ACE3039 : Rural Enterprise Diversification (2009)
| Semester 2 | 10 Credits |
| ECTS Credit Value | 5.0 |
Summary
Rural enterprises have become more diversified. Currently, about 50% of farms have some diversification activity. This module will consider the scope of diversification, the reasons for it, the formulation and appraisal of business plans using a range of examples of agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises. Information and understanding is achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars, visits and a diversification team-exercise based on an example of a local, rural estate. After completing the module, students will be able to apply key principles and procedures for proposal, evaluation and establishment of different diversification enterprises in practice.
Aims
To encourage students to:
1. Understand reasons for diversification in agriculture.
2. Understand the principles and practice of diversification (on-farm, agricultural diversification and on-farm non-agricultural diversification).
3. Consider the effects of diversification at the systems and enterprise level on the individual farm business, the agricultural industry, the rural environment and sustainable development.
4. To provide students with technical, scientific and economic information about 'alternative' production systems, crop and animal enterprises and examples of non-agricultural diversification.
5. To develop multi-disciplinary skills of researching, organising and presentation of relevant information in verbal and written forms both individually and in teams.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Background and Overview.
Definition and scope of Diversification, aims and objectives, past and recent trends.
2. Enterprise diversification
Agricultural Enterprises.
Non-Agricultural Enterprises.
Principles, planning and establishment.
Policy, legislation and support, measures.
3. Specific 'on-farm' case studies
Agricultural enterprises
- Crops: energy, fibre medicinal.
- Animals: food, fibre, recreation.
- Technical, financial and other aspects.
Non-Agricultural enterprises
- Leisure, tourism, direct sales, environmental schemes.
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should:
1. Understand the reasons for enterprise diversification in agriculture.
2. Be aware of the major on-farm diversification opportunities that exist and their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Have acquired knowledge of the science and technology of specific alternative systems and enterprises, their physical and economic performance and the policy framework which underpins them.
4. Appreciate the potential effects of diversification at the farm business level and on agriculture at the national level in physical, environmental and socio-economic terms.
(The emphasis will be on enterprise diversification within agricultural systems but examples of on-farm non-agricultural diversification will be considered.)
Intended Skill Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should have improved their general skills in the critical analysis and evaluation of scientific, technical and business information. The assessment exercise will help to improve student skills in teamwork, information gathering, oral presentation and written communication and evaluation of individual's contributions through the peer assessment exercise.
Teaching Rationale And Relationships
Lectures present the key facts about, principles of, and implementation procedures for diversification of rural enterprises, that are needed by students to develop a clear understanding of the subject. Seminars, presented by outside speakers who are experts in particular aspects of rural enterprise diversification, expand upon the material covered in lectures, provide illustrative examples and give an opportunity for discussion and elaboration of particular topics. Farm visits enable students to identify potential opportunities for on-farm diversification and see examples of a range of agricultural and non-agricultural diversification projects in commercial situations.
Reading List
- (Essential reading)
Notes: Reference lists of specific texts and papers in the relevant literature are provided for each subject area.
Staff
| Dr Stephen Wilcockson |
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| Dr Paul Bilsborrow |
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| Dr Philip Cain |
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| Mrs Gillian Butler |
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