The agricultural and food industry is in a state of transition. Not only climate change, but also the increasing demand for healthy and sustainably produced products as well as new regulations and laws are forcing the industry to act. Specialists in the agricultural and food industry must therefore increasingly take international and interdisciplinary contexts into account. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) wants to address this development with a new Master's degree course in agriculture.

Interdisciplinary solutions with a focus on sustainability

The English-language AgriFood Economics, Policy and Regulation degree program at the TUM School of Life Sciences combines agricultural sciences, politics and economics and is unique in Europe. It is aimed at Bachelor's graduates from agricultural and horticultural sciences as well as politics and economics who wish to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment. "The agricultural and food sector is increasingly faced with social demands that need to be harmonized with economic and ecological realities. This requires sector specialists who can develop interdisciplinary solutions and maintain an overview of all the pillars of sustainability," explains Johannes Sauer, who is responsible for the course.

Understanding international interdependencies better

The course begins with the basics of economics, politics, sustainability and new technologies in agriculture. Students can then choose specializations in the areas of (agricultural) economics, politics, ecology or innovation according to their interests and strengths. The course is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the international interdependencies of players in the agricultural and food sector and thus acquire intercultural and interdisciplinary skills. These qualifications are in demand from a large number of potential employers, they say. "The graduates of this new degree course will be in great demand internationally as experts in the social and economic implications of our agricultural production systems and will have a decisive influence on the transformation of the agricultural sector towards greater sustainability and resilience," says Dean Ingrid Kögel-Knabner.

Application period starts in February

The new course will start in the winter semester 2024/2025 and interested students can apply from February 1, 2024. The application deadline is May 31, 2024.