Word from the Dean
The world of agribusiness is shifting and its growth is increasingly demanding as the world’s population continues to grow in the technological age. There is need to develop a work force with new skills values and attitudes to enable organisations increase productivity and deliver food and agribusiness products around the globe. In return this will equally empower consumers with more options, information and purchasing channels than ever before.The Kenya Vision 2030 identifies agriculture as a key sector through which to deliver 10 percent annual growth rates. The vision indicates, smallholder agriculture will be transformed from subsistence activities, marked by low productivity and low value addition, to ‘an innovative, commercially-oriented, internationally competitive and modern agricultural sector’. One of the key drivers for this transformation is agribusiness.
Agribusiness has been defined as ‘a sector that comprises all businesses involved in agricultural production, including farming and contract farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales’,. The Master of Management in Agribusiness program (MMA) will equip the students with skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to manage and lead the agribusiness sector.
The MMA graduates will not only be more marketable in senior agribusiness positions but will also be able to transform the agribusiness sector in Africa and beyond.
Overview
The Master of Management in Agribusiness degree program is designed to meet the growing need for agribusiness professionals with advanced conceptual, critical thinking and quantitative training. The degree program provides a unique blend of analytical, behavioral economics and business capabilities. The program explores management and innovation in the context of the distinctive relationship between land, agribusiness and the global trading environment. Kenyan and international students will appreciate the constraints and opportunities confronting leaders and managers operating in the agribusiness sectors including the understanding, analysis and management of bio-economic systems and agribusiness products and services.
The program is designed to meet the needs of executives keen on enhancing their management capabilities in agricultural input supply, agricultural production, commodity assembly and agro-processing, agricultural marketing organizations, environmental management, agricultural transport, storage and logistics, agricultural policy and global food systems. It provides a system–wide perspective of managerial problems confronting such leaders and leads them a path of providing sustainable solutions. The program seeks to produce graduates with sound ethical judgment, rigorous analysis, management competencies and ability to define and solve problems facing the agricultural and food sector in Africa. It prepares participants to help the global food and agribusiness sectors reinvent themselves.
What Makes our Master of Management in Agribusiness Different?
- Facilitated by a mix of top and reputable local and international faculty
- Guest lectures and workshops led by industry experts
- Field trips to a variety of reputable local and multinational agribusiness companies
- Practical master’s dissertation
- Global fellowship upon completing the course work
- Focus on the holistic development of the leaders in the agribusiness sector
- 50 years of experience producing graduates of international standard
- Combining academic rigour with real-life application.
- Extremely practical with farm modules
- Powerful networking.
- A beautiful Kenyan environment and world-class standards and maintenance.
- A serious commitment to the individual and the community.
- Strathmore is ranked among the best in everything it undertakes.
The world’s massive agricultural industry needs leaders who can tackle complex issues. With the global population growing at unprecedented rates, food production will need to double by 2050 – and geopolitical matters, limited water supplies and concerns about sustainability are becoming increasingly important.
Why undertake the Master of Management in Agribusiness at Strathmore Business School?
A Firm Foundation: Strathmore was started in 1961 as an A-Level College by a group of professionals, who were inspired and encouraged by Saint Josémaria Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei.
A unique Concept: Think for a moment about our beautiful continent—diverse in people, rich in culture and natural resources and well known for its hospitality. SBS captures these themes in one business concept: Developing Great Business Leaders. This is in perfect harmony with the founding principle of Strathmore University: that of leading society to greater development through service to all people.
A culture of Ethics and Learning: SBS encourages participants to aim for high ethical standards. We realize that the potential of Africa lies here and we can take Africa forward to a world where commitment and respect for each person form a strong basis for business decisions. Case studies are selected to bring the Agribusiness challenges in class and give the students the reality of the sector. The group interaction and participatory approach to teaching and learning gives the participants a chance to analyze new business problems, while sharpening the business decision-making skills.
Focus on People: SBS knows that it is people who matter. People are the heart of any organization and key to sustaining any organization. People are always our main focus in all we do. We give you personalized management education, with special emphasis on human and ethical values.
Strong Research Basis: The foundation for all Strathmore Business School programs is based on research conducted by our faculty as well as our other partners both in Academia as well as the industry. This research is based on our quest to provide sustainable solutions to our society through innovative capacity building programmes with hands on experience. Publications: Strathmore University Press (SUP), established in 2004, gives each participant an opportunity to read the latest research and conference writings. The press also gives you a chance to write and share your reflections with the academic world.
Networking: Our alumni and partners span the globe; this provides a great opportunity to build business networks. The composition of the participants allows for exchange of ideas with peers in various sectors. Your Strathmore MMA classmates represent various sectors of the food and agribusiness industries. By exchanging experiences and ideas through our blended curriculum, international travel and our visiting lecturers, you expand your professional network and establish lifelong friendships.
Learn relevant and immediately applicable content: Credentialed faculty members balance theory with real-life application to strengthen your critical-thinking skills. Through the capstone project, you transfer classroom concepts to the workplace by focusing on a significant issue at your company.
Career Pragmatism: SBS delivers a hands-on understanding of the business enterprise. The ability to solve complex agribusiness questions and the skills that are in demand by employers, including critical thinking, leadership, teamwork and communication. All leading to someone who can make a difference for Africa, Kenya, your community and your family.
Experience global business situations: Exploring issues from a global perspective throughout the MMA prepares you for the ultimate experience—a two –three week international residency. The trip exposes you to first-hand global business situations and solidifies classroom discussions surrounding international challenges and opportunities.
Participants who successfully complete the MMA program will be able to:
- Lead Kenya and Africa in addressing the tough questions facing food insecurity, new food value chains and provide a new era of entrepreneurial thinking to the many facets of agribusiness
- Work with economics and policy in an international perspective with a special emphasis on food, agribusiness and development.
- Gain knowledge about the way economic incentives can regulate the consumption and production of food, and why rich parts of the world have large food stocks while people in the third world are starving
- Broaden basic knowledge in economics, as well as profound knowledge concerning agricultural, environmental, and consumer issues
- Gain analytical conceptional skills for quickly acquainting oneself different topics
- Become more Innovative and independent thinkers
- Gain professional and social skills for the fulfilment of executive functions
Competitive advantage
As a MMA graduate, you’ll have two key advantages in the global agribusiness marketplace:
- A distinct academic qualification of Master of Management in Agribusiness from one of Africa’s top business school
- Practical experience in local and international business environments
- An extensive network that will allow you to work anywhere in the world
Program Structure
The contents of the Agribusiness master’s program are a blend of business acumen and agricultural entrepreneurship, as well as, a combination of classic, economic subjects with production engineering subjects from agricultural sciences. The program therefore pays tribute to the changes in the agricultural sector – with trends moving away from primary production towards the growing food processing and marketing industry. Future topics such as food safety, sustainable production, and resource conservation are thereby constantly in the focus of teaching and research. The program is designed such that students receive expert knowledge which complements their respective backgrounds. Students with agricultural or natural science backgrounds obtain additional qualifications in economic subjects. The standard period of study of this Master’s program is two and a half years on a modular structure.
The program is divided into three key components
- A compulsory section
- An elective section
- The dissertation and international fellowship
For Who
- Producers, processors, and distributors of agricultural and food products
- Investors keen on enhancing their management skills in the agribusiness sector
- Marketers of fresh and packaged foods, convenience meals, and snacks
- Major grocery chains, specialty food retailers, and food service providers
- Manufacturers and distributors of agricultural supplies and farm equipment
- Financial services firms that directly serve the agribusiness industry
- Government agencies and educational institutions that further agribusiness for the public good
- County government executives and Directors of Agriculture
- Biotech companies that shape the future of global food, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors
- Researchers who are keen in shaping the agribusiness research think tanks
- Management teams of co-operatives and Sacco’s
- Anyone interested in investing in the Agribusiness Sector
Admission Requirements
- Holders of First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degrees from recognized universities; or
- Holders of other related qualifications from recognized universities, considered by the Academic Council as equivalent to a First Class or Upper Second Class degree; or
- Holders of Lower Second Class degrees plus Postgraduate Diplomas or Certificates.
- Any other criteria that may be approved by the Academic Council. All applicants will also be required to attend and pass an oral interview and a Graduate Entrance Examination (GEE). A valid Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score may be used instead of the GEE.
Fees and Funding
The program fee is Ksh 955,000
How to apply
Application forms are available at the SBS office or can be downloaded from here
Send the completed form with your CV, two reference letters (one academic and one personal/employer), copies of your degree certificates and transcripts and 2 passport size photographs to agribusiness@strathmore.edu
You may also drop your fully completed application form at our offices at Strathmore Business School.
