University of Pretoria Yearbook 2024
MPhil Agricultural Economics (Coursework)
(07255251)
Department Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
Minimum duration of
2 years
study
Total credits 180
NQF level 09
Admission requirements
1. Relevant honours degree
or
relevant postgraduate diploma (PGDip)
2. A cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree or postgraduate diploma
Other programme-specific information
The degree programme must be completed within four years after the first registration.
Please note that not all modules are presented every year.
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Curriculum: Year 1
Core modules
Institutional economics 882 (LEK 882)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 lecture per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Institutional and behavioural economics. This module will expose students to the principles of the New
Institutional Economics paradigm and how it can be utilized to improve the analysis of agricultural economic and
agricultural development problems and issues. Major themes covered are: The agricultural development
challenge: stylised features; new institutional economics: distinctive features and concepts; institutions and
development: A historical and macro-perspective techno-economic characteristics and agricultural systems and
products in poor countries; NIE analysis of markets and markets structures; the State: Political and institutional
determinants of agricultural policy; collective action; transactions costs in smallholder agriculture; case studies.
Elective modules
Quantitative methods for agricultural and environmental policy 814 (LEK 814)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 lecture per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 2
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Module content
Quantitative models for agricultural and environmental policy. This module will introduce students to
applications of discrete choice and linear regression models to agricultural and environmental economics. These
include demand systems, production functions and treatment effects/impact assessment models. The second
part of the class will focus on mathematical programming and numerical methods including but not limited to
multisector models, Input-output and programming models and social accounting matrices for consistent
production planning, growth, income distribution and trade policy analysis. Computable general equilibrium
models.
Partial equilibrium modelling and commodity market analysis 820 (LEK 820)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites EKT 723 or LEK 810
Contact time 1 lecture per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
This module focuses on the modelling of agricultural commodity markets, price determination, policy and trade.
The main objective is to provide the basic theoretical principles and skills for partial-equilibrium model building
and and opportunity to apply these skills. The approach will include:
1) Economic theory: The theoretical foundations of each modelling component of a typical commodity balance
sheet and set of prices will be emphasised in the design and specification of models; price formation and model
closure under alternative equilibrium pricing conditions
2) Applied research: Advanced steps in modelling will be emphasised. Throughout the module, applied
modelling research will be conducted and presented to gain experience with methods discussed in class. The
course applies economic theory and quantitative methods to analyse food and agricultural markets, price, trade
and policy issues. The module examines problem formulation, model structure, estimation, and model
evaluation applied to demand and supply and to trade and policy interventions.
Environmental valuation and policy 826 (LEK 826)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 lecture per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
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Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Environmental valuation and policy. This module will review the basic principles of microeconomic theory
needed for understanding and analysis of environmental problems, introduce market and non-market
techniques of valuation of natural resources and environmental services (hedonic pricing, contingent valuation,
transport cost, willingness-to-pay, cost-based techniques, etc.), public goods and environmental externalities,
property rights regimes and selection of appropriate environmental policy instruments for management of
environmental externalities.
Agricultural supply chain management 883 (LEK 883)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 lecture per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Agricultural supply chain analysis. Explore the evolution of supply chain management in the global food industry.
Establish the different ways in which supply chain management can provide a source of competitive advantage
at industry level and for individual firms. Examine the crossfunctional and multidisciplinary nature of supply
chain management as it applies in the global food industry. Introduce the core elements of the theoretical
literature on supply chain management and consider applications in different sectors. Provide students with
practical experience in applying the principles of supply chain management to the exploitation of a marketing
opportunity, using case examples from the fresh produce and meat sectors. Provide students with practical
experience of undertaking a supply chain audit, with a view to establishing an appropriate business strategy for
a food manufacturing company.
The economics of natural resources 886 (LEK 886)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites LEK 810 or equivalent
Contact time 1 lecture per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 2
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Module content
The economics of natural resources. This course will introduce students to the techniques of optimisation
overtime, optimal allocation and management of non-renewable and renewable resources, with case studies
from Africa. The influence of property rights regimes on optimal natural resource use will also be stressed. The
course consists of three main sections: Methods of dynamic optimisation; Theory of exhaustible and renewable
resources and growth models; and Property rights and natural resource use with case studies from Africa.
Selected topics in environmental economics 887 (LEK 887)
Module credits 15.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites MIE 780 and EKT 713 or equivalents
Contact time 1 lecture per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Selected topics in environmental economics. This module will introduce students to various issues of special
importance in environmental economics and policy with special emphasis on international dimensions. Examples
of key themes to be covered include trade and the environment, trans-boundary externalities, global public
goods, multi-lateral environmental agreements, international aid, economic growth and environmental change,
poverty and the environment, etc. The main objective of the module is to equip students with the appropriate
tools for analysing the linkages between economic development, trade and globalization, poverty, economic and
environmental policy and environmental change.
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Curriculum: Final year
Core modules
Dissertation: Agricultural economics 898 (LEK 898)
Module credits 120.00
NQF Level 09
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Agricultural Economics Extension and Rural Develo
Period of presentation Year
General Academic Regulations and Student Rules
The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and
registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at
the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that
they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the
relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant
yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or
basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations. The G Regulations are updated annually and
may be amended after the publication of this information.
Regulations, degree requirements and information
The faculty regulations, information on and requirements for the degrees published here are subject to change
and may be amended after the publication of this information.
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 (HEQSF) 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.
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