The programme aims to provide students with the tools and skill set necessary to create, resuscitate and/or rehabilitate agricultural enterprises. Graduates will possess the skills necessary to translate cutting-edge agricultural research into business opportunities along the agriculture value chain. The programme is also intended to assist in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) aimed at assisting in the eradication of extreme hunger and to ensure environment sustainability.

Programme Objectives

Graduates from the MSc in Agricultural Entrepreneurship will be equipped with the necessary tools to start their businesses within any aspect of the agricultural value chain. They will have the ability to work on their own and within private, national and international institutions that focus on agricultural research and development.

Students pursuing this programme will:

• Acquire knowledge and develop new research and ideas into business opportunities;
• Describe the different physical, economic and social environments in which agriculture operates and encapsulate these components into agricultural enterprises;
• Translate recent developments in agricultural research into practical projects while responding to challenges such as climate change, environmental sustainability, ecosystem preservation, and globalization; and develop business plans aimed at attracting financing from local and international private and public institutions.

Entry Requirements

• Entrants to this course are normally required to have obtained an honours degree (minimum GPA 2.25) or its equivalent in agriculture, forestry, botany, biological, agronomy, chemical, environmental, or social sciences; rural development, development planning and management or a related subject. 
• Applicants with other qualifications and who have at least 2 years’ professional experience in a relevant field of agriculture and development are also eligible to apply for admission to this course.
• Applicants who do not possess the requisite qualification and experience will be required to do pre-qualification courses in agriculture/sciences and the social sciences. References will also be taken into account.

Duration of Programme

The programme duration is 18 months and is offered in the evenings and on weekends.