Agribusiness

Agribusiness is a term that is used to describe the many businesses involved in the production of food, including seed supply, farming machinery, chemicals, distribution, marketing and sales. In the Agriculture industry, agribusiness refers to the range of activities involved in modern food production. The United Nations’ food and agriculture department has a department that regulates the development of agribusiness as a way to promote the advancement of the food industry in developing countries.

Examples of agribusiness include companies that transport and process grain, farm machinery companies such as John Deere, seed and chemical companies such as Monsanto, and agricultural companies. The agribusiness sector encompasses a variety of interests including crop producers, livestock, meat producers, dairy farmers, food manufacturers, poultry and egg companies, tobacco companies and more.

Political action committees and individuals associated with the agribusiness industry contribute millions of dollars in political elections. Sometimes the term agribusiness has a negative connotation. It can be referred to as corporate farming and be set in opposition to local farming and family-owned farms as an ideal.