HOD - Dr. SAKUMONA, Mushekwa
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Department of Agriculture Science was established in February 2020 under the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at Mukuba University. The establishment of the department was aimed at building capacity in human resources that can turn the agricultural industry into the main economic backbone within Zambia, SADC region and beyond.
The Department will offer two undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, respectively. The two-year Master of Science programmes in Agronomy (Crop Science specialisation) and Post-Harvest Processing and Management will have two options, either as taught MSc or purely by Research. The taught option will be divided into one year course work (Part I) and one year guided research (Part II).
The undergraduate programmes, Bachelor of Science with Honours with specialisation either in Crop Production or Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship will be offered in collaboration with Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technological (MUAST) in Zimbabwe. The programmes have duration of four years inclusive of one semester learning at MUAST in Zimbabwe and a semester for industrial attachment.
STUDENT ADMISSION
Students admitted to pursue any of the Bachelor of Science with Honours do foundation natural science courses in their first year before choosing their major in second year. The one semester for “work-based experience programme” provides a real-life organisational context for students to develop specific or generic skills, valuable to their professional development or manage their own agricultural enterprise. In addition, students are expected to do a one year research project before graduating.
The department has a field research station within the campus for student and academic staff research and practical. In addition, the university acquired a farm in Mushindamo District located approximately 120 km from Mukuba University. The farm will be used for commercial production, research and teaching. Academic staff in the department is actively involved in research aimed at resolving challenges facing food producers and mangers in agribusiness sector.
OUR GOALS AS A DEPARTMENT
- To provide relevant education to the students in Crop production, Crop Improvement, Post-harvest, Food safety and processing, Agribusiness and entrepreneurship.
- To promote research and training on sustainable development of agricultural productivity, crop protection, and livestock production.
- To encourage the youths and women on entrepreneurship and rural development.
- To provide consultancy in agriculture to disseminate the technology innovation to the producer through integrated extension activities.
ACADEMIC STAFF
RESEARCH INTERESTS
|
- Plant Breeding(Resistance and Quality Traits)
- Agriculture for Development
- Climate Smart Agriculture
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Plant Biotechnology
- Under-utilised genetic resources
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE PROGRAMMES ON OFFER NOW:
Year 1
CODE COURSE NAME
MAT 150 Foundation Mathematics and Statistics
CHE 110 Foundation Chemistry
BIO 110 Foundation Biology
PHY 120 Foundation Physics
CSS 122 Communication and Study Skills
BCS 121 Basic Computer Skills
Year 2 Semester I
AGB 211 Principles agriculture economics
AGR 271 Introduction to soil science
AGR 231 Introduction to animal science
AGR 211 Fundamentals of Crop Ecology and Physiology
AGR 201 Farm attachment
Year 2 Semester II
AGR 222 Principles of agricultural crop protection
AGR 282 Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology
AGE 222 Apiculture and aquaculture
AGE 212 Ruminant production
AGE 232 Non-Ruminant Production
Year 3 Semester I
AGR 301 Agricultural Industrial attachment
AGB 311 Farm business management
AGR 341 Agricultural experimentation, design and analysis
AGR 371 Soil fertility and plant nutrition
Year 3 Semester II
AGR 322 Agricultural pest and disease management
AGR 382 Management of agricultural wastes
AGR 392 Agricultural engineering
AGR 342 Research methods and scientific communication
AGR 352 Molecular biology and biotechnology
Year 4 Semester I
AGR 411 Crop production
AGR 441 Pomology
AGR 451 Plant genetics and breeding
AGR 431 Olericulture
AGR 461 Floriculture, ornamental and landscape horticulture
Year 4 Semester II
AGR 482 Sustainable agriculture and climatic adaptation
AGR 442 Post-harvest technology
AGE 422 Entrepreneurship and innovations
AGR 422 Seed Science Technology
AGR 400 Research project
Year 1
MAT 160 Foundation of Business Mathematics and Statistics
CHE 110 Foundation Chemistry
BIO 110 Foundation Biology
PHY 120 Foundation Physics
CSS 122 Communication and Study Skills
BCS 121 Basic Computer Skills
Year 2 Semester I
AGE 211 Vegetable and Fruit Production
AGB 211 Principles of Agriculture economics
AGB 231 Qualitative research method
AGE221 Animal Production
AGR 201 Farm attachment
Year 2 Semester II
AGB 232 Quantitative research method
AGE 242 Apiculture and Aquaculture
AGR 282 Agricultural extension and Rural Sociology
AGE 222 Food Processing Technology
AGR 482 Sustainable agriculture and climatic adaptation
Year 3 Semester I
AGR 301 Industrial attachment
AGB 311 Farm business management
AGB 351 Human resources management and industrial relations
AGB 371 Small to medium enterprise management
Year 3 Semester II
AGB 322 Business management and Leadership
AGB 312 Econometrics
AGB 342 Business management information systems
AGB 332 Research Methods and Business Communication
AGB 362 Agricultural marketing
Year 4 Semester I
AGB 411 Agricultural law and policy
AGB 441 Agribusiness finance
AGB 451 Project planning and management
AGB 431 Financial management and investment for entrepreneurs
AGB 471 Agribusiness insurance and risk management
Year 4 Semester II
AGB 462 Global agricultural value chains
AGB 422 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
AGB 412 Agricultural trade policy and practice
AGB 442 Agri-business value chain management
AGB 400 Research project
