Darren Hudson

Dr. Darren Hudson serves as Professor and the Larry Combest Endowed Chair for Agricultural Competitiveness at Texas Tech University, where he also holds the position of Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Assessment in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Additionally, he directs the International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness and previously held professorial roles at Mississippi State University. His academic foundation includes a B.S. in Agribusiness from West Texas A&M University and M.S./Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Hudson's educational trajectory features:

• B.S. in Agribusiness, West Texas A&M University
• M.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University
• Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University

His research program centers on agricultural policy and trade dynamics, with particular emphasis on international agreements like USMCA and their impacts on commodities such as dairy and cotton. Significant scholarly contributions address economic development and food security challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa (Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda), while behavioral economics investigations examine consumer responses to information and sensory cues in food markets. This multidisciplinary approach bridges agricultural economics with real-world policy applications and international development contexts.

Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research thrusts: trade policy impacts on agricultural commodities, food security during global crises, and consumer behavior in protein and specialty crop markets. Methodologically, his work employs causal impact analysis, choice experiments, meta-analyses, and phenomenological approaches, demonstrating rigorous empirical engagement with complex agricultural systems across 15+ countries.

Professional recognition includes:

• Farm Foundation Fellow
• Past Presidency of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association

As Director of the International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, Dr. Hudson manages research initiatives and grant-funded projects while contributing to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) consortium's cotton baseline projections. His mentorship spans graduate students in agricultural economics, though specific advisees aren't documented in available materials. International collaborations with institutions in Mexico, China, and East Africa characterize his field research on trade and food security.

Leadership extends to the International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, where he oversees global partnerships addressing agricultural trade competitiveness. His FAPRI consortium participation informs U.S. agricultural policy, while ongoing projects examine cotton markets in ASEAN nations, dairy trade under USMCA, and conflict-related food insecurity in Africa, reflecting a commitment to solving transnational agricultural challenges through evidence-based research.