Programmes

BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMME (B.AGRIC) IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Objectives

The broad objective of the B.Agric programme in Agricultural Economics is to provide our graduates with requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to apply relevant economic principles to the real life problems of Nigerian agriculture. The programme is designed to provide broad practical and theoretical training in the basic agricultural sciences for the first three years and a full year’s practical training in approved farms and other agro-based establishments during the fourth year.

At the end of the programme, the graduates would have acquired adequate knowledge and skill in agriculture and related areas that would provide solutions to Nigeria’s agricultural and rural development problems and improve agricultural productivity in general.

Scope

The following courses are offered in the undergraduate programme: Farm Management, Production Economics, Econometrics, Economic Analysis, Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Cooperatives, Agricultural Development Policy and Planning, Projects Planning and Appraisal, Agribusiness and Marketing as well as Methods of Social Research. The Department also offers courses to students of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and other Departments in the Faculty of Agriculture. There is also a special course on Economics of Agriculture mounted for the students of Estate Management and Urban and Regional Planning Departments of the Enugu campus of the University.

 DEPARTMENT ENTRY REQUIREMENT

(a) Admission through UTME

Candidates who secure admission into the Department through the UTME, must satisfy the University entry requirements, and in doing so, must have obtained credits in Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, Mathematics or Physics and English. The fifth credit could be in Economics or Geography in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE), Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) or National Examination Council (NECO).

(b)       Direct Entry Admission

To qualify for Direct Entry admission, the candidate should have Higher School Certificate, GCE A’ Level, Higher National Diploma, Nigerian Certificate in Education with at least a merit pass in Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science as well as credit in Mathematics at Ordinary level. The Direct Entry Programme lasts for 4 years and the candidates enter in the 2nd year of the 5 year programme.

Job Opportunities

Graduates of this Department are employed in Credit/Corporate Finance Departments of Commercial, Merchant and Development Banks, Agricultural Consultancy Firms, Agribusiness, Research Institutes; Agricultural Development Projects, Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Cooperatives and Budget and Planning Department and in International Agencies or Organizations.

Stress Areas

Foundation Courses                                                                0

Marketing and Agribusiness                                                  1

Accounting                                                                                2

Cooperatives                                                                             3

Finance                                                                                      4

Agricultural Development/Policy and Planning               5

Research Method/Techniques                                               6

Seminar                                                                                      8

Project                                                                                        9

 

POSTGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMME (M.SC. & PHD) IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

 Core Areas of Specialization

  1. Farm Management and Production Economics
  2. Agricultural Finance and Project Analysis
  3. Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness
  4. Agricultural Cooperative
  5. Resource and Environmental Economics

Philosophy:

Agricultural Economics is a vital field of learning that continues to gain increasing recognition in both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian society. As a discipline, it essentially concerns the application of economic principles to the solution of agricultural production, marketing and consumption problems. It deals with the management and allocation of scarce productive resources to different agricultural enterprises and uses. Agricultural economics, therefore, uses social science methodology to analyse agricultural problems. The philosophy of the Master of Science Degree Programme in Agricultural Economics is to develop high level manpower to pursue careers in academics and research.

Objectives:

The primary objective of the programme is to equip students with theoretical and practical tools required to apply themselves usefully to the nation’s agricultural sector and the general economy. Consequently, the students are exposed to research methodology, applied theory, applied quantitative techniques, traditional agricultural economics areas like farm management, production economics, agricultural finance, marketing, rural development and cooperatives.

 Scope:

Courses are offered to students pursuing their Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The students are exposed to both the theoretical concepts and field/research studies in general agriculture. Students should be able to apply their knowledge of theories to agricultural production decisions.

 Entry Requirements:

The following are eligible for admission:

 For M.Sc.:

  1. Graduates of Agriculture (B. Agric.) or related areas with a minimum of second class lower degree.
  2. Graduates of Agriculture (B. Agric.) or related areas with third class honours degree, who obtained a minimum of credit in the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Agricultural Economics of this University or other recognized university.
  3. Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agriculture who obtained a minimum of credit in the Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Agricultural Economics of this University or other recognized University.
  4. Graduates of other disciplines who obtain a minimum of credit in the Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Agricultural Economics of this University or other recognized University.
  5. Candidates are also expected to satisfy the university matriculation requirements.

 For PhD:

  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) holders in Agricultural Economics who score a GPA of 3.50 (A = 5.00) and above.

 MODE OF STUDY:

 M.Sc.

Course work and dissertation, where research and course work shall be equally emphasised.

 DURATION

MSc:               (Full-time)       –           Four (4) semesters (minimum)

Six (6) semesters (maximum)

(Part-time)       –          4 Semesters (minimum)

Six (6) semesters (maximum)

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

The programme consists of course work and seminars or special topics. To be awarded the Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics, a candidate must have fulfilled the following conditions:

  • Passed a minimum of 52 credit units as follows:

Course                                      Units

Core courses                               30

Electives                                      12

Thesis/Dissertation                  10

Seminar                                        2

Total                                         54

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Employment prospects of agricultural economics graduates are vast and bright; covering almost the entire sectors of the country’s economy. Our graduates have been and are still being employed as Research Officers, Farm Managers, Planing Officers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers in both the private and public sectors of the economy. Some have gone into full-fledge agricultural consultancy with encouraging results. In the Finance sub-sector, agricultural economics graduates are employed as Credit Officers, Agricultural Finance experts and Project Analyses in Commercial, Merchant and Development Banks. Many agribusiness enterprises are also seeking the expertise of agricultural economics graduates in the areas of Sales promotion, Product marketing, Farm Accounting and Project Formulation, Appraisal and Execution. Many Agricultural Economics graduates have branched out as Accountants and Financial Analysts and Managers. Thus, the opportunities for employment are very bright and will become even brighter

as Nigeria develops economically. Also, many post graduates are self employed.

Stress Areas

Applied Economic Theory 0
Quantitative Techniques 1
Farm Management & Production Economics 2
Agricultural Marketing & Agribusiness 3
Agricultural Cooperatives 4
Agricultural Finance & Project Analysis 5
Resource and Environmental Economics 6
Research in Agricultural Economics

Seminar

 7

8
Dissertation/Thesis 9

 

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES (REGULAR AND SANDWICH) IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

Philosophy:

This programme recognizes the need to update one’s knowledge to be able to meet the challenges posed by our dynamic agricultural sector. Such training would improve on efficiency as well as inspire candidates who have the desire to pursue further studies in agriculture. Improved efficiency raises productivity and places the candidates in advantageous position to better identify and appropriately address the problems of agriculture for the country. Specifically, the postgraduate diploma in Agricultural Economics is designed to provide postgraduate training in Agricultural Economics for Higher National Diploma graduates of Agriculture.  It is also designed to provide agricultural degree to professionals from other academic backgrounds wishing to convert to agriculture and recent graduates of Agriculture who otherwise would not qualify for admission into the Masters Degree Programmes in Agricultural Economics.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this programme is to update the theoretical and practical skills of graduates of agricultural tertiary institutions who have had some field experience. At the end of the training, they are expected to have acquired sufficient theoretical and practical expertise to enable them pursue higher degree programmes, and to function more effectively in their work places as farm managers, data collectors and analysts, and research coordinators, and employers of labour. The Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economies is aimed at: (a) producing graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in Agricultural Economics (b) exposing non-agriculture professionals but in related fields to knowledge and skills and practice of farm management and (c) provide training in specific aspects of farm management and technology transfer.

Scope:

Courses are offered to candidates who aspire to obtain postgraduate diploma qualification. Candidates are exposed to theoretical economic concepts in agricultural production, marketing, finance and project analysis. Their skills are expected to be effective in the formulation and analysis of agricultural problems using statistical techniques.

 Admission Requirements:

Candidates seeking admission for Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics must have any of the following qualifications from recognized institutions:

  • Matriculation requirement of the University including English and Mathematics requirements,
  • Higher National Diploma in Agriculture with minimum of upper credit,
  • Minimum of Pass Degree at Bachelor’s level in Agriculture or Science,

Job Opportunities:

Graduates of the postgraduate diploma programme in agricultural economics have a wide range of employment opportunities depending on their areas of specialization. Farm Management and Production Economics; Cooperative Studies, Agribusiness Studies, and resource and Environmental Economics. Generally, job opportunities exist in Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture, Departments of Cooperatives, agribusiness firms, marketing companies, crop and livestock farm enterprises, private organisations in rural development, Local Government Departments of Agriculture, and self employment.

 Requirements for Graduation:

The Programme consists of course work, project work and seminars or special topics. To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics, a candidate must have fulfilled the following:

  1. Passed a minimum of 26 Credit Units as follows:

Course                                           Units

Core                                                      10

Elective                                                 8

Project                                                   6

Seminar                                                 2

Total                                                  26

  1. Carried out a research project relevant to the area of specialization and submitted an acceptable project report.

Duration of Study

Full-time          –       2 Semesters (minimum) and 4 Semesters (maximum)

Part-time         –       4 Semesters (minimum) and 6 Semesters (maximum)

Stress Areas:

Applied Economic Theory 0
Quantitative Techniques 1
Farm Management & Production Economics 2
Agribusiness & Marketing 3
Agricultural Cooperatives 4
Agricultural Finance & Project Analysis 5
Resource and Environmental Economics 6
Research in Agricultural Economics

Seminar

 7

8
Project Report 9

Areas of Specialization

  1. Cooperative Studies
  2. Farm Management and Production Economics
  3. Agribusiness and Marketing
  4. Natural Resources and Environmental Economics

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