Peru Study Tour:
Agriculture, Markets, Food and Culture
March 14-22nd 2010
(Photos courtesy of Carlos Sala/Prom Peru)
Registration is now open for the 2010 Peru Study Tour. Apply now to reserve your space!
The Impact of Globalization
Rapid globalization has created new challenges as well as potential business opportunities for Midwest-based agribusinesses in the United States. In the past decade, Midwest food producers, processors, and marketers have witnessed unprecedented consolidation among global food retailers and in food distribution systems that are now requiring:
- A 360-day access to supply
- Higher-quality products at lower prices
- Greater product diversification and assortment, and
- More service-oriented business models
These new requirements have placed intense pressure on small and medium size agribusinesses in the Midwest to provide year-round supply and expand product diversification while still maintaining quality, but these Midwestern firms face two daunting challenges:
- Midwestern agribusinesses remain dependent on a seasonal production scheme, due to their geographical location.
- In contrast to the huge multinationals, midwestern agribusinesses lack the resources and contacts necessary to establish direct business connections with growers in Latin America who could provide high-quality counter-seasonal products and greater product diversification/assortment at lower prices.
Fortunately, Latin American growers and processors are increasingly gearing their production to the global market and currently possess the capacity to directly supply Midwestern agribusinesses. With this new focus on meeting global demand, growers and processors in Latin America are also beginning to require access to more sophisticated agricultural technology and equipment, which has created new market opportunities untapped by Midwestern equipment and technology companies. In addition, as Latin American food retailers have grown and consolidated mirroring the global trend, they are increasingly demanding greater access to more novel products for their customers, opening an attractive market opportunity for producers in the Midwest.
With their very survival potentially at stake, small and midsize agribusinesses in the Midwest deserve special assistance from regional agricultural and land grant universities to establish business networks in Latin America that can help these firms meet the new requirements of the global marketplace and exploit new market opportunities abroad. The need for this assistance is particularly urgent given that Midwestern firms remain locked out of emerging market opportunities just as the supermarket movement is sweeping across Latin America and as the maturing agricultural sector in Latin America is increasingly requiring access to sophisticated agricultural technology/equipment available in the United States.
The Center for Global Agribusiness at the University of Missouri-Columbia has unique access to and knowledge of Latin American agribusiness. The Institute of International Agriculture at Michigan State University is a world-class research university with staff highly experienced in organizing agricultural study tours. These partnering institutions are ideally positioned to help bridge this divide between Midwest agribusinesses and their Latin American counterparts by offering a study tour to Peru focused on building new business networks and creating new market opportunities.
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Why Study Agribusiness in Peru?
Learn about Peruvian food and agricultural industry, with special focus on Peru’s agricultural production system, current state of agricultural technology, and internal market and export-oriented agricultural supply chains.
Explore potential entrepreneurial initiatives, joint ventures, and partnerships, including:
- Building business networks in Peru through business matching sessions.
- Exploring current and potential markets for US agricultural technologies in Peru including irrigation systems, food processing equipment, etc..
- Investigating new product opportunities, including specialty, gourmet, and niche products.
- Exploring untapped sourcing opportunities – learning to exploit Peru’s diverse production regions and potential for offering counter-seasonal products.
Study the cultural, political, and business environments in Peru specifically and in Latin America generally. Gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to conduct business in this important region of the world.
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Who Should Participate in the Program?
- Food Processors
- Ingredient Producers
- Growers
- Extension Specialists
- Food Distributors and Marketers
- AG Equipment Company Representatives
- Food Processing Equipment Representatives
- Specialty and Gourmet Food Producers, Distributors, and Retailers
- Others Interested in Agriculture and Markets in Peru
- Others Interested in the Culture of Peru
Please note that spouses are encouraged to attend. Peru is beautiful and fascinating country to explore. In fact, the Sacred Valley is considered one of the most desirable locations to visit on the planet, and Machu Picchu itself is ranked as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
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Who Are Your Program Hosts?
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Dan Dutkiewicz, Michigan State University |
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Jose Cisneros, University of Missouri
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The Itinerary
Day 1: Lima Day 2: Lima
Afternoon:
Evening:
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Day 3: Lima-Trujillo
Afternoon:
We’ll assess technology levels, capacity, and sanitary conditions during our visits. Through this process, we’ll gain critical insight into 1) the feasibility of sourcing from this area and 2) the possibilities of marketing US technology and equipment in this region of Peru.
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Day 4: Trujillo to Lima
Afternoon:
Evening:
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Day 5: Lima
Afternoon:
Evening:
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Day 6: Lima to Cuzco
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 Dan Dutkiewicz at the Sacred Valley |
Since contemporary Peruvian culture is deeply rooted in the Incan past, and Cusco is the historical capital of the Inca Empire (and still remains the cultural heart of Peru today), it is necessary to contextualize our broader learning in Peru by visiting key cultural sites in and around this city. In this fashion, we quickly will grow to appreciate the justifiable pride that many Peruvians express when considering the incredible architectural, astronomical, and mathematical accomplishments of their ancestors
Evening: |
 The 16th century Cusco Cathedral |
Day 7: Cuzco/Machu Picchu
It’s impossible to visit Cusco without visiting nearby Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recently voted as one of the seven new Wonders of the World. Most travelers regard this experience as a highlight of their life.
Day 8: Machu Picchu/Cusco/Lima Day 9: Lima |
 Inca ruins at Machu Picchu  Ruins at Pisac and Inca Trail |
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What is the Cost of the Program?
2,500 USD, including 4-star hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), 2 internal flights, ground transportation, cultural-site admissions (e.g., admission to Machu Picchu), plus breakfast and lunch daily. Not included: International airfare (approximately 800 USD), dinners (meals in Peru are extremely reasonable), and immunization, insurance, and passport acquisition related costs.
How Can I Apply?
Please download and fill out the registration form below
(Adobe Reader required - Click here ).
Click here for a registration form
Send the completed form and full payment to:
Peru Study Tour
Institute of International Agriculture
319 Agriculture Hall/Michigan State University
E. Lansing, MI 48824
Click here for a 2010 brochure
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A University of Missouri and Michigan State University Collaboration |
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For more information please contact:
Jose Cisneros
Global Agribusiness Program
College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Missouri
215 Gentry Hall, Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 884-9447
Fax: (573) 882-5127
CisnerosJ@missouri.edu
or
Dan Dutkiewicz
Institute of International Agricultural
302 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
E. Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 355-0184
Fax: (517) 353-1888
dutkiew1@anr.msu.edu
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