MSc Agricultural Entrepreneurship Courses

ACCT2017 - MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

This course examines the formulation of management accounting concepts and techniques with major attention paid to how accounting information is used by managers for planning, control and evaluation. This course also provides managers with the basic tools for efficiently using the financial resources of an organization and understanding the objective of financial management. It focuses on the factors which govern the financial structure, cost of capital, market valuation, sourcing of short and long term funds and dividend, working capital policies of the firm and methods of capital budgeting.

The role and importance of the environment for social development and as a life support system. The nexus between agriculture and the environment. Agro-ecosystems structure and dynamics. Economic of environmental resources: market failure and environmental degradation, externalities and public goods; optimal resource use/extraction and approaches for management of renewable resources. Concept of watershed as a management unit, hydrology, soils, natural forest, biodiversity and land use. The impact of agricultural practices on the environment viewed from an ecosystem perspective; deforestation, soil erosion/degradation, flooding, irrigation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Case studies of impacts related to various agricultural systems: crops and livestock, subsistence and plantation farming, hillside and erodible soils, pesticide and chemical application, irrigated agriculture. Integration of the concepts and issues discussed in designing sustainable agro- environmental systems for the tropics; focus on small island states.

The post harvest physiology and biochemistry of selected tropical fruits, vegetables, root crops and grains. The post harvest environment including pathological agents, with particular reference to these crops. Physiological disorders. Post harvest handling systems. Introduction to basic equipment used in evaluation refrigeration and storage systems and general post harvest produce management.

AGRI1101 - INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE, CROP, AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

This course defines agriculture, traces its historical development and describes its importance to the economy, with special emphasis on the tropics and the Caribbean. The relationship between agriculture and food supply is considered. Special attention is paid to the physical and technical aspects of agriculture and the relationships between the crop, livestock, agro-processing, marketing and distribution sub-sectors. Introduction to fundamental concepts of crop and livestock production. Provides an overview of crop and livestock production and deals with major species of livestock in the CARICOM region, along with the factors that affect their productivity and profitability.

This course examines how formal analytic tools and quantitative techniques are used or managerial decision making. It examines the application of statistical concepts and models to decision making under uncertainty and under conditions of relative uncertainty. This course introduces managerial concepts and techniques that can be used to achieve flexibility, reliability, efficiency and total quality in operations. Specific attention is paid to the role of forecasting, systems design production planning and scheduling and materials management. The use of information systems in planning, design and control of manufacturing and service organizations is introduced.

This course introduces the basic concepts in social psychology relevant to the study and understanding of individual and group behaviour in an organizational setting. It shows the managers how interpersonal and structural variables influence job and task performance, individual and group productivity and their impact on the achievement of consistent quality in organizational outputs. This course also provides managers with an understanding of marketing concepts, methods and techniques and how these are used to achieve organizational goals. It examines the marketing mix and its application in planning and decision making in private and public enterprises. An emphasis is placed on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of sales, distribution and marketing programmes.

What is livestock development? Livestock classes including aquaculture and poultry, Sustainable livestock development, Choice of livestock production technology breeding (AI, embryo transfer); feeds/feeding system; feed/nutrition, health, housing, Livestock production systems, Integrated systems, Factors influencing livestock development, Livestock products /Harvesting practices Demand for livestock products, Marketing of livestock products. Role of Government and Private sector in the livestock industry.

BIOL6101 - ADVANCED CROP PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

Production systems of crops/plants including vegetables, roots and tubers, tree crops, agroforestry, ornamentals, fibre crops and bio-fuels, forages, pastures and turf, beverage crops, herbs, spices and medicinal plants. Soil and nutrient management practices for crop production. On-farm water management/irrigation and drainage management. Protected agriculture-greenhouse, biotechnology and plant breeding and propagation techniques. Agricultural mechanization and use of ICT and GIS.

BIOL6102 - STANDARD AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Measurements-soil, water, other parameters using, chemical, instrumental and biological techniques, PCR/ELISA, GIS, GPS and supporting ICT. Disease identification techniques. Production standards: GAP, Global gap, Fair Trade, Organic, Good manufacturing practices (GMP), HAACP/ISO9000/14000; Traceability, Exploration and evaluation of the organization and operation of complex diversified farming systems using tools and perspectives drawn primarily from ecology, agronomy, sociology and economics. Determinants of readiness for harvest, harvesting practices, post harvest changes and loss of value, ripening and senescence of fruits, preparation for storage, storage and transport. The course contains a significant component of fieldwork focused on farms, as well as supply and distribution networks.

Overview of unit operations. Raw material handling & storage for the prevention of deterioration. Introduction to material and energy balances; energy utilization. Good manufacturing practices. Valueadded agricultural products (with specific reference to products of local and regional significance: food, feed, fuel, fibres, essential oils) and processing technologies (for example high and low temperature processes, distillation, dehydration, concentration, use of preservatives, fermentation, filtration, irradiation, etcetera) used in their production. Modern packaging technology. Quality Control concerns. Records and traceability. Waste Management.

Structures and peculiarities of the agricultural value chain such as input supply, production, handling, harvesting, processing, value addition, and distribution and marketing. Value chain analysis and evaluation: students to identify and create successful strategies and solutions for their respective business environments. Limitations of value chain advantages Advantages of the agricultural value chain Identifying and developing agricultural value chains for selected agricultural commodities Identification and establishment of partnerships and collaborations.Identification of constraints; Supply chain category management Market intelligence Information gathering and designing

MGMT6162 - INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES

Introduction: Entrepreneurship, Traits of an Entrepreneur, Opportunity Seeking and Recognition; The entrepreneurial ventures business environment; Assessing business opportunities in the international market; Strategies which entrepreneurial firms can use to go international; Getting mature entrepreneurial firms to go international; Acquiring existing businesses in international markets; The strategic management of the entrepreneurial firm; Managing in a growing international firm; Cross cultural issues in managing an international firm; Networks and the internationalization of the entrepreneurial firm; Assembling resources for international operation; Raising financing for international business transaction;

MGMT6163 - MARKET ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS

Introduction to market assessment and analysis; Monopoly: Pricing, Rent Seeking, etc. Price Discrimination;Choice of Product Quality, Advertising, Efficiency;Oligopoly Model; Bertrand, Cournot, Stackelberg; Capacity Utilization; Conjectural Variation; Concentration, collusion. Vertical Relations - Intra- and Interbrand Competition; Vertical Restraints; Bargaining; Buyer Power; Applications; Vertical Control; Market Power; Entry and Exit Contestable Markets; Sunk costs;Strategic Investment;Research and Development: Adoption; Patent Races; Patent Protection; Adoption and Diffusion; Licensing.

This course allows the student hands-on opportunity to use in a holistic manner the various techniques learned (agribusiness management and entrepreneurial techniques) to design and implement a business along the agricultural value chain, i.e. producea viable plan for a new venture. Frameworks and guidelines that can be used to formulate strategies relevant in the contemporary agri-business environment. Emphasis will be placed on real world application in agribusiness theory through the building of an effective business plan, case study analysis and interaction with the agribusiness sector. Outside practitioners will provide front line insight to the real life issues, challenges and skills needed to fund and launch a successful venture. Students in teams take a multi-disciplinary approach to the preparation and presentation of a professional business plan. The teams will present their plans to a group of venture investors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and operating executives.

The topic will be the student's choice and will be based on some aspect of the agriculture value chain. The topic has to be agreed on well in advance by the course coordinator/lecturer. The seminar must be presented to faculty and students and must reflect a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Students will be evaluated for content and oral delivery. Audio visual aides are to be used in the presentation. Students are expected to give constructive responses to queries raised during the presentation.Attendance is compulsory for group seminars.

ECON6045 - THE ECONOMICS OF FARM AND FARMING SYSTEMS

Methodology in economics and the role of agricultural economics; Specifics of agricultural markets and the agricultural sector; Price formation on the land market; The impact of technological change on factor and product prices and the adjustment of the agricultural sector; Evaluation of agricultural policies:The limits of cost-benefit analysis based on traditional welfare economics; The importance of market failure; The importance of governance; A framework for policy assessment.

Analyzing Consumer Behavior/Market Demand; Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior/Demand:Economic Factors; Non-Economic Factors; Formation of Tastes and Preferences. Neo-classical Theory of Demand; Extensions to Neo-classical Model; Consumer Demand with Variable Preferences; Household Production Theory Unitary and Non-Unitary Models; Consumer Goods Characteristics Model; Data Sources and Issue; Sample Studies of Consumer Food Demand. Value Theory and Product Valuation; Willingness to Pay; Willingness to Accept; Divergence Issue. Introduction to Economic Experiments: Applications to Marketing; The Experimental Method; Laboratory versus Field Experiments Designing Experiments; Elicitation Methods; Contingent Valuation; Experimental Auctions, Choice Experiments; Presentations.

Special Topics: This creative component is in lieu of thesis and mandates all participants in the programme to undertake a final project which entails the development and implementation of an agricultural enterprise which has a real potential for real world applicability. It will involve making a business plan for the promotion of an agricultural enterprise with emphasis on some aspect of the agriculture value chain. This proposal will be presented to a panel of judges who will determine whether or not the idea is feasible. The project outline should include the following, title, preliminary questions or issues, context, literature review and methods. Permission from instructor/coordinator is required prior to the development of the programme.