Agricultural Economics and Development (BSc)
May 5, 2025 2026-08-17 14:31Agricultural Economics and Development (BSc)
INTRODUCTION
These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and the
General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degree programmes herein referred to as General Regulations.
OBJECTIVES
2.1 To develop an agricultural economics and development related degree programme relevant to Zimbabwe and the developing regions through contributing towards sustainable food production, natural resources management and overall economic growth.
2.2 To respond to stakeholders’ needs for viability related to Agricultural and Natural Resources Management, through teaching research and extension.
2.3 Provision of a supportive environment for the theory and practice of Economics of Agriculture and Development in Natural Resources Management and Agriculture.
2.4 Production of competitive and innovative graduates for various career opportunities in private and public sectors as well as self-employment.
2.5 Creation of an understanding of a holistic or integrated systems approach to agricultural development and related Natural Resources Management.
| Degree Profile of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agricultural Economics and Development (HAGED) | |
| Duration: | 4 years |
| Actual Credit Load
Minimum Credit Load Maximum Credit Load Total MBKS Credit Load: |
516
480 540 384 |
| Level: | ZNQF-LEVEL 8 |
| Period of reference: | 2020 -2025 |
| 1.0 Purpose of the Programme |
| To address the demand of Agricultural Economics techniques and development analysis in the areas of sustainable food production, natural resource management and overall economic growth. |
| 2.0 Entry Requirements |
| NORMAL ENTRY
Prospective students should have at least five ‘O’ Level passes including English Language, Science and at least a B in Mathematics and any two ‘A’ Level passes in the following subjects Agriculture, Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies, Sociology, Accounts, Geography and Biology. SPECIAL ENTRY Relevant Diploma based on departmental board evaluation. |
| 3.0 Programme characteristics | |
| Areas of study: | Micro/Macro/Environment Economics for Agriculture, Agricultural Development and Econometrics |
| Specialist Focus: | Economic Data analysis, Policy analysis and Rural Development |
| Orientation | Oriented towards innovation and application of theory to solve real life problems |
| Distinctive Features: | Knowledge development in Applied Agricultural research, statistical and econometric skills. |
| 4.0 Career opportunities and Further Education | |
| Employability: | Private Sector – Bankers, commodity brokers, Agribusiness Finance Managers, Applied Economists, Consultants, Marketing Agents/Sales Representatives, Extensionists, education, real estate, and public relations.
Public Sector – Researchers (Applied Economists, Marketing Agents,) Extensionists, Lecturers, natural resource and environmental management, Education and Public Relations Self-Employment – Farmers, Consultants |
| Further Studies: | Masters and Doctoral studies in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Development, Policy Studies. |
| 5.0 Programme Delivery | |
| Teaching and Learning Methods: | Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, group work, industrial and farm/filed visits, work-related learning, dissertations, |
| Assessment Methods: | Written and oral examinations, tests, quiz, group presentations, work-related learning reports, final year dissertations, continuous assessment (30%), Final exam (70%) |
| 6.0 Intended Learning outcomes |
| · Students to identify and define different agricultural development and societal theories
· Ability to apply economic principles in environmental and natural resources management · Students to be able to analyse trade and other macroeconomic policies · Identify problems in agricultural production and development · To develop new practices methods and technologies that enhance production efficiency · Students to master econometric software · Create an understanding and application of entrepreneur skills for employment creation. · Students should have the ability to apply effective communication and extension skills. |
8.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- The BSc in Agricultural Economics and Development (HAGED) is a four year full-time programme.
- In Level 3, all students will be on Work Related Learning for a minimum period of ten months. During the same period, students will be expected to carry out a research project.
7.3 A student shall be enrolled for at least five modules at any time during the semester, two of which should be core/compulsory.
- Students can include in their programme of study, modules offered by other departments.
- Students may be allowed to change registration for modules taken in any semester only during the first two weeks of registration.
8.0 PROGRAME ASSESSMENT
Refer to Section 6 of General Regulations and Section 5 of Faculty Regulations.
9.0 PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
Refer to Section 6 of Faculty Regulations
10.0 FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Refer to Section 9 of the General Regulations.
11.0 GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
Refer to Section 9 of the Faculty Regulations.
12.0 DEGREE WEIGHTING
Refer to section 10 of Faculty Regulations.
13.0 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
12.1 The degree programme shall have at least 32 taught modules spread over the six teaching semesters.
Level 1.1
| Code | Module Title |
| AGED131 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics |
| AGPR131 | Agricultural Practice 1 |
| CS131 | Basic Communication Skills |
| HCS135 | Introduction to Information Technology |
| AGED133 | Mathematics for Agricultural Economics |
| AGED139 | Introduction to Agricultural Planning and Development |
| LWR135 | Principles of Soil Sciences |
| AGRO135 | Plant Biology and Physiology |
Level 1.2
| Code | Module Title |
| HAWS122 | Principles of Animal Production |
| AGRO133 | Principles of Crop Production |
| AGED132 | Microeconomics for Agriculture 1 |
| AGPR132 | Agricultural Practice 2 |
| AGED134 | Macroeconomics for Agriculture 1 |
| AGED135 | Introduction to Rural Sociology |
| AGED138 | Statistics for Agricultural Economics |
Level 2.1
| Code | Module Title |
| ENT131 | Entrepreneurship |
| AGED232 | Financial Management |
| AGED233 | Microeconomics for Agriculture 2 |
| AGED234 | Macroeconomics for Agriculture 2 |
| AGED231 | NGOs and Agricultural Development |
| AEGS231 | Gender Studies |
Level 2.2
| Code | Module Title |
| AGED235 | Economics of Environmental Management |
| AGED236 | Research Methods for Agricultural Economics |
| AGED239 | Project Management |
| AGED237 | Agribusiness Management |
| AGED238 | Econometrics 1 |
| AGED240 | Farm Business Management |
Options: Choose at least 1
| Code | Module Title |
| LWR246 | Climate Change and Adaptation (Optional) |
| AGPR234 | Value Addition in Agriculture (Optional) |
Level 3: Work Related Learning
| Code | Module Title | Prerequisites | Credits |
| AGPR301 | Work Related Learning Report | All level 1.1 modules | 45 |
| AGPR302 | Academic Supervisor’s Assessment Report | 30 | |
| AGPR303 | Employer’s Assessment Report | 45 |
Level 4.1
| Code | Module Title |
| AGED432 | Agricultural Policy Analysis |
| AGED431 | Agricultural Price Analysis & Forecasting |
| AGED438 | Production Economics |
| AGED435 | International Trade Theory |
Choice requirement: Choose either AGED437 or AGED440, only one.
| Code | Module Title |
| AGED437 | Banking and Capital Markets |
| AGED440 | Econometrics 2 |
Level 4.2
| Code | Module Title |
| AGED444 | Dissertation |
| AGED436 | Insurance and Risk Management |
| AGED434 | Disaster Management |
| AGED439 | Agricultural Extension |
| AGED433 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture |
