Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Agri-Business Management
WHAT IS AGRI-BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND WHO IS AN AGRI-BUSINESS MANAGER?
Agricultural business management is a branch of agriculture science that deals in the business, leadership and organization operations of a farm. It covers the production and distribution of agriculture and livestock produce at the best rate of profit. Agri-business managers are people who specialize in the field of agri-business management.
WHERE DO AGRI-BUSINESS MANAGERS WORK?
Agricultural business managers work as farm supervisors who select and supervise workers, make farm budgets, organising routine maintenance, keep farm records and communicate with potential product buyers. Most of these agricultural business managers are employed full time and work long hours during the planting and harvesting seasons on these farms. Agri-business managers work as monitoring and evaluation officers for the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and livestock departments. Others work for privately owned companies in Zambia like Techno Serve and Corteva Agriscience, were they use their skills in field operations, marketing and administrative procurement services.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
On a daily basis, agri-business managers on farms and ranches oversee the business operations of the farm by providing leadership and organisation during the production process. They select seed that should be bought for the planting season and advise on the needed new farming equipment to be procured. At their work places, they specialize in crop production, horticulture or livestock, and the overseeing of both the production and storage facilities. Agri-business managers engage in employee management, decision-making, and farm business (i.e. accounting and book keeping). All this is done to ensure that the production and distribution of produce, grain or livestock is in line with government and environmental regulations as well as cost-effective and profitable.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN AGRI-BUSINESS MANAGER?
The typical work schedule for an agri-business manager is 08:00hrs - 17:00hrs from Monday to Friday. The work hours may increase during the cultivating and harvesting seasons.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The job market for agri-business managers is mainly in the provinces where a lot of commercial farming is done i.e. Central, Southern, Lusaka and Northern Provinces. With the establishment of more agricultural companies, the job market for agri-business managers is expected to rise.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
Agribusiness managers are expected to have basic business skills such as accounting and bookkeeping, communication and decision-making. They must be able to motivate employees. Many agricultural business managers begin their training with hands-on experience either by growing up on a farm or by working as a farmhand. To enjoy this program, you need to have an interest in agriculture science, biology, mathematics and business-related subjects.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Agri-Business Management
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
The subjects covered during the course of study include agricultural production, farm management economics, applied mathematics, financial accounting, business communication, computer applications, agricultural marketing, agricultural production, research methodology, project management, agricultural extension, and agricultural finance and entrepreneurship.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The minimum entry requirements to this program are O' level credits (grade 6) or better in Mathematics, English, Science and any other 2 subjects.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Those who obtain a diploma in agri-business management can choose to upgrade to the degree in the same or another related field such agricultural economics or agricultural extension. Degree holder can upgrade to a master's or PhD in the similar fields of agri-business, agronomy, or agriculture risk management. These advanced qualifications give you an upper hand in a competitive job market and allow for specialisation in a particular field of agri-business. With a master's, you can also work as a lecturer in a university.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER AGRI-BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part- Time
Admitting school: School of Agriculture
Intakes: January and August
Location: Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 215 228 004
E-mail: academic@mu.ac.zm or kyambayamba@mu.ac.zm
Website: www.mu.ac.zm
COOPERATIVE COLLEGE ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time, Distance
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 264 374
E-mail: info@cooperativecollege.ac.zm
Website: www.cooperativecollege.ac.zm
NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: Department of Agricultural Business Management
Intakes: June/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +0211-282496
E-mail: info@nrdc.biz
Website: www.nrdc.biz/students.html
NKUMBI INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 Years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Agriculture
Intakes: January only
Location: Kapiri Mposhi
Contacts
Tel: +260 979329699 or +260 968756184
E-mail: nkumbi@ymail.com
Facebook: Nkumbi International College
UNITED CHURCH ZAMBIA UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Agriculture
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 211029 or +260977327500 or +260967327500
E-mail: administration@uczuniversity.org OR msinyama@gmail.com
Website: www.uczuniversity.org
UNIVERSITY OF EDENBERG
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Agriculture
Intakes: January, July, September
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 964 292501 or +260971874752 or +260977867401
E-mail: academic@ue.edu.zm
Website: www.ue.edu.zm/fees-structure.html
BETHEL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-Time
Admitting school: School of Agriculture
Intakes: January
Location: Mongu
Contacts
Tel: +260 953 152 070 or +260 217 221 306
E-mail: info@betheluniversitymungu.org OR betheluni@yahoo.com
Facebook: Bethel University - B.U
ZAMBIA OPEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Agriculture
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260211427600 or +260969-672965 or +260976123055
E-mail: admissions@zaou.ac.zm
Website: zaou.ac.zm/bachelor-of-science-agribusiness-management/