APMA509-Agri-Food Value Chains- CPD

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 0 [0 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Yiorgos Gadanakis
Email: g.gadanakis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This distance learning module encourages students to critically analyse the key concepts in agri-food value chains and their management

Aims:

The module develops a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the Agri-Food Value Chain, its main components, and linkages between them. It also examines the main trends, drivers and issues within the chain, covering aspects from agriculture and its ancillary industries, through to food retailing and catering, with reference to market structure, government intervention and international trade. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be able to:

• Discuss and analyse the structure and components of the Agri-Food Value Chain


• Critically evaluate the main drivers of change and historic and on-going trends


• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the importance of supply chain management with the agri-food supply chain


• Critically evaluate the key problems of the different sectors and the role of governments and other bodies in the food industry sector

Additional outcomes:

• use appropriate tools to identify reliable information and literature on a given topic and demonstrate good academic practice in the use, citation and referencing of source material


• communicate research findings clearly, demonstrating both presentational and analytical skills

Outline content:

Topics covered will include the following:

• The actors within the agri-food value chain: agriculture and its ancillary industries; Food manufacturing and processing; Food distribution; Food retailing; Food service and catering


• Models representing different market structures – perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition; and the influence that food retailers – through their market power – have on the foodsupply chain


• Food policy issues: food safety, food quality, farm animal welfare, sustainability and food, ethical supply chain management, food security, food self-sufficiency


• The rationale for government intervention in food markets, and policy regulatory mechanisms within the food industry


• Trends in food demand: determinants of dietary change and expenditure on food


• Trends in food supply: including international trade and the evolution of international food distribution and retailing over time

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each topic will be introduced with some interactive online material and downloadable materials that will be available to the student permanently.  There will be a series of online discussions and exercises. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no assessment on this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There is no assessment on this module.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

There is no assessment on this module.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

There is no assessment on this module.

Reassessment arrangements:

There is no assessment on this module.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023