| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 02241002 | Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences | Department: Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 1 jaar | Totale krediete: 120 | NQF level: 08 |
This programme is coordinated in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development.
The aim of this programme is to enable graduates to participate in and lead rural development processes and policy initiatives. It provides a broad-based understanding of rural development, including project planning and analysis and strategic management.
Note: Additional modules may be required in order to reach the desired level of competency
In order to obtain the degree, the candidate must achieve a minimum of 50% in each of the prescribed modules.
An average of 75% in all the prescribed modules must be obtained in order to pass the degree with distinction.
University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.
Minimum krediete: 120
Module-inhoud:
Introduction to the Communication Process, its role and importance. Communication and perception - role of Extension in AKIS. Clarification of principles and definitions; theory of communication; Strategies for communication and Extension methods. Key elements and channels of communication; credibility; persuasion; public speaking; audio visual aids; mass media and their effect; new reporting; articles and newsletters. Designing communication interventions. Impact assessment approaches and tools. Appreciative Communication Inquiry: 5-D Approach.
Module-inhoud:
Overview of the origin, role, development of extension; Philosophy and principles of extension. International approaches to extension delivery: Training and Visit, Farming system development, Project approach, Farmer Field Schools, Participatory Extension and Participatory Technology Development. Extension's role in sustainable agriculture development; Adult learning principles, privatizing and outsourcing of agricultural extension; the role of non-governmental organisations (NGO's) in extension delivery. Decentralisation of extension. Participation and coordination of stakeholders in the planning of linkages between extension, research and the farming community.
Module-inhoud:
Research project and case study of rural problems, challenges and dynamics in rural communities. The research project should address an important contemporary rural development problem or challenge and contribute towards the solution thereof.
Module-inhoud:
Challenges and objectives of development, including the issues of underdevelopment, hunger, poverty and inequalities. Definitions of development, economic development, growth, rural development and agricultural development. Overview and evolution of concepts and theories of agriculture and rural development. Overview of past and emerging ideas to accelerate development of rural economic sectors, including agricultural innovation, technology innovation, development pathways. The roles of agriculture and structural transformation in development and options for the development of small-scale agriculture. Introduction to institutions and organisations in agriculture and rural development. The importance of agriculture in the rural economy (agro-industries, agribusiness), the rural non-farm economy, rural infrastructure, rural finance, human capital (health and education) and basic services (water, electricity & sanitation) in rural development. Special applications integrated into the content, including: climate change, migration, conflict, food security, gender, land reform and sustainability (SDG, Africa’s Agenda 2063, National Development Plans). Case study: Analysis of a practical agricultural and rural development problem.
Module-inhoud:
Strategic management in agriculture. Dynamics of agricultural management. Entrepreneurship. Environmental scanning. Productivity measurement and improvement thereof by the organisation of manpower, capital and financial sources. Business growth. Formulation and implementation of competitive strategy. Corporate governance, strategic analysis and strategic choice, strategy implementation, balanced scorecard.
Module-inhoud:
a) Project planning and priority setting (project concept to rural socioeconomic development, logical framework analysis, research priority setting methods, strategic planning, scenario planning).
b) Economic analysis of agricultural development projects through CBA (decision making in public and private sectors, financial, social and economic considerations; identification of Cs and Bs, valuation of Cs and Bs; project assessment criteria.
c) Monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment (process and program monitoring, MandE systems; causality, incrementality and the attribution problem; impacts assessment methodology.
d) Project management (scheduling, techniques for management, managing risk and uncertainty, monitoring performance
e) Welfare economics and political economy considerations (Pareto optimality, compensation tests, efficiency and distribution, politics of CBA, development projects vs. development policies, first vs. second best shadow prices, market failure)
Module-inhoud:
Nature, philosophy and objectives of Extension. The group as channel and instrument in extension; definitions and characteristics of groups; group formation; theories regarding the functioning of groups; group norms; group goals; small group techniques; rural groups and their engagement; definitions and theories of leadership; behaviour and attitude in group work; the extensionist as professional leader; group analysis in group context and process; training of leaders. Conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation. Ethics in extension and agricultural development. Management in extension; Strategic planning; functions of management.
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