Yet it is likely that the agricultural landscape of the future will see fewer graduates and fewer education providers.

The recent Federal Budget illustrated how universities are heavily reliant on public funding in order to carry out their operations - and therein lies a problem for agricultural students and the rural industry.

With the reduction in Commonwealth funding per student and the importance placed on securing income from other sources, it is evident that agricultural faculties are struggling to compete with others in the university.

Low enrolments in agriculture mean less income for the university, whereas business disciplines are generally profit generators for the institution.

In the future it is likely that programs and faculties that are unable to attract sufficient student enrolments and funds to remain financially viable will be closed or amalgamated.

As student numbers decline in the agricultural disciplines, so do staff numbers.

Hence, academics working in these 'unprofitable' areas are concerned about their future employment.

There is an argument that it would be in Australia's best interest to have fewer agricultural education providers, which would result in stronger student numbers and vibrant and engaging faculties, rather than supporting many colleges and universities that are all competing for scarce resources in a declining market.

Meanwhile, universities continue to compete against each other for a dwindling number of agricultural enrolments and funding allocations.

In the longer term this situation is not beneficial to the institutions, students or the rural sector.

These changes come at a time when farmers are aware of the importance their sector plays in feeding the ever-increasing world population.

The farming community has heard the predictions that global farm output will need to double in the next 50 years to feed this growing population.

As world numbers grow and food demand increases, the education and training requirements of those involved in agriculture will need to improve.

The rural sector, however, need not be alarmed by this scenario.

Universities are the largest provider of agricultural higher education in Australia.

They are big businesses and like most other large businesses, universities have undergone and continue to experience rapid change to their operations.

* Full comment in Stock Journal, July 9 issue.