Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Economics) Course at Botswana College of Engineering and Technology (BCET)

Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Agricultural Economics) Course at Botswana College of Engineering and Technology (BCET)

What is Agricultural Economics?

Agricultural economics is an applied field of economics concerned with the application of economic theory in optimizing the production and distribution of food and fiber products. Agricultural economics began as a branch of economics that specifically dealt with land usage. 

DESCRIPTION:

Objectives

The aim of this programme is to train students who will be able to assist farmers attain better financial returns in their enterprises and establish their own agribusinesses. At the end of this programme the graduates should be able to:

  1. Analyze agricultural policy problems in relation to production and marketing.
  2. Advise farmers on farm business management.
  3. Conduct market research in the agricultural industry.
  4. Manage agribusinesses and retail outlets.
  5. Assist farmers in the preparation of sound business plans.
  6. Identify potential value addition to farm products through processing.
  7. Advise farmers and farmers’ groups on how to market their products efficiently.
  8. Apply both quantitative and qualitative economic methods and concepts, in applied analysis as professionals in government, business and non-profit making agencies.
  9. Advise government on appropriate policies to implement in order to develop the rural sector in general and the agricultural sector in particular.

Employment Opportunities

The introduction of the BSc Agricultural Economics programme was based on the findings of the needs assessment survey which revealed that employment opportunities exist for BSc Agricultural Economics graduates in the following positions and areas:

  1. Farm managers for commercial farms
  2. Managers in supermarkets/chain stores
  3. Policy analysts in the agricultural sector
  4. Non-governmental organisations concerned with rural development
  5. Non-profit organisations concerned with the reduction of poverty
  6. Agribusinesses involved in processing and marketing
  7. Agricultural input industries
  8. Self-employment in various agricultural enterprises, starting from the primary, secondary to the tertiary sectors
  9. Government establishments
  10. Development banks (National Development Bank (NDB) and Citizen Entrepreneurial Agency (CEDA).
  11. Parastatals involved in marketing of agricultural products are Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB).
  12. Agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ associations
  13. Consultancy firms