North America’s departments of agricultural economics are rapidly losing steam. Naturally, lower demographics mean fewer potential students. And this phenomenon, particularly in Quebec, is being felt by all universities. However, beyond the obvious, Agrifood Economics departments and faculties of Agricultural Sciences seem to be suffering from an image problem. In fact, in Canada alone, the University of British Columbia’s department of rural economics has been downgraded to a research group offering only a Master’s program. As for McGill, it is merely a shadow of its former self with three professors and a link to the Natural Science Department.

Here, at Université Laval, the department of Agricultural Economics has gone from 24 professors a few years ago (including the programme de consommation) to nearly 14. Furthermore, the last time a professor was hired was some eight years ago (when I was hired). Although it might be somewhat amusing to be called a “youngster” when you’re pushing 40, the department is starting to feel the need for some ‘fresh blood’. Yet the placement rate for our graduates is practically 100%, salaries are more than decent and the challenges are many and exciting.

I can already see your raised eyebrows “agriculture has an image problem?” According to career surveys, aren’t farmers among the most loved, the most admired and among the most trusted? Yes, that is correct. However, facts lead us to believe that a certain image of the farmer, possibly one that doesn’t correspond with today’s reality, is in fact the one most people have in mind. Let’s admit it, the perception of modern agriculture as illustrated by the media as a whole is pretty negative. Think back to how farming was portrayed as a source of pollution, or how the media harped ad nauseam on the farm income crisis, its illustration of pig farming and mass pork production, remember when a cow was slaughtered in front of a national chain’s cameras, or how about when milk was being poured down the gutter, barrels of exploding syrup, and lets not forget about those popular culinary gurus who liberally comment on the state of agriculture through biased anecdotes. As you know, much of what we see and read represents only one part of the story, usually taken out of context or just plain untrue.

Nonetheless, from a bystander’s viewpoint, farming may seem polluting, on the decline (in terms of income) and problematic as a whole. In short, farming is not very appealing in the eyes of a young person seeking a career. To illustrate this phenomena, and with the collaboration of a fellow economist from the University of Victoria, we recently presented a young and brilliant student from his department with a farming-related issue. She responded that she didn’t want to focus on that particular issue since she doesn’t see much of a future for agriculture: “You know, agriculture is not a very sexy subject of study.” This student is now busy working on a type of fish threatened with extinction.

And yet, data has shown that farming is rich in technological innovations and we need to recognize that some significant efforts have been made in terms of the environment. Agriculture will undoubtedly be a major variable in dealing with the challenges of increased demand for natural resources and food. Agrifood in Quebec is already filled with individual and collective success stories and these successes need to be highlighted. A recent conference given by Liberté yogurt’s General Manager, during the latest edition of Perspectives agroalimentaires, dealt with their success in terms of the environment and was especially refreshing.

Because even the smallest actions make a difference, and without negating the impact of the crisis-of-the-moment, couldn’t we be a little more positive and not be so frightened if a sector of industry is doing well, shouldn’t we at least be able mention it? When the aeronautics and biotechnology industries are doing well, they don’t hesitate to toot their own horns, and Quebeckers as a whole feel a sense of success and pride. Why not do the same when the dairy or poultry industries are in high gear with record productions and profits? Who knows, years from now and with a little luck, I might no longer be the ‘youngster’ in my department!

 

Maurice Doyon is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Chair, Department of Agricultural Economics and Consumer Science, Université Laval. He is also a member of the Centre de Recherche en Économie agroalimentaire (CRÉA) with that same department, auxiliary professor with the University of Maine, associate researcher with the Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en analyse des organisations in Montréal and associate researcher with the Neutraceuticals and Functional Foods Institute (NIAF). Furthermore, he holds a doctorate degree in Applied Economics from Cornell University, as well as a Master’s degree from this same institution. Mr. Doyon has received over fifteen grants and merits throughout his distinguished academic career.