resource use/extraction and approaches for management of renewable resources. Concept of watershed as a management unit, hydrology, soils, natural forest, biodiversity and land use. The impact of agricultural practices on the environment viewed from an ecosystem perspective; deforestation, soil erosion/degradation, flooding, irrigation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Case studies of impacts related to various agricultural systems: crops and livestock, subsistence and plantation farming, hillside and erodible soils, pesticide and chemical application, irrigated agriculture. Integration of the concepts and issues discussed in designing sustainable agro- environmental systems for the tropics; focus on small island states.