Overview

General Background

Agricultural Economics is the application of economic principles to the operations of the agricultural industry. The existence of linkage between the agricultural sector and the rest of the economy points to the specificity of that sector and justifies the need for the study of its economics.

The Certificate in Agricultural Economics is a 1-year program that introduces students to the basics of Agricultural Economics. The aim of the program is not only to produce graduates who are properly equipped to extend the frontiers of knowledge in the discipline of Agricultural Economics, but also to enhance Islamization of knowledge in the field of Agricultural Economics.

Narrated Anas bin Malik, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him: Allah’s Messenger, may Peace and Blessings of Allah SwT be upon him said: “There is none among the Muslims who plant a tree or sow seeds and then a bird or a person or an animal eats from it but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” (Sahih Bukahri, no 2320).

The International Open University offers a unique opportunity to study agricultural microeconomics, agricultural macroeconomics, farm management, rural sociology, agroclimatology, livestock management and introduction to fisheries amongst others. It provides a combination of contemporary knowledge with Islamic wisdom to produce God fearing agricultural policy makers, farm managers and agribusiness persons. This program will teach students how to excel in agricultural production economics, farm management and general agriculture without compromising one’s beliefs and ideals.

The Certificate in Agricultural Economics program can later be applied to a 2-year Diploma and then a 4-year Bachelor degree in the same field.

Philosophy and Goals Agricultural Economics Program

The philosophy and the objective of this program is to train well-rounded graduates of Agricultural Economics who can occupy several niches and functions as job-creators and/or employees. We hope to prepare graduates to meet the contemporary challenges through Islamization of knowledge. To this end, the program has a number of objectives, e.g.:

1. To expose students to the science and practice of agricultural production and management of agricultural business.

2. To train versatile graduates who can meet the challenges of self-employment as farmers; as employees of public and private institutions/establishment.

3. To produce graduates who are properly equipped to extend the frontiers of knowledge in the discipline of Agricultural Economics.

4. To produce graduates who can respond to the varying challenges of day-to-day existence.

5. And most importantly, to enhance Islamization of knowledge in the field of Agricultural Economics.

To enhance Islamization of knowledge, courses from Islamic Studies are included in the program. Likewise, for the students to be versatile in the field of Agricultural Economics, courses are included from other fields of Agricultural Sciences specifically Agronomy, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development as well as Animal Science. These courses spread over two semesters and below is the summary of the courses: