Your Agriculture Company (AGCO) has signed a collaborative deal with other stakeholders to offer expertise to drive agricultural prosperity.
The new agribusiness course dubbed is AGCO Agribusiness Program (AAP) is a partnership between Strathmore Business School (SBS) in Kenya, Harper Adams University in the UK and Kenya-based The Bridge Africa.
The scheme is open to students throughout Africa and is a direct response to the need to bring young talent into the agribusiness sector in Africa.
The course developers believe the demand for agriculture to produce more food from less is driving the pace of change in farming practices.
“We are extremely proud to have established this comprehensive new agribusiness program,” says Nuradin Osman, AGCO Vice President and General Manager Africa.
“As a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions, AGCO is acutely aware of the management skills’ shortage in the African agricultural supply chain sector.”
Osman said the initiative is meant to meet the challenge head-on with a long-term commitment to skills development on the continent.
Scheduled to commence in March 2018, the AAP will deliver an accredited two-year agribusiness program through SBS in Nairobi, Zambia and South Africa for up to 25 students aged 20-30, leading to potential job opportunities within AGCO Africa.
The aim is to extend the program and offer the course using remote and blended learning techniques in future.
“This is a strong business-oriented program that will provide training in critical skills and develop leadership and strategic expertise to drive African agricultural prosperity,” Osman said.
“It underlines our approach to ensure Africa is run from Africa. Upon completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to be placed within the AGCO Africa organisation, thus providing excellent job prospects. It’s a win-win situation for all those involved.”
Dr George Njenga, Dean, Strathmore Business School said through the partnership, the stakeholders are optimistic, needs of the agricultural sector will be met.
“The program will integrate both theoretical and industrial relevance to address the current trends in the sector,” Njenga said.
