Course Catalogue

The definitions and key concepts of Value Chain; value chain creation process, value chain activities, Outsourcing value chain activities; Technology and the Value Chain (Inbound Logistics Technologies; Operations Technologies; Outbound Logistics Technologies; Marketing and Sales Technologies; Service Technologies), Differentiation and the Value Chain, Cost Advantage and the Value Chain.

Course Objectives

• To impart knowledge and skill in the fundamental value chain concepts with regard to animal production systems and clusters
• To equip learners with knowledge on how to carry out value analysis on different products.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this course unit, learners should be able:

• Know basic concepts of product standards and international requirements in trade.
• Appreciate Porter’s value chain analysis as a tool to enhance competitiveness.
• Advise commercial farmers and industry operators on the process of delivering farm products ‘from farm to fork.

This course introduces the learners to the meaning and key concepts in research, the importance of research in agriculture, types of research, the research process, identification of researchable problem/topic, measurement of variables, population and sample selection, types of samples and sampling procedures, development of data collection and analysis tools and quality assurance, data sources, data collection, data preparation and analysis, interpretation and reporting, and research ethics.
Course Objectives

• To explain the basic theories and concepts of agricultural research methodology.
• To explain the various types of agricultural research designs, their appropriateness, and applicability in real-life situations.
• To explain the various qualitative and quantitative procedures of data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• To describe the process of research proposal writing

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• Explain important concepts in research.
• Undertake various types of research in an ethical manner.
• Apply scientific principles, methods and techniques to correctly carry out research.
• Write competitive research proposals, grants and reports for funding or scholarly purposes

The course provides students with basic concepts and issues in purchasing management. To support the purchasing role in identifying high-value sources of goods and services, strengthen relationships with supply chain partners, and ensure timely delivery, it is important to understand basic purchasing concepts and terminology. The course also provides students with the principles of purchasing and supply chain management used in organizations. It describes the various techniques that are useful in an organization.

Course objectives

• To equip students with knowledge and skills in purchasing and store management
• To equip students with knowledge of sourcing potential suppliers

Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Apply the principles of purchasing and stores management in organization.
• Analyze the functioning of the purchasing department to other functional areas in the organization
• Explain the meaning of the principles of purchasing.
• Identify the theories of purchasing that are implicit in their current approach to organizations.
• Source potential suppliers, receive orders, evaluate and award contracts.

The Course covers the fundamentals of economic theory, mathematics, and statistics as a baseline for Econometric analysis. Model building and hypothesis testing form part of this course. Students will spend most of the time on hands-on training on data management, model building - specification, exploratory data analysis, regression (OLS, profit and logit models), and other relevant analytical techniques.
Course objectives
The lecturer during the course will deliver the following:

• Building a statistical model
• Stating and testing a hypothesis
• Classical and Multiple Regression – OLS regression
• Testing the significance of the variables in the model
• Performing a probit and logit analysis
• Applying other statistical methods in data analysis

Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Build a statistical model
• State and test a hypothesis
• Test the significance of the variables in the model
• Perform a profit and logit analysis
• Apply other statistical methods in data analyse

This course presents both theoretical and practical aspects of management information systems, design, management, maintenance, and control, and how MIS skills and techniques can be applied in management agribusiness enterprises.

Course Objectives

• Explain the meaning of management information system
• Provide an overview of MIS to students
• Train students to design, manage, maintain, and control management information systems.

 Learning outcomes

• Defining management systems and Designing, managing, maintaining, and controlling MIS.
• Describing the information data and communication components of MIS.
• Classifying the information, and functions and determining value and output of MIS.
• Explaining the relationship between information technology and management information systems.
• Accessing information from the internet.

This course introduces students to the meaning, importance and types of farm records, valuation and depreciation of farm assets, enterprise budgeting. It also provides learners with the meaning and branches of accounting, importance of financial records in agribusiness, users of accounting information, fundamental principles and procedures in accounting, accounting bases, policies and standards, accounting equation, financial records and book-keeping, trial balance, errors, suspense and control accounts, preparation and adjustment of final accounts, bank reconciliation, financial statements, financial analysis, interpretation and reporting, decision-making and control in business management, use of computers in accounting and the effects of technology and globalization on accounting procedures.

Course Objectives

• To introduce the learners to the basic concepts of farm records and financial accounting.
• To explain the importance of financial records in agribusiness management.
• To provide the techniques of preparing, analyzing and presenting financial statements.
• To effectively use accounting information to facilitate farm planning and decision making

Learning Outcomes 
At the end of this course the students should be able to:

• Understand and explain the basic financial accounting terminologies and concepts.
• Identify and describe the various kinds of farm records, and accounting books generated and maintained by organizations.
• Record business transactions and maintain up to date books of accounts.
• Prepare, analyze and interpret financial statements.
• Use accounting information for planning purposes and decision making.

Agricultural finance and insurance are key areas in business management and success. The course will prepare students to perform investment analysis and valuation, interpret financial statements (cash flows, income statements, statement of comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of changes in equity) and perform ratio analysis. The focus for insurance is on risk estimation, insurance options and premium.

Course objective

The objective of this course is to develop student abilities to appraise and analysis investments, manage and forecast risk, evaluating financing options. Students will be prepared to function in a business environment, develop and manage finances as well as manage risks.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Appraise investments
• Perform a risk assessment
• Understand financing options and requirements
• Develop and interpret financial statements and ratios.
• Evaluate insurance options and their feasibility.