AP - Challenges Facing Agriculture Today Meta Analysis Of Expert Interviews

Identification of the major trends that will impact on the agriculture operating environment in the next five to ten years was the first topic addressed in over 20 interviews with recognized experts from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada. They also identified the major challenges and opportunities that those trends created for farm operations, what skills and information could be of assistance to farm managers, and successful methods of delivery. Challenges and opportunities identified are: new crops and products, changing thinking to a market focus, using new technology, using appropriate business models, alliances & networks, succession strategies, benefiting from interdependence, and increased market volatility. Meeting these challenges and opportunities will require development of specific skills and sources of information. Delivery options included electronic means, but the importance of interaction between people was confirmed.

Keywords: challenges, opportunities, trends, interviews, skills, information.