Study program Agribusiness Management, MSc, accreditation

Content of the master study program “Agribusiness management”

Study program profile and macro environment analysis

Studies in the master program “Agribusiness Management” will be organized in the form of physical presence, without distance from work. The program will be implemented through lectures, exercises, consultations, and study visits of professors and successful entrepreneurs from abroad, student participation in research projects and through presentations of seminar papers / essays. The master studies program in the profile of “Agribusiness Management” lasts two years and is divided into four semesters. Students attend lectures and exercises in compulsory and elective subjects. All courses are one semester. FLES uses a variety of methods which contribute not only to the preparation of students for specific professions, but also to the preparation for further studies and employment. The academic staff of FLES is committed to improve and advance teaching methods, through participation in trainings, learning lessons and practices from advanced experiences. Utilizing cooperation with partner universities in Albania, Germany, Italy, Hungary and other prestigious universities, as well as following the development policies proclaimed by the Government of Kosovo.

FLES is the only and unique faculty in Kosovo that offers agribusiness management studies of this profile, with a perspective to develop the regional market of knowledge and labour. Student participation in lectures and exercises is mandatory and is a prerequisite for passing the course successfully. To successfully complete their studies, students are required to comply with the approved regulations of the University as well as the regulations on the rights and obligations of students and teachers. Each module must be completed by meeting the requirements set out in the Self-Assessment Report (SER) and syllabus of the respective module. The detailed plan of the structure of the mandatory and elective modules, their organization as well as the credits obtained for each module are defined during the drafting of SER. In the near future, FLES is planning to advance the master study program “Agribusiness management” into the double degree studies (diploma) with Agricultural University of Tirana or one of EU partner universities.

Regarding the analysis of the macro environment, it can be concluded that agricultural sector, including the rural economy and the agribusiness industry, is the engine of the economy of the Republic of Kosovo. Although agribusiness SMEs in Kosovo are facing full of systemic and structural challenges that needs to be addressed by the government and other involved actors, to use its competitive potential and economic growth. Despite these issues, Kosovo has 1,1 million ha land out of which 53% is agricultural land (out of which 54.3% belong to permanent grasslands, 43.6% arable land, 1.9% permanent crops and 0.3% kitchen garden), 41% are forests,  6% belong to other land uses. Furthermore, the agriculture sector is the largest employer in Kosovo and generates 34% of total employment. Agriculture contributes with about 10.3% to the GDP and 17.6% of the total export.

The development of agribusiness sector is of the particular importance in terms of improving the trade balance, reducing unemployment, food security, environmental protection and improving welfare. Furthermore, the development of the agri-food sector is based on competitiveness and innovation, aiming to increase productivity and production quality in order to meet the demands of the EU and regional markets. Furthermore, it will give very valuable contribution to the provision of food supply, for economic, social and environmental purposes, and to promote employment and the development of human capital.  It will be pivotal as well as in protecting the natural resources and environment of rural areas, addressing the challenges of climate change. Improving the quality of life and diversifying employment opportunities in rural areas by promoting employment, social inclusion and balanced territorial development of rural areas. It will contribute to the investments in new technologies and increase of processing capacities of the agri-food industry, such as meat, milk, fruits, vegetables and grapes; investing in business and service activities in rural and mountainous areas (rural tourism, aromatic plants and mountain fruits).

Based on official statistics from TAK (Kosovo Tax Administration), it results that the number of agribusiness enterprises in our country is over 2,400 food production enterprises. This number of agribusiness industry is expected to increase in the future, despite the effects of the global crisis, as a result of the increased demand for agricultural and food products.

Table 1.1. Registered agribusiness enterprises (2015-2019)

Source: KAS, processed by DEAAS (MAFRD)

Even in the global perspective, agriculture has moved beyond simple agriculture aiming to become a vast and complex system. Today’s agriculture goes beyond the farm, including the entire production and processing cycle which means a process that includes activities from “farm to fork”. Today, a large number of agribusinesses play a role in the “agricultural and food value chain”. The value chain approach includes not only farmers but also companies and firms that provide inputs, food production and processing companies, power generation, wholesale and retail trade and consumer supply. In line with these global trends, this study program covers a wide range of topics, like production economics, marketing, business planning, food quality management, value chain, farm management and other important topics for agribusiness management. The program offers students the opportunity to engage in specialized research projects in this field. To deepen the theoretical academic and research knowledge, this program will also offer the field visits to various processing companies to develop and build practical knowledge of students, where the students can learn the techniques and gain necessary skills to solve the problems, they will be able to improve management skills, for the future to be value-added of small and medium enterprises of agribusiness.

Agribusiness managers are usually sensitive of their financial position, government legislative acts and environmental regulations, the bargaining power of their clients, and identifying competitors in the market. However, the above changes indicate an urgent need to update the management practices of agribusiness operators, which should increasingly incorporate entrepreneurial principles.

Comparability with international study programs

Note: Study programs of European Universities with which the program “Agribusiness management” is comparable (University # 1 means the University with which the study programs have comparability 75% and Universities # 2 means the Universities with which the study program is comparable 25%)

[1] University of Hohenheim (2020). Agribusiness (MSc.). Available at: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/agribusiness-master-studium

[2] Szent István University (2020). Rural Development and Agrobusiness (MSc.). Available at: http://gtk.sziu.hu/en/prospective-students/degree-courses/rural-development-and-agribusiness-master-msc

[3] Universiteti Bujqësor i Tiranës (2020). Administrim i Ndermarrjeve të Agrobiznesit (MSc.). Available at: https://ubt.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kurrikula-AGB-Master-Shkencor.pdf

[4] GISMA Business School (2020). International Agrobusiness (MSc.). Available at: https://www.gisma.com/course/msc-international-agribusiness

The objectives of the study program “Agribusiness Management” are designed in order to prepare students to:

• Understand the characteristics and trends of agri-food markets, the role of farmers and their representatives in organizations,
• Recognize the intersection of agri-food industry with other areas of economic and social interest, such as economic development and innovative and sustainable ways of production and diversification of businesses in the agribusiness sector
• Identify the characteristics of agri-food enterprises and develop effective management strategies.
• To be able to develop a global business plan for agri-food companies.
• Apply advanced marketing techniques to promote sustainability in the agri-food sector and organizations.
• Understand and apply project management techniques at the farm level,
• Manage the agri-food chain,
• To know the ecosystem this is related to agro-industry,
• Possess knowledge and skills to use of new technologies and innovation within farms or agro-industrial organizations and advanced production channels,
• Understand the international organizations operating in the agri-food sector as well as the supporting international policies and programmes related to agribusiness sector,

After completing the studies of the master program “Agribusiness management”, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an ability to apply economic principles to problems of farms, agri-enterprises, and other institutions in the food and fiber industries
• Demonstrate an awareness of global issues relevant to agribusiness and agricultural development,
• Demonstrate an appreciation for diversity in agribusiness employees, customers, and producers,
• Demonstrate an ability to apply the scientific method in an area relevant to agribusiness and economics,
• Propose and assess economic policy solutions to agricultural and food issues,
• Develop a business plan or case study on an agribusiness topic
• Demonstrate an ability to exercise judgment of environmental impacts of agribusiness decisions
• Demonstrate technological skills used in quantitative analysis, such as ability to perform statistical analysis using spreadsheet.
• Effectively use appropriate data sources to obtain information on the agricultural and food sectors
• Lead investment projects,
• Organize and implement research projects,
• Manage time effectively and independently,