Course Overview
The Agri-Food Value Chains course enables participants to develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the Agri-Food Value Chains, their main components, and the linkages between them. It also examines the main trends, drivers, and issues within the chain, covering aspects from agriculture and its ancillary industries to food retailing and catering, with reference to market structure, government intervention, and international trade. Each topic will be introduced with some interactive online material and downloadable materials that will be available to the participant permanently. There will be a series of online discussions and exercises. Contributions to the discussions will be monitored and may form part of the assessment. Feedback and contributions from the course convenor or deliverer will be the primary source of formative assessment.
This course would broadly apply to professionals within the agri-food sector, particularly those involved in food manufacturing, processing, distribution, retail, and catering.
Learning outcomes:
As a result of completing this course, you will have developed a robust knowledge of the entire value chain as it pertains to the agrifood sector, with a detailed understanding of individual components and their complex interactions. Successful completion will enable participants to:
- Discuss and analyse the structure and components of Agri-Food Value Chains
- Critically evaluate the main drives of change and ongoing historic trends
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the importance of supply chain management with the agri-food supply chain
- Critically evaluate the critical problems of the different sectors and the role of governments and other bodies in the food industry sector
Additional Course Information:
Topics covered will include:
- The actors within the agri-food value chain
- Models representing different market structures
- Food policy issues
- The rationale for government intervention in food markets and policy regulatory mechanisms within the food industry
- Trends in food demand
- Trends in the food supply
Key facts:
| Course Dates | 24 April 2023 |
| Type/Duration | 8 Weeks online |
| Entry Requirements | Graduate level or relevant experience |
| Credits | 10 |
| Cost | £850 |
| Fee info | |
| CQFW Level | 7 |
| Course Provider | University of Reading |
| Provider Reference Number | APMA109 |
| Course Arrangements | Full joining instructions will be confirmed by the course provider. |
| Course Location | Online, University of Reading |
| Cohort | Continued Professional Development |
| Course Logistics | Delivered entirely online through the University of Reading’s Virtual Learning Environment over an eight-week period, it is suggested that material is reviewed every week; however, participants may vary their speed of learning to suit their requirements. The course is available as Continued Professional Development or with the award of 10 academic |
| Tutor | Edward Collins |
Contact details:
Contact Name for Enquiries: Fiona Lee or Cathy Crips
Email address: epth@reading.ac.uk
Telephone Number: 0118 378 3312 or 0118 378 8722