Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science Program in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science Program in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness is designed to cultivate graduates who are proficient in applying economic principles and business acumen to drive sustainable agricultural development. The curriculum's philosophy emphasizes analytical skills, research capabilities, ethical conduct, and the use of modern technology, creating a strong foundation for addressing complex sustainability challenges. The program directly contributes to economic goals by fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing the efficiency of agricultural value chains (SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 9). It addresses food security and responsible production by teaching sustainable farm management, marketing, and policy analysis (SDG 2, SDG 12). Furthermore, by integrating courses on environmental economics and sustainable agriculture, the program addresses critical environmental issues (SDG 13, SDG 15). As a whole, the curriculum provides a high-quality education (SDG 4) that prepares graduates with the leadership and ethical grounding (SDG 16) to build partnerships (SDG 17) for a resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1: No Poverty

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Alignment Summary: The program directly targets poverty reduction by equipping students with the skills to improve the economic viability of agricultural enterprises. Courses focusing on farm business management, finance, and project appraisal provide the tools to increase farm income and build economic resilience in rural communities, which are often most affected by poverty.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 201	Principles of Agricultural Economics	Provides a foundational understanding of economic principles in agriculture, essential for developing policies and business strategies that improve farmer livelihoods and reduce poverty (Target 1.A).
153 313	Agricultural Finance and Investment	Addresses poverty by teaching financial management and investment principles for agriculture, empowering farmers with the knowledge to access financial services and build assets (Target 1.4).
154 301	Agribusiness Entrepreneurship	Contributes to poverty reduction by fostering the creation of new businesses and employment opportunities in the agricultural sector, thereby increasing local incomes (Target 1.2).

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: This program is central to achieving Zero Hunger by focusing on the economic and policy frameworks that underpin a stable and sustainable food supply. Students learn to analyze agricultural markets, manage farm businesses for higher productivity, and understand food security policies, all of which are critical to ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 303	Agricultural Marketing	Contributes to ending hunger by teaching how to improve agricultural marketing systems, which helps reduce food loss and ensures that food reaches consumers efficiently (Target 2.3).
153 423	Sustainable Agriculture and Environment	Directly supports the implementation of resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, helping to maintain ecosystems and progressively improve land and soil quality (Target 2.4).
153 433	Food Security and Policy	Explicitly addresses food security by analyzing the policies and economic factors that ensure all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food (Target 2.1).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: The program provides a high-quality, specialized education that equips students with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship in the agribusiness sector. Through a curriculum that includes research methods, practical training, and cooperative education, it ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the modern workforce.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 211	Mathematics for Agricultural Economists	Provides students with the necessary numeracy skills for technical and vocational roles in agricultural economics, contributing to their employability (Target 4.4).
153 481	Research Methods in Agricultural Economics	Promotes quality education by teaching systematic research skills, enabling students to contribute to knowledge creation and lifelong learning in their field (Target 4.7).
AG 004 785	Cooperative Education in Agriculture	Ensures an inclusive and equitable quality education by providing extensive practical work experience, which substantially increases the skills relevant for employment (Target 4.4).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The entire program is oriented towards promoting sustained economic growth and creating decent work in the agricultural sector. It focuses on enhancing economic productivity through business management, entrepreneurship, and innovation, preparing graduates to lead and grow agricultural enterprises.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 202	Principles of Farm Business Management	Supports higher levels of economic productivity by teaching students how to efficiently manage farm resources, leading to better financial performance and decent work (Target 8.2).
154 301	Agribusiness Entrepreneurship	Directly encourages entrepreneurship and the creation of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are key drivers of job creation and economic growth (Target 8.3).
153 454	Human Resource Management in Agriculture	Promotes decent work by teaching principles of effective human resource management, which is essential for protecting labor rights and promoting safe working environments (Target 8.8).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The program fosters innovation and supports the modernization of the agricultural industry. Students learn to apply research, technology, and innovative business models to enhance the agricultural sector's productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 481	Research Methods in Agricultural Economics	Enhances scientific research (Target 9.5) by providing students with the skills to conduct research that can lead to innovation and technological upgrading in the agricultural industry.
154 442	Digital Marketing in Agribusiness	Supports industrial upgrading and innovation by teaching the use of modern digital technologies for marketing, which is crucial for the competitiveness of agribusinesses (Target 9.b).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum addresses economic inequality by focusing on policies and business strategies that can improve the incomes and financial inclusion of small-scale farmers and rural populations. By understanding agricultural finance and policy, graduates can contribute to creating more equitable economic opportunities.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 313	Agricultural Finance and Investment	Helps to reduce inequality by promoting financial inclusion for small-scale producers, enabling them to invest in their farms and improve their economic standing (Target 10.1).
153 433	Food Security and Policy	Addresses inequalities by analyzing policies aimed at ensuring everyone has access to food, which often involves social protection policies for the most vulnerable populations (Target 10.4).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable communities, particularly in rural areas, by strengthening economic links between agricultural producers and markets. Understanding agricultural and natural resource policy is key to inclusive and sustainable regional planning.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 411	Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy	Supports strengthened national and regional development planning by analyzing policies that link rural (agricultural) and urban development for sustainable communities (Target 11.A).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: This program is key to promoting sustainable production patterns in agriculture. It teaches the efficient management of natural resources, the economics of reducing food loss, and the principles of sustainable agriculture, preparing graduates to lead the shift towards more responsible practices in the food system.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 423	Sustainable Agriculture and Environment	Directly focuses on achieving the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, a core component of responsible production (Target 12.2).
153 411	Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy	Contributes to responsible production by analyzing policies that promote sustainable practices and the efficient use of natural resources in agriculture (Target 12.2).
153 303	Agricultural Marketing	Addresses the reduction of food losses along production and supply chains through efficient marketing and logistics, which is a key aspect of responsible consumption and production (Target 12.3).

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program integrates climate change considerations into agricultural planning and policy. By studying sustainable agriculture and environmental economics, students learn to develop strategies that can help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 423	Sustainable Agriculture and Environment	Improves education and awareness on climate change adaptation and impact reduction by teaching agricultural practices that are resilient to climate-related hazards (Target 13.3).
153 411	Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy	Contributes to integrating climate change measures into national policies and planning by analyzing policies related to environmental and natural resource management (Target 13.2).

SDG 15: Life On Land

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum addresses the economic drivers of land use and promotes the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems. Courses on sustainable agriculture and natural resource policy teach students to value and manage land resources in a way that conserves biodiversity and prevents degradation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 423	Sustainable Agriculture and Environment	Promotes the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems by teaching agricultural practices that maintain soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services (Target 15.1).
153 411	Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy	Supports the integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning (Target 15.9) by analyzing policies that govern the use and conservation of land and other natural resources.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program fosters strong institutions by educating future leaders in agricultural policy and business who are grounded in ethics and social responsibility. Understanding agricultural law and policy is crucial for developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions that govern the agricultural sector.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
153 411	Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy	Contributes to the development of effective and accountable institutions by analyzing the policies and governance structures that regulate agriculture and natural resources (Target 16.6).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: This program promotes partnerships by preparing graduates to work effectively across different sectors, including government, private business, and community organizations. The cooperative education program provides a direct mechanism for building multi-stakeholder partnerships between the university and the agribusiness industry.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AG 004 785	Cooperative Education in Agriculture	Directly encourages and promotes effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience of partnerships (Target 17.17).
154 301	Agribusiness Entrepreneurship	Contributes to partnerships by preparing graduates to create businesses that will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, from local producers to international markets (Target 17.17).