"Everyone’s a winner" in IFAMA’s 2017 student competition"

What challenges lie ahead for farmers in emerging markets like Guatemala or Mali? How can agribusiness in different parts of the world benefit from an initiative connecting stakeholders throughout the whole food chain – and how does its implementation contribute to sustainable agriculture?

Ronald Guendel (left) and Tomas Zaborowski (second from left) were part of the jury at the student case study competition.

These were some of the questions students discussed at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association’s (IFAMA) annual student case study competition, which was held this year on June 18–19 in Miami, Florida. Every year, IFAMA brings together students from all around the world, providing them with the unique chance to show their leadership skills within the agricultural sector.

“The competition gives students the opportunity to analyze real-world cases involving real-world challenges,” says Ronald Guendel, Global Head of Food Chain Relations at Bayer, who was part of the jury, along with his colleague Tomas Zaborowski, Global Sustainability Manager Seeds. During this year’s event, 81 students worked through complex case studies involving the planning and implementation of a project with key food chain players in their home countries. Students were asked to present a detailed implementation plan, clear objectives, and a realistic budget for their projects. The greatest challenge was timing: Each team had to file their presentation no later than four hours after first receiving the case study.

The winners of the international student case competition: team South Africa.

The students were enthusiastic about the opportunity to meet academics and representatives of the industry and to share ideas with them. “It provides you with a way to get in touch with reality because it was a real company with a real problem and we provided a real solution,” says a former student participant from the University of São Paulo. “But not only students learn to adopt innovative techniques and develop their skills,” says Ronald Guendel. “It is also a learning experience for the many participating members of the industry. At this competition, everyone is a winner.”

For more information:
www.ifama.org/About-Student-Case-Competition
www.foodchainpartnership.cropscience.bayer.com