With the world population expected to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, the global food system faces growing challenges to meet demand sustainably. This course examines key issues in food and agriculture, guided by industry experts and researchers. Agriculture is a dynamic, evolving sector. Upon completing this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the modern challenges and innovations shaping the journey from farm to table.
Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
10 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Describe and evaluate sustainable agricultural practices and conservation strategies in food production agriculture.
Examine how consumer behavior and trends influence agricultural practices and food policy.
Explore the evolution and advancements in technological innovations in agriculture and assess their impacts on food production and sustainability.
Investigate the development and impact of key policies and regulations on agricultural sustainability and food production.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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Recently updated!
January 2025
Assessments
6 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 4 modules in this course
In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. In the second part of this module, you will be able to explain the impact of population growth on food demand and agricultural sustainability, describe the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria in agricultural practices, and examine the implications of CO2 pipelines on agricultural land and food production.
What's included
16 videos12 readings2 assignments3 plugins
At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the impact of consumer behavior on agricultural practices and food policy, examine the economic implications of traceability and the farmer's share of the food dollar, and identify global issues related to consumer preferences and food labeling.
What's included
8 videos7 readings1 assignment
At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the technological advancements in agriculture and their rate of adoption, explain the history, use, and application of crop genetics and gene editing, describe the evolution of pesticides and fertilizers and examine opportunities and challenges associated with these inputs, and examine the roles of information technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture and food production systems.
What's included
16 videos4 readings1 assignment2 plugins
At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to explain the historical development and structure of the U.S. Farm Bill, describe the programs and policies included in the U.S. Farm Bill, and examine ways the U.S. Farm Bill impacts food production, agriculture, and consumers. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!
What's included
9 videos9 readings2 assignments
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Frequently asked questions
Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.