Master of Science in Agricultural Economics

Purpose

The Master of Science in Agricultural Economics is designed to produce well qualified, competent agricultural economists who wish to pursue a career in Agricultural Economics or related fields. It is expected that upon completion learners will be able to apply knowledge, skills, analytical techniques and methods in identifying and solving problems pertinent to agricultural economics. This qualification is relevant in the business and industry sectors, the public sector, local agencies engaged in rural economic development and in international organisations working in the field of economic development, poverty alleviation and related matters. Graduates of this qualification will thus be equipped to enter into the agricultural economics sector as research scientists, consultants and advisors in both the private and public domains.

Rationale

The world's population of humans is expected to double by 2050. This will result in an increased demand for agricultural products. In order to ensure that the country meets the demand for food production and secondary agricultural products in a sustainable way that is of economic value to the practitioners and the country as a whole, the country needs knowledgeable and expert economists with a thorough understanding of agricultural markets. A major constraint to agricultural development in smallholder agricultural sector of South Africa is the need for manpower with appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for efficient and effective decision making in the process of utilisation and management of scarce resources. Personnel with advanced training able to assume leadership roles are needed for effective decision-making that will lead to the formulation and implementation of policies that will increase productivity in the country's smallholder agricultural sector. This requires the expertise of agricultural economists. Thus Agricultural Economists will be in demand to improve agribusiness, the processing and marketing of agricultural products as well as the analysis of a range of macro-economic factors. As depicted in the National Development Plan 2030, development in the agricultural sector, being one of the primary activities in the rural areas, has the potential to increase jobs of many within the rural communities, and by so doing, uplifting communities. In addition, public investment in new agricultural technologies and the development of resilient and environmentally sustainable strategies and support services for small-scale and rural farmers ensures the protection of rural livelihoods and the concurrent expansion of commercial agriculture, so South Africa remains a net exporter of agricultural produce. It is in this context that the institution has developed its Graduate Program of study leading to a Master of Science Degree, with a specialisation in Agricultural Economics.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Based on the national transformation goals to redress past inequities in training and education Recognition of Prior Learning will be considered for access to those applicants without the required formal recognised qualification or specialisation; in this way we ensure that access to higher education is promoted. This will be applied as per the institution's Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and be subject to a comprehensive portfolio of evidence being received which undergoes an approved assessment process, using relevant trained RPL practitioners. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the admission requirements on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agriculture Economics, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,168 Credits

• Applied Econometric Techniques,12 Credits.
• Advanced Microeconomics,12 Credits.
• Contemporary Issues in Development,12 Credits.
• Advanced Agricultural Production Economics,12 Credits.
• Advanced Macroeconomics,12 Credits.
• Advanced Agricultural Policy,12 Credits.
• Mini-Dissertation (Agricultural Economics), 96 Credits.

Elective Modules, 24 Credits (Choose/Select two)

• Advanced Agribusiness Management, 12 Credits.
• Programming techniques, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Resource Economics, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Project Analysis, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge of agricultural economic theories and practices.
2. Demonstrate the ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in various agricultural economics topics at hand.
3. Demonstrate the ability to knowledgeably make decisions on ethical values and practices within the agricultural economics field of specialisation.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively regarding topics with the agricultural economics field of specialisation.
5. Make an informed decision on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation within agricultural economics disciplinary area.
6. Compose a structured, well-articulated scientific dissertation, showing analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources, applying them to real problems and posing acceptable conclusions and suggestions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Reflect disciplinary expertise in the correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication within a particular discipline of agricultural economics.
• Critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the specialised disciplines.
• Apply knowledge to propose solutions to complex practical problems (both concrete and abstract).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Access relevant and various information primary and secondary sources related to the core discipline.
• Identify the central theme(s) of the essay.
• Extract and explain the competing arguments.
• Reflect in explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken.
• Demonstrate through the provision of relevant information pertaining to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the context for addressing specific problems in an agricultural economics context.
• Clearly identify relevant role players and resources that will contribute to resolution of specific problems.
• Identify critical factors and knowledge gaps that impact on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Know the ethical implications of various kinds of research and be able to act accordingly.
• Obtain all ethical clearances (where required), permits and agreements from the Institution and from any other entity that is necessary before research is carried out.
• Ensure that all aspects of a problem have been considered so that the resolution has the least negative impact on society and the environment.
• Take responsibility for all decisions made and defend their action within the norms of the law, society and the environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Reasoning skills should include the ability to express own opinions clearly and coherently, justify a position and present it logically, systematically using properly substantiated arguments.
• Communication should show an awareness of audience, and capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written) and discipline-specific conventions, and utilisation of different techniques and strategies for communicating results.
• Communicate clearly using scholarly discourse and discipline-specific conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply standard procedures within the specific agricultural economics discipline, such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning.
• Collect and record appropriate data truthfully and in the appropriate format.
• Analyse and interpret results appropriately, reaching valid conclusions.
• Argue persuasively about such analyses, interpretations and conclusions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Structure the dissertation by showing understanding of the question and indicating the direction of the answer through laying out the subsections of the dissertation and their linkages with the overall theme.
• Clearly state the context in which its basic concepts and assumptions of the research topic are to be evaluated.
• Debate the subject matter by developing logically coherent arguments as well as citing and discussing illustrative examples.
• The conclusion is consistent with the arguments raised in the dissertation and possible outcomes of alternative initiatives at addressing the subject matter are suggested.
• Present the dissertation according to appropriate and / or recommended structure, word processing and referencing protocols.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification. Continuous formative feedback is provided to students on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes, particularly in their project proposal and through interactions such as seminar presentations, discussions and supervision. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessment which assesses the students' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Evaluation of learner performance to demonstrate applied competence; and criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners and that can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning.