LOJK10292U Agricultural Value Chains in Developing Countries
MSc Programme in Agricultural Economics
MSc Programme in Environment and Development
MSc Programme in Global Environment and Development
Sustainable development of the agricultural sector is recognized as an important factor in the economic growth of all developing countries. This recognition has led to a growing interest among governments, development agencies and large privat firms to support business development and integration of farmers in markets and value chains. As a consequence of the increasing globalization and internationalization of markets, agricultural value chains are becoming ever more global and complex. Local farmers and agribusinesses are offered new opportunities by this increasing globalization as well as urbanization and sharp increase in responsible sourcing programs of private firms. However, participating in local, national and global markets is not without challenges, as farmers are often faced with many institutional and economic barriers and lack access to inputs, information and capacity building.
Professionals working in the agricultural sector need to understand the inherent complexity of agriculture-based value chains and the dynamic interaction among different types of actors. In this course we aim to provide the participants with knowledge, skills and competences to analyse agricultural value chains in developing countries. The course will address the following main topics:
The role of the agricultural sector in developing economies
Different value chain analysis approaches for value chain development and research
Value chain trade-related issues such as value addition, value distribution, transaction cost, and innovation and upgrading
Value chain management-related issues such as chain governance, institutional setting and enabling environment, and the roles of civil society, the private sector and the State
Value chain interventions from different actors including NGOs, businesses, international traders, wholesalers and retailers
Poverty aspects and smallholders’ access to markets, including farmer cooperatives, partnerships, and outgrower schemes
Sustainability in agricultural value chains: standards and certification
Gender equality and equity and environmental issues in agriculture and agribusiness development
Value-chain research methodology
By focusing on agricultural value chain analysis, the course will target students that want to obtain an understanding of the mechanisms that govern agribusiness in developing countries. The analytical steps include mapping and characterizing agricultural-based value chains, and addressing barriers to entry, value added and distribution, upgrading opportunities, chain governance, and critical factors in the enabling environment. The course will be useful for professionals working in international agricultural development organizations, agribusiness research, donor organizations, public agencies, national extension services, agribusiness development services, and private agribusiness enterprises.
After completing the course the students should be able to: Knowledge
Skills
Competencies
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A synthesis of key literature, supplemented with key articles and reports as well as online videos. All available on the Absalon course page.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 44
- Preparation
- 66
- Practical exercises
- 12
- E-Learning
- 10
- Excursions
- 5
- Project work
- 68
- Exam
- 1
- Total
- 206
The students will continuously receive feedback from the lecturers on their group work. The students will also provide written and oral peer feedback to fellow students during the group work.
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment, Made during the blockOral examination, 20-25 minutes
- Type of assessment details
- Students will be assessed on the basis of: i) individual
contributions to a group project written report and ii) an oral
examination.
A written group report based on group work must be handed in before the oral exam. Contributions to the group report must be individualized and clearly indicated. In the oral exam, each student has 20-25 minutes available. Topics/questions in the oral examination are partly based on the group project report. The student will be asked to discuss one or more specific issues identified (by examiners) as critical points in the report as well as general terminology, concepts and theories related to agricultural value chains.
Weight: 40% group project report, 60% oral exam. The final grade is a weighted average. In order to pass the course, the grade for each of the project report and the oral exam must be a pass grade. - Exam registration requirements
In order to attend the oral exam, the student must participate in the group project presentation and report writing, as well as pass or participate in 80 % of the online e-modules.
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
The reexam will be an individual assignment report based on the group project and an oral exam. The report counts 40% and the oral exam counts 60% of the final grade. The student has 5 days to complete the assignment with all aids allowed. The oral reexam takes 20 – 25 minutes, is without preparation time, and no aids are allowed. Questions are partly based on the project report and general terminology, concepts and theories related to agricultural value chains.
The final grade is a weighted average.
Criteria for exam assesment
Fullfilment of the Learning Outcome is required to obtain the
grade 12
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LOJK10292U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Aske Skovmand Bosselmann (2-6465436c697572316e7831676e)
Lecturers
Aske Skovmand Bosselmann
Guest lectures from IFRO researchers
Guest lecturers from international NGOs and companies