AGRI3123: Agribusiness Project Planning & Analysis

The module "Agribusiness Project Planning and Analysis" is taught to students of third year, Agribusiness. It encompasses two components: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship and Project Appraisal. 

Brief description of aims and content

Aim:

The main objective of this course is to equip students with the understanding of the concepts of Agribusiness, Project Appraisal & Project (Monitoring &) Evaluation in terms of the notions: Agribusiness – Global, Regional, & National contexts, Global agenda & National Policies & Strategies to develop Agribusinesses, Project Appraisal: meaning, Scope & Types/Forms, Project (Monitoring &) Evaluation (M&E)

Also to equip students with skills & capabilities to develop/write an Agribusiness project proposal, conduct appraisals correctly, plan a project M&E matrix; and execute a final project evaluation (at the end of project implementation).

Content:

• Meaning, origin of term, and an overview of some of major (Global/Multinational), regional and local Agribusinesses
• Meaning of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and creativity
• Project appraisal: Meaning, Process, and Criteria
• Forms/Types: Technical appraisal, Social appraisal
• Appraisal on Gender/Youth inclusion
• Economic & financial appraisal: cost-benefit analysis & IRR
• Environmental Appraisal (Environmental Impact Assessment)
• Project (Monitoring &) Evaluation
• Meaning and significance
• Theory of AGB Project appraisal & evaluation…
• An overview of Agribusinesses in Rwanda
• Business development model, lean canvas, value proposition canvas
• Business person vis an entrepreneur
• Types of entrepreneurs
• Management functions

Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of the course students shall be expected to:

• demonstrate a clear understanding and knowledge of agribusiness, project appraisal, Monitoring and Evaluation, and entrepreneurship related concepts
• demonstrate skills and capabilities to develop/write an Agribusiness project proposal, conduct appraisals correctly, plan a project M&E matrix; and execute a final project evaluation (at the end of project implementation); and.

References

 "AGS: Agribusiness development". FAO.org. Retrieved 2013-   05-02.

 Ng, Desmond; Siebert, John W. (2009). "Toward Better   Defining the Field of Agribusiness Management" (PDF).        International         Food and Agribusiness   Management Review 12 (4).

John Wilkinson. "The Globalization of Agribusiness and Developing World Food Systems”

John Filicetti (August 2007), PMO and Project Management Dictionary Cost-Benefit Analysis, 2nd edition, (2001) by Boardman, Greenberg, Vining, and      Weimer, ISBN 0-13-087178-8 Pearson Education, Prentice Hall.

Anthony E. Boardman, David H. Greenberg, Aidan R. Vining, and David L. Weimer,           (1996) Cost – Benefit Analysis: Concepts and Practice, 1st Edition, by           http://www.prenhall.com/books/be_0135199689.html

Hanley, N and Spash, C (1993). Cost Benefit Analysis and the Environment. Edward Elgar. Cambridge University Press.

Brent, Robert J. Cost-Benefit Analysis for Developing Countries. Edward Elgar \Publishing. Overseas Development Administration. Appraisal of Projects in Developing Countries. A Guide for Economists. HMSO Publications.

Layard, Richard and Glaister, Stephen (eds) Cost-Benefit Analysis. Second edition. Cambridge.

Kohli, K. N (1993). Economic analysis of investment projects: a practical approach. Oxford University Press.

EAC, COMESA/SADC, CEPGL and other Developing Countries

Agribusiness within Contexts of the MDGs/SDGs; National  Vision 2020; EDPRS Iⅈ and  SPAT: I – III/IV; and

Htpp://Agrihub Rwanda//AgriProFocus

www.minaloc.gov.rw (INZEGO DOCS)

www.DISTRICT.gov.rw – District Development Plans

www.ur.ac.rw – Research & Community Outreach Project Reports

Peter F. Drucker-Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Ardichvilli, A., Cardozo, R., & Ray, S. (2003) - A Theory of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Identification and Development - Journal of Business Venturing, Vol. 18, pp 105–124

Thomas M. Cooney (2012)-Entrepreneurship Skills for Growth-Orientated Businesses- Report for the Workshop on ‘Skills Development for SMEs and Entrepreneurship,Copenhagen  

Sweety Gupta –Functions of Management