Dr. Lovemore Musemwa – Department Chairperson
Introduction
The Department of Agricultural Economics, Education and Extension was established in 2012 and evolved from the former Agricultural Education and Extension unit in the now defunct Department of Agriculture. Currently the Department houses the Bachelor of Agricultural Science Honours Degree (Agricultural Economics and Management) programme which is offered under conventional or block release arrangements as well as the MSc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, offered as a Weekend or Block release programme at the Harare or Bindura Campuses.
The department also offers tailor-made short training courses in farm business management, agribusiness and entrepreneurship development, computerised data analysis as well as farm machinery maintenance to targeted groups such as farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs and rural development practitioners. In addition, the department is running associateship programmes with Shamva Agricultural College (Diploma in Agriculture), Fambidzanayi Permaculture Centre (Diploma in Agroecology), Chaminuka Training Centre and Magamba Training Centre (Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma in Agriculture Specializing in Tobacco). The latter programmes at Chaminuka and Magamba are partially funded through BAT Zimbabwe scholarships.
To develop competent agricultural scientists and practitioners who are capable of applying sound scientific principles in knowledge generation and management for sustainable agriculture.
Objectives
- To expose students to scientific principles and practices of agriculture.
- To develop and foster among students, the attitude of sustainable agriculture.
- To provide students with hands-on experience in agriculture.
Employment Opportunities for Graduates
Formal and informal employment opportunities exist in the public and private sectors. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Government departments
- Non-governmental organizations
- Private agribusiness entrepreneurship ventures/projects
- Financial institutions
- Teaching and research in universities, colleges and schools
- Private consultancy in research, training and advisory services
Affiliated Colleges
- Chaminuka Training Centre (Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma in Agriculture Specializing in Tobacco)
- Magamba Training Centre (Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma in Agriculture Specializing in Tobacco).
- Shamva Agricultural College (Diploma in Agriculture),
- Fambidzanayi Permaculture Centre (Diploma in Agroecology)
Undergraduate Programmes
Postgraduate Programmes
Current Research and Extension Themes
- Evaluation of conservation agriculture technologies
- Integration of ICT technologies in agricultural market intelligence
- Evaluation of floating trays technology in tobacco nurseries
- Alternative marketing strategies for organic farmers
- Financial inclusion initiatives in smallholder agriculture
- Livestock value chain development
- Irrigation policy and impact assessment of irrigation development
- Farm machinery operation and maintenance training
- Agribusiness, entrepreneurship development training
- Data collection, management and analysis training
Departmental Staff