Agriculture

Course Description:

Agricultural industries make a significant contribution to Australia’s economy through investment, employment of skilled workers, consumption of products from other sectors of the economy and export. Agricultural products contribute significantly to Australia’s export income. The total chain, from the farm and the research laboratory to the processing plant, retail outlet and exporter, accounts for a major portion of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Australia’s agricultural industries must undergo significant and continuous change to maintain and possibly enhance this contribution to the Australian economy.

Agriculture’s dynamic nature results from the increase in knowledge and the application of technology to the production, processing and marketing of products in complex national and international marketplaces. This complexity has political, social, ethical, economic and environmental implications for Australia. The majority of consumers are isolated from the production and processing of food and fibre. This course provides students with an understanding of the relationships between production, processing and consumption to enable them to participate in debate on the impact of each upon society and the environment.