agribisnis

Agribisnis, or agribusiness, is the set of activities involved in the production, processing, distribution, and marketing of agricultural products. It connects farming with business management, finance, technology, and policy, and encompasses on-farm operations as well as off-farm activities such as processing, logistics, and retailing.

The agribusiness value chain includes input supply (seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, machinery), primary production (crop or livestock farming), post-harvest handling and storage, processing and value addition (milling, oil extraction, canning), logistics and distribution (wholesaling, transport, cold chain), marketing and export, and support services (finance, extension, research, insurance, quality control).

Actors range from smallholder farmers and cooperatives to large agribusiness firms, processors, traders, retailers, exporters, financial institutions, and government agencies. The system often features vertical and horizontal collaboration, including contract farming, partnerships, and supply agreements.

Key sub-sectors include staple crops (rice, maize, wheat), oils and pulses (palm oil, soybean), horticulture (fruits, vegetables), livestock (cattle, poultry, dairy), and aquaculture. Value addition through processing, packaging, and branding is a major focus to raise incomes and stabilize markets.

Challenges include price volatility, climate change and pests, infrastructure deficits, access to credit, and regulatory constraints. Ongoing trends involve technology adoption, digital platforms for farming information and market linkages, improved storage and cold chain, sustainability certification, and policy support to enhance productivity and rural livelihoods.