With the human population expected to reach over 8 billion people by 2030 according to the UN, managing future food security is of vital importance. Food and feed production industries worldwide are facing an increasing number of challenges that impact on food availability and access. The ever-increasing risk of inadvertent spread of pests and diseases due to international trade and travel means biosecurity is now crucial to protect our food supply chain.

Develop a sound understanding of what food security is, including the pillars underpinning food security and the key challenges now and in the future. Your core focus will be on understanding the long-term vision and strategies required to ensure that present and future generations will have on-going food security, achieved in ways that do not impact on the environment.

You’ll explore policies that underpin food security and trade in a global context, and be able to investigate the concept of producing, protecting and providing food to ensure sustainable food production for present and future generations.

4 reasons to study a Master of Food Security at Murdoch

• This course is one of a kind in Australia and draws on Murdoch’s strong research strengths in crop and pasture and agricultural biotechnology, where we have an Excellence in Research rating of well above world standard.
• Learn from teaching staff who have significant practical experience ensuring learning is at the forefront of professional practice.
• Benefit from our strong ties to industry and to conduct projects that focus on in-depth analysis of an issue of relevance in the workplace.
• Learn from case-studies that highlight the practices involved in food security.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• recognising the global challenges to food security
• understanding the range of agronomic, environmental, socio-political and economic factors impacting on the food supply chain
• discovering the magnitude of food losses caused by pests and diseases
• developing solutions to a chosen global food security issue.

Our students have successfully gained employment in the public and private sectors, including the consulting industry in Australia and overseas.

You will be able to pursue careers in fields such as agriculture and international development, acting in policy, technical, research and administrative roles within organisations such as the State or Federal Departments of Agriculture or development agencies, and private industry, or their international counterparts.

Careers could include:

• Intergovernmental Advisor
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Agricultural Consultant.

Professional recognition

Graduates of this degree will be eligible to apply for membership to societies such as the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and the Australian Society of Horticultural Sciences.