Opinion: The case for higher ed in global agribusiness

Opportunities in today’s interconnected world constantly are expanding, but so are the challenges facing businesses, communities and individuals. Preparing students for that reality is an important mission of higher education.

To that end, Missouri State University’s international engagement has grown steadily in recent years, with increasing numbers of international students coming to Springfield and more American students going abroad.   

At its best, international education can provide the opportunity for students, researchers and professionals to work together to address some of the big challenges facing the world.

Today, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to feed a fast-growing global middle class and a projected worldwide population of 9 billion by 2050. The MSU William H. Darr School of Agriculture and the International Leadership and Training Center are tackling this issue by helping educate future farmers and agribusiness leaders in three key regions of the world – southern Brazil, northwest China and the U.S. Midwest.  

Over the past two years, 56 students and faculty from MSU and Brazilian partner university Centro Universitario de Maringa have participated in the Global Agriculture Initiative. Designed as a “home and home” educational exchange, the Brazilian and American participants study topics such as soil management, grain production and animal science. The students attend training sessions, visit farms in both countries and interact with professionals at such agribusinesses like Monsanto, MFA Inc. and the two largest agro-industrial cooperatives in Latin America.  

The combination of academic, practical and cultural experience allows the students and faculty to make the most of their short time together – one week in each country.

The Global Agriculture Initiative has become an annual event so the relationship between Missouri and the state of Parana, Brazil, will continue to grow in the coming years. Both states have similar agricultural profiles, with the main difference being Brazil’s favorable climate allowing for a longer growing season. Farmers can grow wheat, corn and soybeans on the same land each year. This production advantage also presents a significant challenge for maintaining soil fertility – a central topic of study and discussion for the students and professors.  

MSU’s partnership with the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China is even more ambitious. After a 2014 trip to MSU, Ningxia Gov. Liu Hui expressed her vision to develop a knowledgeable and talented workforce to lead the future growth of agriculture in her region, which is a leading producer of wine and one of China’s top areas for grassland resources. Liu asked Jim Baker, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development and international programs, if MSU could help Ningxia reach that goal.

In mid-September, 50 students and 10 professors from Ningxia University arrived in Springfield to begin a yearlong customized educational program in agriculture studies.  The students representing Ningxia University’s wine and agriculture schools will take courses in animal science, agronomy, grape production and winemaking. In addition, the Ningxia students and professors will have an intensive period of English study, as well as participate in professional development and cultural experiences – including tours of Missouri farms, ranches, vineyards, wineries and other agribusinesses.  

Missouri State’s association with the Ningxia Region began in 2004 through a partnership with the Ningxia Forestry Institute that has resulted in collaborative research projects in viticulture, enology, plant pathology and other areas of fruit science.

Through these agriculture leadership programs, we are improving farming production around the globe and learning lessons from our international partners that will benefit Missouri. The chance to interact with international counterparts is a great way to learn about what’s going on in our world, as well as an opportunity to develop business relationships.

Brad Bodenhausen is assistant vice president of international programs at Missouri State University, where he also serves as director of the International Leadership and Training Center. He can be reached at bradbodenhausen@missouristate.edu.