Agribusiness refers to the integrated industry encompassing all operations involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products. The term itself is a blend of "agriculture" and "business," and was popularized in 1957 by Harvard professors John Davis and Ray Goldberg through their seminal book *A Concept of Agribusiness*.[2][4] They described agribusiness as the total system including farm supply manufacturing, farm production, and the storage, processing, and distribution of farm commodities. This concept revolutionized how agriculture was understood, shifting the view from isolated farming to a complex, vertically integrated system involving multiple actors such as corporations, government institutions, research bodies, and financial entities.[3][6] Historically, agribusiness evolved from traditional farming practices dating back to colonial times in the U.S., where early crops like wheat and tobacco were cultivated by settlers. The establishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1862 marked a turning point, promoting scientific farming and policy support.[1][5] Over time, technological advances and industrialization transformed farming into a large-scale, mechanized sector dominated by corporate agribusinesses. This shift brought significant increases in productivity but also raised concerns about environmental impacts, market volatility, and the decline of small family farms.[1][7] Key achievements of agribusiness include the development of vertically integrated supply chains that control pricing and distribution, enhancing efficiency and market coordination.[4] The establishment of agribusiness education programs, such as the first undergraduate curriculum in the Philippines in 1966, helped professionalize the field globally.[2] Agribusiness today remains central to global food security and economic development but faces ongoing challenges such as balancing corporate influence, sustainability, and rural livelihoods.[3][6] In summary, agribusiness is a comprehensive system that has reshaped agriculture into a sophisticated, business-driven sector combining farming with technology, policy, and global commerce. Its history highlights the transition from small-scal
#latin_america #land_defenders #environmental_justice
A new report highlights the increasing dangers faced by Indigenous communities and the role of corporations in attacks against defenders in Latin America.