INTRODUCTION

1. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To address the demand of Agricultural Economics techniques and development analysis in the areas of sustainable food production, natural resource management and overall economic growth.

 

3. PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of study: Micro/Macro/Environment Economics for Agriculture, Agricultural Development, Econometrics

Specialist Focus: Agricultural Value Chains Data, Policy analysis, Value Chain Development

Orientation Oriented towards innovation and application of theory to solve real-life problems

Distinctive Features: Knowledge of the role of agricultural entrepreneurship and marketing in agriculture, agribusiness and agro-industrial development

OBJECTIVES

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

NORMAL ENTRY

Prospective students should have at least five ‘O’ Level passes including English Language, Science and at least a B in Mathematics and any two ‘A’ Level passes in the following subjects Agriculture, Mathematics, Economics, Management of Business, Sociology, Accounts, Geography and Biology.

SPECIAL ENTRY

Relevant Diploma based on departmental board evaluation.

4 Career Opportunities and Further Education

Employability: Private Sector – Bankers, commodity brokers, Agribusiness Finance Managers, Applied Economists, Consultants, Marketing Agents/Sales Representatives, Extensionists, education, real estate, and public relations.

Public Sector – Researchers (Applied Economists, Marketing Agents,) Extensionists, Lecturers, natural resource and environmental management, Education and Public Relations

Self-Employment – Farmers, Consultants

Further Studies: Masters and Doctoral studies in Agricultural Economics and Development, Economics, Development, Policy

5 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Employability: Private Sector – Bankers, commodity brokers, Agribusiness Finance Managers, Applied Economists, Consultants, Marketing Agents/Sales Representatives, Extensionists, education, real estate, and public relations.

Public Sector – Researchers (Applied Economists, Marketing Agents,) Extensionists, Lecturers, natural resource and environmental management, Education and Public Relations

Self-Employment – Farmers, Consultants

Further Studies: Masters and Doctoral studies in Agricultural Economics and Development, Economics, Development, Policy

 

6 ASSESSMENT

Refer to Section 6 of General Regulations and Section 5 of Faculty Regulations.

The degree programme shall have at least 32 taught modules spread over the six teaching semesters.

Level 1 Semester 1

Code Module Title Prerequisite Credits

AWS101 Agricultural Biology 12

AGPR131 Practices in Farm Entrepreneurial skills 1  6

CS131 Basic Communication Skills 12

HSC115 Introduction to Information Technology 12

AGED131 Introduction to Agricultural Economics 12

AGED133 Mathematics for Agricultural Economics 12

AVCM101 Introduction to Agricultural Value Chain 12

AGED132       Micro Economics for Agriculture 1          AGED131   12

AGED134 Macro-Economics for Agricultural Economics 1   AGED131 12       AGED135 Introduction to Rural Sociology 12

AGPR132 Practices in Farm Entrepreneurial Skills 2         AGPR131  6

AVCM 102  Agricultural Value Chains Development 12

AGRO133   Principles of Crop Production                12

 

Level 2

AVCM 201 Communication and Innovation in Agriculture 12

AGED233 Microeconomics for Agricultural Economics 11 12

AGED234 Macroeconomics for Agricultural Economics 11 12

AEGS231 Gender Studies 12

AGED235 Farm Business Management 12

AVCN 203  ICT in Agriculture Value Chains 12

AVCM209 Econometrics and Socio-economic data analysis               12

AVCM 206 Research and Innovation Skills 12

Level 3 Semester 1: Work-Related Learning

*AGPR330 Work-Related Preliminary Report 30

Level 3 Semester 2

AGPR301 Work-Related Learning Report              45

AGPR302 Academic Supervisor’s Assessment Report                         30

AGPR303 Employer’s Assessment Report                         45

Level 4

AGED432 Agricultural Policy Analysis 12

AVCM401 Agricultural Trade 12

AGED438 Agricultural Production Economics AGED233 12

AGED431 Agricultural Price Analysis and Forecasting 12

AGED407       Banking and Capital Markets            AGED232 12

AGED440 Econometrics 11 AGED239 12

AGED412 Rural Development 12

Level 4 Semester 2

AVCM 432 Agriculture Value Chains Financing             12

AGED436 Insurance and Risk Management in Agriculture 12

AGED439       Agricultural Extension             12

AGED414 Dissertation AGED236   24

Electives (choose 1)

AGED433 Entrepreneurship in Agriculture 12

AGED411 Agricultural Tourism    12

7. MODULE SYNOPSIS

AGPR131 practices in farm entrepreneurial skills 1

This module gives first-year students in the field of Agriculture, a broad understanding of the fundamental entrepreneurial skills essential in starting a farming business, screening of opportunities, developing a business concept and translating ideas into business opportunities. The module will also cover certain animal production enterprises such as ruminant production systems (beef, dairy, small ruminants); non-ruminant production systems (broilers, layers, piggery and rabbitry) and intensive wildlife management enterprises. A field trip to an animal farm shall take place during each semester.

AGPR132 Practices in Farm Entrepreneurial Skills 2

In addition to entrepreneurial skills learnt in AGPR102, students shall learn to finance a farming business, do cash flow budgets and apply for a successful bank loan. Production enterprises shall include the production of maize, wheat, leafy vegetables, onions, tomatoes, field beans, tobacco, cotton, soyabean, citrus, mango and banana. Students shall also be exposed to the production of major flowers e.g. carnations and roses. Students shall be exposed to aspects of marketing, human resources, pricing, government policies and taxation. Students shall visit a crop production farm during each semester.

AGED 131 Introduction to Agricultural Economics

Economic systems and organization, theory of supply and demand, market equilibrium and nature of markets. Micro – economics. Macro – Economics. The consumption, investment and savings functions. The international economy. Monetary and fiscal policies. Employment and growth policies. The role of the agricultural industry in the national economy.

AGED 132 Micro Economics for Agriculture 1

Economics of agricultural production- theoretical foundations; Physical and economic relations, The factor- product relationship, the factor- factor relationship, the product- product relationship. The product supply and input demand; Product supply, Demand for inputs. Production Economics; Efficiency of resource use, Technical, Allocative and Economic efficiency, Risk and uncertainty. Economics of market demand

AGED 133 Mathematics for Agricultural Economics

The module is designed to give students a basic understanding of mathematical tools and techniques required in economics, policy formulation and business decision-making. The module seeks to show the relevance of mathematical tools/concepts such as integration linear algebra, differentiation and optimization theory in the field of economics. Trigonometry, probability, functions, graphs, solving equations, matrix algebra, multivariate calculus, differentiation and integration

AGED 134 Macro Economics for Agriculture 1

 Definition of macro-economics. The module will look into the branch of economics at the national level through variables such as macro-economic issues, inflation, the gross national product, employment, national accounting, demand/supply, national economics equilibrium, monetary policy, bank rate, foreign currency reserves and balance of payments, foreign currency exchange market, food policy, agricultural policies, and production theories and agriculture at the elementary level.

CS131 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to the Department of Communication Skills

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Computer Science

AWS101 Agricultural biology

Refer to the Department of Livestock and Wildlife Management.

AGED 135 Introduction to Rural Sociology

Examining rural social systems and structures and how they impact positively or negatively on development. Examining social change theories and how they relate to the development discourse

AVCM102 Introduction to Agricultural Value Chain Development

Theoretical approaches used to study organization and management, Examines the structure and behaviour as well as the main tasks of management. Looking in detail and questioning the applicability of management theory. Examining the application of management theory in relation to specific areas of activity. Current theory issues in reformation and improving management of Agricultural Development.

AVCM 101 Introduction to Agricultural Value Chains

This course focuses on the role of agriculture in economic development and how to develop appropriate interventions to improve the role of the sector at different stages of economic growth. Topics to be covered include the role of agriculture in economic development – product contribution, market contribution, factor contribution and foreign exchange contribution; pre-developmental theories of Thomas Malthus and David Ricardo; agricultural development models; agriculture in developing and developed countries and planning for agricultural development. Institutional constraints, economic efficiency, structural change and technology adoption in developing countries. Farming systems, agricultural development policies, sector planning and implications for long-term economic growth and development. Poverty alleviation and agriculture in the international economic context.

HAWS 122 Principles of Animal Production

Levels of organization – molecular, cellular, tissue, organ etc.

Students to develop skills and knowledge of the principles of efficient production including, feeding practices, breeds, management, housing and handling facilities, marketing, diseases and sanitation under tropical conditions for beef, dairy, small ruminants, pigs and poultry. Students to be introduced to the basic principles of animal production and be able to identify problems in livestock production in the Tropics.

AGRO133 Principles of Crop Production

Refer to the Department of Agronomy.

AGED 201 Agri-Business Law

The module will cover the following aspects as a matter of principles of law but more so as they apply to the current challenges in the agricultural sector; Sources of law, basics of law of sale defining and applying the legal terms of thing, price, ownership and risk as well as sellers obligations and buyers remedies. Contract law, definition, essentials and application to agricultural funding, operations and marketing. Modes of access to land (land tenure). The law of agency, challenging of agency. Employment contracts. Collective bargaining. National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Act.

AVCM 203 ICT in Agricultural Value Chain

ICTs are increasingly being used in the agricultural sector. In this regard, this module focuses on ICTs in Agriculture, the role of ICTs in agriculture (productivity, food and nutrition security, access markets, and employment), ICT potential for agriculture value chain and agribusiness development, a framework for engaging youth in agriculture, the role of social media in agricultural development as platforms for creating awareness, information exchanges and technology adoption.

AGED 233 Micro – economics for Agriculture 11

Basic demand relationships, Elasticity of demand, Homogeneity condition. Developments in demand theory; New theories of demand, Equilibrium and Exchange, Definition of equilibrium, Partial vs General equilibrium, Interference with equilibrium. Analysis of agricultural markets, Competitive markets and Pareto optimality, Policy intervention in markets.  Welfare Economics and Economics of trade. Food and Agricultural policy.

AGED 234 Macroeconomics for Agriculture 11

Looks at economic behaviour and policies related to consumption, savings, investment, balance of trade, equilibrium in the goods and money market, domestic and international debt, and their implication in a more rigorous manner

AGED 235 Economics of Environmental Management

Environment and the micro-economy; Markets, Market failure and property rights, Government property rights, Economic instruments for environmental management, Attaching money values to environmental goods.  Environment and the macro-economy; the green economy, Macroeconomic policy and the environment, Environment and the international economy, Environmental regulation, comparative advantage and international competitiveness, trans boundary externalities and environmental policy, trade liberalization and environmental impacts, Economics of pollution control, theory of pollution economics, the practical use of economic instruments in pollution control, Natural resource economics Management of renewal resources,  market and institutional failure in the natural resource sector

AVCM 236 Research and Innovation Methods

Research proposal formulation, problem definition, methods of data collection, Questionnaire formulation, and interviewing techniques, sampling procedures for surveys, organisation and implementation of surveys, survey quality control, analyses and interpretation, and results presentation. Software; SPSS, GENSTAT, SAS etc.

AGED 237 Agribusiness Management

The module seeks to appropriately recall all values from other modules and contextualize them to advantage Agricultural Business Management through: Forms of business and analysis of business environment. Value chain in agricultural operations. Management principles. Cooperate governance. Operations research. Agribusiness viability and analysis.

AGED 238 Farm Business management

Background: Functions of management-Forms of business organization in commercial agriculture.  Farm records and Information systems management.

Labour management farm planning and budgeting, Gross Margin Analysis. Whole farm budget and farm planning. Partial budget.  Break-even budget. Cash flow budget. Sources of agricultural finance.  Agricultural Support Schemes with special reference to. Government support scheme.  Contract Production schemes Management of working capital. Investment appraisal, Stock valuations and depreciation, Farm trading accounts, Profit and loss account, Farm balance sheet, its analysis and interpretation.  Variances analysis, Audit of farm operation and budgetary control. Business ethics.

AVCM 209 Econometrics and Data Analysis

The module gives empirical content to economic theory. Uses mathematics and statistical tools to analyse economic behaviour i.e. estimate relationships, infer the implications of the estimates, test hypotheses about economic behaviour and predict economic behaviour. The tools include regression models, specification testing, general linear models, problems of single equation models and simultaneous equation models. The module content focuses on econometric techniques that provide students with the understanding needed in modern economics.

AEGS231 Introduction to Gender Studies

The module empowers the students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the university, workplace and in all their social interactions. Topics covered include Understanding Gender, Theories of Gender Inequalities, Historical Development of Gender, Gender Analysis, Gender Issues in Zimbabwe, Redressing Gender Imbalances, Empowerment and Strategies for creating a gender-responsive environment.  Every student has to pass the module in order to graduate.

AGED 239 Project Management

This module is about the modes and mechanisms through which development assistance is channelled, via investment in developing countries, for the promotion of agricultural and rural development. It is thus primarily about the rationale, context, and methods of planning, appraising and evaluating development projects and programmes. Projects and programmes are widely used when attempting to allocate limited resources for specific development purposes as effectively as possible, and a core part of the module is on methods for appraising the financial and economic efficiency of rural and agricultural development projects. These methods of appraisal are informed by economic theories and, in particular, those of applied welfare economics. While the module emphasises financial and economic efficiency, other important issues in assessing project design and impact are presented. Planning and management techniques for the project cycle are covered; including project identification and logical framework analysis. Approaches for social and environmental appraisal of projects are also reviewed.

AGED 231 NGOS and Agricultural Development

Types of non – profit organisations in agricultural development. Registration, and management structures of non – profit organizations. Funding and financial management, scope, corporate governance and ethics in NGOs. Civil society theory. Participation theory. NGOs and agricultural development. NGOs and humanitarian relief. farming systems, stakeholder consultations in agricultural development, and links with governmental and other developmental agencies.

AVCM 402 Agriculture Marketing and Value Chain Financing

In addition to exploring marketing principles, this module also addresses unique marketing concepts related to Agricultural and Food Marketing.  The module explores the now ubiquitous concept of value chains in agricultural supply. It delves into agricultural value chain development, value addition along input, and commodity value chains, vertical and lateral coordination issues of chain development, supplier competence, forms of governance, strategies to reduce costs of governance, power asymmetries, concentration and the increasing importance of standards.

AGED 432 Policy Analysis

This course offers a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding agricultural and food policy in Zimbabwe and the world. It examines the agricultural policy process in terms of rationale, content, and consequences. It thereby helps students develop a better understanding of policy-making entities at various levels of government. It also provides a broad understanding of how policy actions in agriculture impact not only farmers’ incomes, but also the well-being of consumers, the economic viability of rural communities, and the quality of our nation’s environmental resources. Looks at economic behaviour and policies related to consumption, savings, investment, the balance of trade, equilibrium in the goods and money market, domestic and international debt, and their implication in a more rigorous manner.

AGED 433 Entrepreneurship in Agriculture

Role of entrepreneurship in agricultural development and the economy.  Theories of entrepreneurship. Processes of establishing a business. Sources of funding. Feasibility studies. Planning production and marketing of enterprise. Entrepreneurship and public policy. Characteristics, nature and problems of small agricultural ventures. Advantages and disadvantages of big versus small. Management techniques. Linkages.

AGED 434 Disaster and Relief Management

Introduction to disaster management. Assessment of disasters and emergency complex situations. Impact of disasters on communities and agriculture. Needs analysis during disasters. Disaster management and recovery plans. Ethics in disaster management. Long-term planning in disaster management. Case studies of disasters affecting agriculture and communities

AVCM 402 Agricultural Trade and Policy

International trade familiarizes students with theories and policies that guide international trade. This course is usually taken in one of the first semesters of a degree program. Students learn why international trade is important for Zimbabwe and other nations, and they examine how it affects production, profit and the economy. The theories of international trade (absolute advantage, comparative advantage), gains from trade and balance of payments; public finance, taxes, public expenditure and public debt, international trade agreements including EU-ACP, and the role of WTO will be covered.

AGED 436 Insurance and Risk Management in Agriculture

Concepts of risk management in agriculture. Theories and definitions of risk management. The measurement of risk. And the stochastic basis of risk. The Beta. Risk adjustment methods and techniques used in dealing with risk, risk financing techniques. Hedging against risk, the futures options and contracts. Insurance in agriculture; crop, animal, farm vehicles. Policy wordings, underwriting and claims.

AGED 437 Banking and Capital Markets

The course deals with the description of the activities of banks in agriculture, financial intermediaries, central banks, regulatory agencies, and monetary theory. Money market institutions. Capital market institutions. It shores up knowledge in bank management and capital markets as they relate to agriculture.

AGED 438 Agricultural Production Economics

Resource allocation, production selection, and scale of operation of agricultural firms including risk and uncertainty associated with agricultural production. Analysis of agricultural production economic models using econometrics, mathematical programming and simulation. Introduction to the systems science perspective. Techniques for Analysis of Risk, environmental Value, technological change and technology adoption.

AGED 439 Agricultural Extension

History of agricultural extension in Zimbabwe- Definition of extension. Extension ethics- communication skills: Mass media: Kinescis: art of listening. Conducting successful meetings. Extension methods and training programme planning: projects, programmes and Policy in Agricultural Extension- interpretation of Agricultural policy and planning programmes. Farmer participation in extension programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.  Research – Extension- Linkages. Agricultural extension change management and support- what is change management- Donor Organisations in agricultural development and extension. Privatization of extension services- is this an option for the future? Female Extension Agents and Gender in Agricultural development and extension- Agrarian reform- challenges for extension.

AGED 440 Econometrics 11

This module in econometrics is designed to provide students will the tools required to evaluate and carry out empirical research. It focuses on the violation of classical liner regression model assumptions. Issues such as heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, model specification and multicollinearity are discussed. Modelling with dummy variables, simultaneous equations, time series and panel data econometrics will be studied.

AGED 411 Agricultural Tourism

Origins and means of food production and the importance of sustainable practices. Definitions, reasons for agricultural tourism, and its importance at the local and national levels. Examples of agricultural tourism in Zimbabwe and worldwide; Agro – recreation and leisure businesses in farms, botanical gardens, city gardens, golf courses, ranches, safaris, agro and forest Estates, agro – processing plants, hunting clubs, boating, polocross, horse racing. the viability and preservation of farms and ranches, natural resources conservation, economic and enterprise development, entrepreneurial education (including business planning, risk management, food safety, marketing, customer relations, product development, diversification and value-added), policy analysis, regulatory policies and education of such to landowners, and public education

AGED412 Rural Development

Leading issues in rural development planning are discussed in detail. The course focuses on rural poverty alleviation, the role of agriculture and agro-industries in the improvement of the quality of rural lives, and social and economic development of rural areas, evaluation of alternative theories of rural development, and how to address hunger and rural poverty through innovations, infrastructural development, community participation, agro-processing and value addition. Attention is paid to the management of development institutions, participatory and integrated planning, infrastructure and physical resources, sectoral and spatial planning, management of local authorities, gender and demographics in development administration, decentralized planning and planning laws, and processes and planning techniques for rural and regional development.

AGED 414 Dissertation

This is a scientific report of between 15 000 and 20 000 words, based on supervised research by the student. The dissertation should be presented to a panel of the Departmental Board,

AGED431 Agricultural Price Analysis and Forecasting

This course is aimed at developing an understanding of the principles of price theory and how these principles can be applied to problems in agriculture starting from the supply and demand of agricultural products. The role of price in agricultural production is examined at the onset. Specific topics include price determination and discovery, movement of prices over time and modelling of cycles and seasonality, using index numbers to correct for inflation, detailed analysis of agricultural commodities price trends, empirical estimation of demand and supply, demand shift and income effect, supply response and long-term competitiveness.  Students are also introduced to the modelling of market structures, market outlook and different methods of forecasting prices, and hedging and its effectiveness for agricultural commodities.