Would you like to help transform agriculture to impact India’s smallholder farmers positively? Are you proactive, enterprising, and unafraid to present fresh concepts to various stakeholders? Are you looking for ways to innovate the agricultural value chain so that Indian smallholder farmers can earn from farming? Do you want to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental groups that support smallholder farmers? If so, you should consider applying for a position where you can use your professional enthusiasm for leadership in an agribusiness career.
Although a job in agribusiness may not seem like the most obvious choice when pursuing an MBA, it has long been one of the most crucial and evergreen sectors in economies worldwide. Agriculture and food production are not only necessary for a functioning society, but also present many exciting job opportunities and the chance to advance your career in a lucrative industry. Continue reading to learn more about MBA agribusiness jobs if you’re interested in learning more about this industry.
About 17.5% of India’s GDP comprises the agriculture sector, which is the foundation of the Indian economy. One of the largest employers, agriculture satiates the food and nutritional necessities of the nation and produces essential raw materials for several key industries. The agricultural industry has advanced from low-level farming to commercial farming and is now of great commercial importance. However, only 14% of India’s total food products are processed in India, and 35% of it is lost in packing and transportation costs. Due to the development of a new industry called agribusiness and the resulting demand for qualified professionals, agribusiness management has become a popular career choice for the gen-next managers.
Agribusiness is a branch of management that covers a wide range of activities like processing, marketing, distribution, warehousing, and retailing of agricultural products. In addition, it tries to streamline farming processes to keep prices stable. Agribusiness collectively encompasses a wide range of activities, from farm planning, weather forecasting, land research, soil management, seed production, machinery, and plant protection to crop nutrient management, harvesting, marketing of produce, supply chain operations, food processing, retailing, and getting the food to the table. It includes farm planning, weather forecasting, land research, soil management, seed production, machinery, and plant protection.
The agriculture sector is responsible for creating food, obtaining ingredients, putting them together, and distributing them across regions and countries. Aside from farming, the agribusiness sector also entails efficient marketing of food production, consumption, and related goods marketing.
The agricultural sector has become a key industry in a developing country like India. The demand for well-trained and qualified experts and agribusiness managers across all industries—public, private, and cooperative—has created several career opportunities for people with a degree in this field. Many businesses, including farming, real estate, retail marketing, dairy, food processing, and food production, are accessible through an agribusiness career. In addition, Agribusiness encompasses many careers worldwide, from livestock and farming to producing food and human nutrition.
Here are some benefits of specializing in Agribusiness:
How can I pursue an MBA in Agribusiness?
An MBA in agribusiness is one of your best bets if you want a well-paying job in the industry. You will develop knowledge in this field and the business skills necessary to manage various aspects of food production and distribution. In addition to core courses such as leadership, public relations, marketing and strategy, operations, economics, and finance, an MBA in agribusiness also explores specialized modules that help students nurture industry-specific skills.
Several agro-based companies employ MBA agribusiness graduates and offer them long-term and stable careers. Agriculture occupies an important position in every country’s economy, and it is not difficult to decide on a long-term career in agribusiness management. Fresh management graduates are hired as trainees, and after accumulating significant experience, they stand a chance to be promoted to senior positions.
A significant benefit of working in agribusiness is that you can work with companies of all sizes, both in the public and private sectors. It may seem like a niche industry, but it offers a variety of lucrative advancement opportunities, including executive positions and six-figure salaries. Below are some of the most common yet top-tier jobs available in the agribusiness profession:
Apart from the above career options, candidates can also apply for positions such as:
An agribusiness career in the government sector also opens the door to many career opportunities that differ from those in the private sector. For example, students can pursue management positions at the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) or explore career opportunities at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT). In addition, jobs can also be found at the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
Agribusiness management is on its way to the road to success too. There are ample employment opportunities for candidates with management degrees in agribusiness. Candidates may take roles such as agricultural inspectors, quality controllers, and supply chain managers in various agriculture-based businesses. In addition, multinational companies have branches abroad, so it’s easy to get reputable jobs in agribusiness management.
This field favors students with the ability to work collaboratively to deliver services across multiple client sectors while complying with commercial and legal requirements. It will also require a pragmatic approach to solving complex problems and the ability to provide insightful and practical solutions.
Companies are increasingly looking for individuals with excellent communication and presentation skills and commendable negotiation skills to engage with various stakeholders, from market/business partners and farmers to government officials and international colleagues. Such professionals are also entrepreneurial, self-reliant, and proactive in their approach to work.
MBA agribusiness jobs are plentiful. In the next few years, agriculture will become one of the country’s most significant economic drivers and employers. Therefore, there is a dire need for MBAs in this field who can help this industry exceed its potential. A well-rounded understanding of the agribusiness industry is desirable. And if you have worked primarily in all or a few key industry areas, such as farmer services, supply chain strategies, operational excellence, process optimization, system implementation, commodity trading and risk management, sustainability, and business transformation, it will be a bonus.
Prestige University is one of the pioneers in providing unique opportunities for students of MBA in Food & Agribusiness Management. Take advantage of the thriving environment of the food and agribusiness industry and better understand the diverse opportunities in the farm-to-fork food sector. As a student, you will learn by brainstorming and engaging with the dynamic local ecosystem outside the classroom and within it from the leading faculty. With world-class global food and beverage companies and fascinating start-ups looking to change how we grow and consume food, the university offers applicants many perspectives. In addition, you can explore and collaborate with various companies that directly impact the food and agribusiness landscape.
Mentorship at Prestige University helps bring agility and a culture of quality to your program and research agenda to keep up with the ever-changing global landscape. So, whether you are looking to advance your career or seek new opportunities, this program will help you get there!
