UGA Bulletin Logo

International Agricultural Development


Course Description

Analysis of international development programs, stressing the developing world's perspective. Study of issues affecting international cooperation, agricultural development and sustainability, technology transfer, and extension education.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will write an extra paper on issues of international agriculture and will also be expected to do extra readings.


Athena Title

International Ag Development


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in ALDR 4710, AFST 4710, LACS 4710 or ALDR 6710, AFST 6710, LACS 6710


Non-Traditional Format

This course will be taught 95% or more online.


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the students will be able to do the following: 1. Describe the international agricultural situation. 2. Contrast agriculture in developing vs. developed nations. 3. Synthesize research on international agricultural development. List and describe institutions serving agriculture at the global level. 4. Describe the role of the Land Grant University in international agriculture. 5. List and describe factors affecting agricultural development around the world. 6. Outline the effects of regional culture, language, economics, religion, and politics on regional agricultural development, human resource development, and agricultural extension and education. 7. Describe the transfer of technology in agriculture. 8. List and describe leadership principles for working with agricultural personnel from different areas of the world and in cross-cultural settings. 9. Analyze the leadership role of the agricultural advisors in developing nations, and list situations and problems they could face. 10. Debate major issues in international agricultural development.


Topical Outline

1. The international agricultural situation: A developing world's perspective 1.1. World population and human development indexes 1.2. Agriculture in developing vs. developed nations 1.3. Life, farmers, agriculture, technology, land, and environment in developing nations 1.4. International agricultural research and technology Institutions serving agriculture in developing nations 1.5. The role of the land grant University in international agriculture 1.6. Analysis and discussion of case studies 2. Agricultural development and transfer of technology 2.1. Principles of technological change 2.2. Factors affecting agricultural development 2.3. Effects of regional culture, language, economics, religion, and politics on regional agricultural development, human resource development, and agricultural education 2.4. Education, extension, and research needs 2.5. Case studies on regional cultures as related to agricultural development, HRD, and agricultural extension and education 3. The leadership role of the agricultural advisor in developing nations 3.1. Leadership principles for working with agricultural personnel from different areas of the world 3.2. Roles, issues, techniques, conditions, characteristics, and preparation affecting the success of the agricultural advisor in developing areas 3.3. Situations and problems faced by the agricultural advisor in cross-cultural settings 3.4. Case studies 4. Issues in international agricultural development


Syllabus