Indian agriculture is on the move towards commercialization. Agriculture which provides livelihood means to 70 percent of our population is still the backbone of our economy. Our food security, nutrition security and growth of the industrial sector are closely linked to the performance of the agricultural sector. Agriculture also provides the critical inputs required by many industries. 

The Green Revolution launched in the 1960’s with the support of hybrid seeds, advanced production technology and chemical fertilizers and pesticides had the saluting effect of making India self-sufficient in food production. However, the whole thrust of the strategy was on production and productivity enhancement with no effort to migrate agriculture into an Agri-business enterprise. But today in the wake of globalization and sweeping economic liberalization, India is all set for the Second Green Revolution targeted to make Indian agriculture globally competitive. The thrust of the new strategy is to enhance the income of the farmers through efficient value chain management (value addition, packaging, branding and organized retailing) of agricultural commodities. 

Food processing , Agro processing , Production of agricultural inputs( Planting materials, Fertilizers , Farm equipments and Machinery ), domestic and global trade in agri products , management of agricultural credit institutions, management of warehouses and cold chains, agriculture policy formulation, futures markets in agri-commodities, organized retailing, management of market intelligence and information services , agro services, etc. are some matured and emerging sectors of agri-business. 

These sectors are attracting substantial foreign and domestic direct investment. Consequently the rising agri-business is on the search for a large number of professionally bred agri-business managers to man the various stages of the value chain system. 

Having sensed the high potential of the agri-business sector to generate new managerial positions, several leading Public and Private educational institutions are on the bee-line to start management education programmes specializing in agri-business.  Unlike the traditional management courses, the opportunities and facilities for pursuing agri-business management courses are limited even at the national level. The MBA in Agri-business Management offered by the Kerala Agricultural University is unique in this backdrop. 

Based on a curriculum vetted by domain experts, the course churns out a new breed of managers capable of owning and operating agri-business enterprises of global scale and standards. 

We are confident that the MBA programme offered in the College of Co-operation, Banking & Management, an ICAR accredited institution of Kerala Agricultural University, is an excellent opportunity for all aspirants of Agri-business Management.  

                                                                  K.R.Viswambaran