Agriculture and AgribusinessAgribusiness Value Chain Management
Agricultural produce loses value from the moment it is harvested and is grown by many small producers who each supply a little, which makes aggregation, quality consistency and timing the central problems rather than production itself. This course covers the chain. Delegates work through value chain mapping and where margin actually sits, sourcing from smallholders including aggregation models, contract farming and the side selling that undermines them, and quality grading and standards at the point of collection. Post harvest handling, storage and losses are covered, since they are the largest avoidable cost. Processing, packaging and market access follow. Traceability and certification for export are addressed. The course closes on finance across the chain and on price volatility.
Course objectives
- Map a value chain and identify where margin actually sits
- Design aggregation and contract farming models for smallholder supply
- Address side selling and contract enforcement realistically
- Grade and apply quality standards at the point of collection
- Reduce post harvest losses through handling and storage
- Meet traceability and certification requirements for export
- Arrange finance across the chain and manage price volatility
Who should attend
- Agribusiness managers and buyers
- Cooperative and farmer organisation leaders
- Development and value chain programme staff
- Processors and exporters of agricultural produce
- Agricultural finance and extension personnel
Course outline
- 01Losing value from the moment of harvest
- 02Value chain mapping and margin
- 03Smallholder sourcing and aggregation
- 04Contract farming and side selling
- 05Grading and quality at collection
- 06Post harvest handling, storage and losses
- 07Processing, packaging and market access
- 08Traceability, certification, finance and price volatility
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 14 October 2026 | Lagos, Nigeria | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 27 January 2027 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 15 to 17 March 2027 | Harare, Zimbabwe | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 29 to 31 March 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |