Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

The Department offers Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management respectively. The aim is to have an effective base for the training of world class manpower in Agricultural Economics as well Agribusiness Management.

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

The specific objectives of this sub-programme are to: 

1. teach the students the basic principles of agricultural and resource economics and related disciplines of economics, agricultural production, consumer behaviour, resource use efficiency and rural development, agricultural business management and marketing, cooperative management, effective farm management principles, agricultural finance and policy analysis among other sub-fields which can help them in optimizing resources under constraints.
2. expose students specializing in Agricultural Economics to courses in Farm Management and Accounting, Production Economics, Agricultural Development and Planning; International Trade; Calculus and Mathematical Economics, Economic Research Methods and Statistics as well as Field Experimentation to gain broad knowledge of agricultural economics and agribusiness theories.
3. equip students with skills and knowledge in the conduct of rigorous, evidenced based research to inform policy or course of action.
4. prepare students for careers in banking, management of projects/businesses, environmental and natural resource management, academia, donor funds management, marketing and entrepreneurship. 

AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

The specific objectives of the sub-programme of Agribusiness Management are to:

1. provide training for a wide variety of careers in the agribusiness industry so that such trainees and graduates can take up farming and other non-farm agribusinesses as a profitable livelihood upon graduation. 
2. be able to address the complex challenges in the agri-food systems from scientific knowledge acquired in disciplines of business and agricultural business, economics, quantitative methods, and agricultural sciences. These will help  in building competent and productive agripreneurs in the various agricultural value chains that will increase food supply, provide raw materials for industries and contribute to economic growth.
3. train a critical mass of graduates who will be able to provide leadership in efficient and prudent management of any type of agribusiness firm using acquired skills and knowledge in the field of agribusiness management 
4. build experts in agribusiness management with contemporary skills and knowledge in agricultural and commodity marketing at local and international levels, banking, management of projects/businesses, environmental and natural resource management, academia, donor funds management and entrepreneurship
5. train experts who are vast and skilled in business analysis and knowledgeable in legal issues that agribusinesses operate in. 

Faculty members and advisors will maintain close relationships with agribusiness companies, which would offer to help with internships, scholarships and employment in agribusiness fields. 

       (iii) Vision and Mission Statements

VISION

The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management at the University of Port Harcourt seeks to promote excellence in tertiary education and human capacity building in the area of agricultural economics and agribusiness management in the West African region in fulfilment of the University’s vision to be at the centre of entrepreneurship development.

MISSION

To be excellent in the pursuit of knowledge and skills through relevant and quality research, teaching, training for sustainable development, job creation, consultancy and outreach while contributing towards building improved human resources, agricultural productivity, agribusiness development, wealth creation and food security using environmentally sustainable technologies and community engagement.

Entry Requirements:

(a) O’ Level Subjects: Candidates will possess five credits in GCE/SSCE/NECO in the following subjects: Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science and any one of Physics, Economics, Commerce or Geography at not more than two sittings.

(b) UTME Subjects: Candidates seeking admission into programme must:

1. Pass the UTME, which must include Use of English, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and Biology or Agricultural Science.
2. Pass the Post-UTME and the screening test at an acceptable score/cut off point of the University.

(c)     Direct Entry

Prospective candidates of the Department must have a minimum of five (5) credit in WASC; GCE or NECO in Biology or Agricultural science, English Language, Mathematics and Chemistry.  The other credits could come from Economics, Commerce, Geography and Government.  The candidates who may fall in category two (Direct entry) must possess NCE, OND, or HND (at credit level) in addition to the minimum entry requirement for the JME candidates.

Graduation Requirements

1. A student must satisfy the requirements for the Supervised Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) before he/she can graduate.
2. Have a minimum CGPA of 1.00 in all units attempted and completed that is required for graduation.
3. The study must earn a minimum of 150 credit units for a five-year programme, before he/she can graduate. For direct entry into years two and three, a minimum of 120 credit units and 100 credit units respectively must be earned before the student can graduate.
4. The student must be found worthy in learning and character. The grade obtained by a student in any of the courses he/she offers and is duly registered for, depends on his/her performances in the continuous assessment and final examination.