MBA in Agriculture

The need for food has drastically grown since the past decade. The rapid urbanization of the agricultural land has added to the challenges faced in meeting global food demands. Even in this 21st century, there are villages that do not have a sustainable agricultural model. The need for professionals who can contribute to the growth and development of agriculture at the global level has never been so high. Comparatively very fewer people pursue a career in this field. However, there is a place for individuals who wish to gain managerial skills and intensive knowledge of the business aspects of agriculture. Let’s take a look at the various universities offering an MBA in Agriculture along with some other course in the discipline.

Why Pursue an MBA in Agriculture?

With technological advancement and industrial development, agricultural sector is deteriorating even though it is a crucial component in the economy of a country. This brings the need for professionals engaged in managing the agricultural wellbeing of the world. Various international universities and colleges have come up with specialized courses in Agriculture, with an MBA in Agriculture being a prominent one for students aspiring to become leaders in the agrarian sector.

During an MBA in Agriculture, you are supposed to gain considerable expertise over the following aspects of Agribusiness:

• Agricultural Markets
• Agricultural Pricing
• Agricultural Law
• Futures Trading
• Agricultural Economics
• Farm Management

Universities Offering MBA in Agriculture

A management degree in Agriculture can act as a launchpad for your career in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics. Let’s take a look at some of the leading universities in the field of agriculture:

• Royal Agricultural University (RAU): Located in the UK, Royal Agricultural University offers a dynamic 1-year (full time) or more than 2-year (part-time) MBA Innovation in Sustainable Food and Agriculture to meet your professional needs. This course is primarily distance learning for students interested in business or the food and agriculture industries. With an IELTS score of 6.5 and a general experience in management, you can seek admission in RAU. 

• University of Nicosia: Known to be the largest university in Cyprus, the University of Nicosia was established in 1980. It offers an MBA in Agribusiness and Food Enterprise Management spanning for a duration of 1.5-year for both part-time and full-time. The coursework aims in providing students with a solid foundation in Agribusiness Management enabling them to become leaders in Agribusiness. 

• Southern Arkansas University: Offering an on-campus and online MBA with Agri-Business Emphasis, Southern Arkansas University trains students in various aspects of Agribusiness such as accounting, agriculture markets and prices, finance, marketing, organizational theory, business analytics, strategic management, supply chain management, etc. 

• University of Alberta:  Among the top universities in Canada, the University of Alberta is ranked 81st in the list. Through its extensive Integrated MBA & Masters of Agriculture degree program, the university aims at helping students to explore the broader perspective of the business of agriculture production.

• Kazan Federal University: Founded in 1804, the Kazan Federal University is located in Russia. Offering an MBA in Agriculture, the university provides students with the basics of Agribusiness Management and Economics, Human Resources Management, Organizational Management, Management of Agricultural Production and Finance and Accounting in Agribusiness. 

• Purdue University: A research university in the US, Purdue University offers a comprehensive MS-MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management. The program allows you to pursue two degrees at two of the best universities in the US – an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and an MS in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.

Also Read: 

• Best Countries for MBA
• MBA Admission Process

Other Master’s Degree Courses in Agriculture

There are a variety of other postgraduate courses to consider if you plan to grow in the field of agriculture. Some of these courses with its related institutes are discussed in the table below:

Career After MBA in Agriculture

The need for innovation in the agricultural industry is increasing more than ever. To achieve the goal, companies require professionals who can strategise and implement new ideas to boost the production and effective distribution of food. The industries that offer jobs to graduates with an MBA in Agriculture include: 

• Food Production Companies
• Farming Industries
• Public and Private Sector
• Marketing Industries 
• Retail Industries

Job Profiles After MBA in Agriculture

There are an array of job profiles in the agribusiness that you can find while choosing a career in Agriculture. Here are some of the job positions you can take after an MBA in Agriculture:

• Agricultural Manager
• Agriculture Operations Specialist
• Marketing Analyst
• Accounting Manager
• Bioterrorism Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Agribusiness Owner/Manager
• Alternative Energy Consultant

Also Read:

• MBA Abroad for Indian Students
• MBA Without Work Experience

The agricultural industry is a whole new world to explore with a collection of job profiles. If you’ve made up your mind to pursue an MBA in Agriculture, our counsellors at Leverage Edu are here to help you in choosing the right university to take the first big step towards a cultivated career.