Career opportunities
After graduating with a BSc majoring in Agricultural Innovation, you will have the expertise to enable employment in the agricultural and food sector.
You'll have the opportunity to work in many sectors of our economy:
- Biosecurity
- Central government
- Environment protection agencies / ERMA
- Farming or horticulture
- Food manufacturing
- Food assurance programmes (AgriQuality)
- Organic nutrient and fertiliser companies
- Regulatory agencies (regional government)
- Research and development within scientific or corporate entities
- Rural financial service agencies / banking / insurance / accountancy
- Synthetic food production
Innovating the future of farming
Discover Otago’s new Agricultural Innovation degree – where science, business, and sustainability meet. Explore hands-on learning, industry connections, and cutting-edge research to tackle agriculture’s biggest challenges in a changing world.
Read transcript
Kaitlyn Martin:
Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Martin, and I’m going to be the teaching fellow for Agricultural Innovation. This is a brand-new course at Otago. It’s really designed with climate change, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture and it's a brand-new course, it will involve a range of engaging practices, such as going on field trips and working with industry. It will also bring together a diverse group of academics from across the university.
Emeritus Professor Frank Griffin:
Hi, I’m Frank Griffin. I’m a Mercer’s Professor at the University of Otago, and I am the convener of a new degree course called Agricultural Innovation.
Agricultural Innovation is a completely new degree as part of the Bachelor of Applied Science programme at the University of Otago. It’s important to recognise that it is a Bachelor of Applied Science because the structure of that degree is quite different from other degrees in sciences or humanities. The nature of this degree is that it usually involves a combination of subjects.
Whereas agriculture is the primary component of the degree, we combine it with what we call minor subjects to create three possible degree pathways. One is agriculture plus science, which we call AgriTech. Another is agriculture and the environment, which we call AgriEnv. The third is AgriBiz, which combines commerce and agriculture. This structure is quite different from any other degree at the university, which is usually specialised and concentrates on one subject.
Why Agricultural Innovation? We’ve chosen this name specifically because we don’t want to reproduce existing agricultural degrees in New Zealand. You can go to Massey or Lincoln to do basic courses in agriculture, which are largely focused on the amount of food we can produce from the farm system in New Zealand.
We are taking a quite different approach. Instead of concentrating on how much food we can produce, we are focusing on the quality of the food and how we can manage the unique challenges at the interface between urban society and farmers. Farmers are now being held accountable for a whole lot of issues that impact the environment, various production systems, and ultimately the climate.
We want to introduce innovative, science-based approaches to properly evaluate these areas and ensure that the public are informed.
Agriculture is hugely important in New Zealand—it is our largest industry. The statistics show that over 50% of our economy is built around agriculture, and more than 80% of the food we produce is exported.
Agricultural Innovation is a new approach to managing the science involved in agriculture and understanding how it translates into business and environmental impact. This makes the degree distinct.
We have a lot of strengths at Otago, including a research group of over 60 scientists. The degree is a mixture of topics taken from all the schools on campus and provides a new and innovative approach to agriculture and its study.
What will I learn?
The major and minor in Agricultural Innovation are designed to capitalise on the extensive academic and research expertise in agriculture, food and the environment at the University of Otago. The teaching programme is primarily science-focused but also incorporates social, environmental, and economic aspects of agriculture, including traditional and contemporary Māori agriculture and mātauranga Māori.
It provides a coherent and thorough introduction to Agricultural Innovation that accentuates multidisciplinary problem-solving, critical thinking, independence, self-directed learning, and communication skills.
Increased breadth is developed through optional papers, from multiple specialities, linked to study of the natural world, human world, and technical world.
How will I study?
There are a wide variety of delivery methods, including lectures, tutorials, computer and scientific laboratory work, directed readings, and field work.
Each year, you will visit a farm that is an exemplar of all that is best in agricultural production of sustainable, healthy food.
Recommended background
Entry into the Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Agricultural Innovation is open to anyone with University Entrance.
During the first year at university you will be required to take 100-level papers in Agricultural Innovation, Biology, and Chemistry. Taking Year 13 NCEA papers in Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Biology, and Chemistry will be helpful.
While Agribusiness is only available at a small number of secondary schools, it is anticipated it will be available in the majority of schools in the immediate future.
During your first year at university, it is important to consider registering for other papers that are required to obtain a second major or minor in:
- Biological, environmental, physical, or social sciences
- Business
- Economics
- Marketing
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
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Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Agricultural Innovation
Explore postgraduate study in Agricultural Innovation at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunit...
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Uniquely Otago
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Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
More information
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