Batista to lead Agribusiness Institute

Batista

The head of the California State University, Fresno, Agricultural Economics Department is the new director of Mississippi State's Agribusiness Institute.

Juan C. Batista assumes his duties on campus March 1. He succeeds McRae F. Banks, the first full-time director who now is an administrator at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute.

Established in 1992, the institute provides education, training, and research to the state's agribusiness enterprises. It is a joint effort of the colleges of Business and Industry and Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Batista, who holds a doctorate from Cornell University, specializes in international trade and marketing. At CSUF, he also was director of the Center for Agriculture Business. Prior to joining the faculty there, he was founder and general partner of an international marketing and sales company.

In addition to training and outreach activities, the Agribusiness Institute coordinates a master of agribusiness management degree program. Some 40 faculty members from both Mississippi State colleges are involved in its operation.