Ø Background to the program
and subject area:
The Department of
Agricultural Economics and Extension was established in 1973 at the College of
Agriculture. It offered teaching courses in economics, statistics and farm
management and extension for Agriculture college students. A study plan has
been developed for agricultural economics and extension students. A program for MSc. was introduced in the
academic year 1985-86. As a result of the restructuring of the departments of
the Faculty of Agriculture in 1998, the Department was renamed to become the
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management and the study
plan was modified to cope with the new trends
The department includes 8
faculty members who teach and research in the areas of agricultural production
economics and policy analysis, economic and rural development and agricultural
business management, finance and marketing. The Department provides courses; in
particular, principles of economics, statistics, extension, and management for
other students in other departments
A computer lab was set up in
the department during the academic year 2005 - 2006. The aim of establishing
the lab is to build the capability of the students to better using computer
applications for various courses that need to process applications in the
computer. In addition to the possibility
of using the computer lab at the university and the College of Agriculture.the
lab has begun providing some courses on the Internet and is being used as a key
communication line (i.e. via dedicated email and web pages) between faculty and
students, by which educational materials and exercises are provided and
exchanged…
Ø Vision statements of the
program:
To provide students with
agricultural education, research and extension and to maintain a leading
position in agribusiness development on local, regional and international
levels.…
Ø Mission statements of the
program:
To provide students with economic knowledge and management and
analytical skills for implementing economic decision for optimal allocation of
natural resources in the agribusiness sector,
and distribution of agricultural products to promote sustainable
development rural communities and protecting the environment…
Ø Program Aims:
Ø To
provide the needed economic expertise, the results of scientific research and
specialized economic studies to farms, companies and local, regional and
international institutions.
Ø The
development in the field of environmental concerns in different societies,
which requires assessment and valuation of environmental impact from an
economic point of view.
Ø The
significant importance of food security at the domestic level to accommodate
the steady increase in population growth.
Ø The
prominence of economic analysis in different agricultural projects.
Ø The
families'/ consumer's needs for having high quality food within limited income,
considering the variety of alternatives available to satisfy family desires.
This requires the joint efforts of all stockholders, including the department
staff, to provide research results for agricultural economists and agricultural
extension agents.
Ø The
international attention on the sustainability of agricultural resources i.e
water and land resources; and this is a global need only could be achieved the
contentious development in agricultural economics and management.
The need to develop extension programs and agricultural communication