Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics

The agricultural industry is a major sector in the South African economy in terms of meeting the increasing food demands, employment, adding value and linkages with the other sectors of the economy. The Faculty of Agriculture aims at educating learners for life and equipping with emphasis on small scale agriculture. In order to meet this objective, the Faculty of Agriculture, predominantly through the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management.

The qualification in Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management is designed to provide the learners with the analytical, reasoning and communication skills required to enter the agricultural economics and farm business management professions. The education will empower learners to make critical assessments of real-life problems that are pertinent to their chosen profession. Learners completing their studies in the qualification find employment in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, extension projects, education and in their own business.

The qualification will equip learners for life-long education and skills through actively promoting a range of development activities. It will endeavour to imbue in them enthusiasm and a love for learning, and research and promote independent and critical inquiry and research. Innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence will be encouraged and rewarded.

By successfully completing the research, the learner will have further demonstrated his/her capacity to make a significant contribution to agriculture.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Agricultural Economics, NQF Level 8.
• Bachelor of Agriculture Honours in Agricultural Economics, NQF Level 8.

1. Learners demonstrate the capacity to design, conduct and write up research.
2. Learners demonstrate an understanding of scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques.
3. Learners demonstrate an understanding of literature related to the research problem.
4. Learners demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically, technically scientifically correct.

1.

• Write research proposals that indicate that learners are able to identify a problem or problems in agricultural economics and formulate research problems,
• Formulate and test hypotheses,
• Select and utilise research instruments that are relevant in the research of problems in agricultural economic and related fields,
• Select and use appropriate data analysis methods to interpret the findings of an investigation,
• Conduct fieldwork during the actual investigation if relevant to the research project,
• Report the findings of the investigation and formulate recommendations that emanate from the findings.

1. Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problem being researched.

3.

• Critically read, interpret and analyze literature from different sources,
• Search for literature on the identified research problem,
• Compare the writings of different authors on the topic being researched,
• Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies,
• Create a theoretical framework provided by the literature review,
• Compile a complete bibliography/list of references.

4.

• Write a dissertation that shows that the learner can express himself/herself clearly,
• Write a dissertation that is linguistically correct and of an acceptable standard,
• Write a dissertation that is technically and scientifically acceptable to the examiners.

Integrated assessment procedures to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. Through integrated assessment the learner will be required to demonstrate applied competence using a range of formative and summative assessment methods including assignments, seminars, practical reports and exams, where applicable. Assessment of the dissertation will be particularly important.