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Diploma in Agribusiness

Agribusiness is of local and global importance, encompassing a huge range of activities that contribute to our supply of food and natural fibres. Agribusiness comes into play at every stage in the food chain, from primary production, to the packaging of your favorite snack food. It is also a dynamic business that must respond to sweeping advances in technology, to major changes in trade and policy, and to an ever-changing, consumer-driven marketplace.

The Diploma in Agribusiness is an intensive, two-year program designed to train students for employment in all aspects of the industry. The Diploma in Agribusiness is made up of a combination of science, economics, agricultural economics, and business courses. The mix of courses will provide graduates with an understanding of the structure and organization of the agri-food sector. Graduates will possess business skills with particular application to the value-chain extending from farm inputs, through farm businesses, transportation, processing, marketing and sales.

Graduates of the Diploma in Agribusiness program are eligible for the Agricultural Technician designation with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, allowing them to practise the profession of agrology under the supervision of a Professional Agrologist.

Students completing the Diploma in Agribusiness who choose to continue towards a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness can do so with an additional 60 credit units (two years) of approved course work in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.

AgBio offers a setting that combines the advantages of a full-scale university with the benefits of a small, specialized program.  The small class sizes in third and fourth year and supportive atmosphere allows students to get to know their instructors and fellow students and to build a network of personal and business contacts.

AgBio has one of the campus’s most active and spirited student bodies.  Students can join the Agricultural Students’ Association or an interest group such as the Stockmen and Rodeo Club, Range Team, Dairy Team, Canadian Agri-Marketing Association Student Chapter, Horticulture, Resource Management, or AgBizz Clubs.

As graduates of our programs you will not only leave with excellent industry-endorsed scientific training, but also with a foundation of marketable career skills.

As well, the College's strong ties with industry and reputation for producing well-rounded, quality graduates means that many businesses turn here first when recruiting employees.

• BPBE 230: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  Explores the historical and economic roles of entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector of the Canadian economy. Included in this will be a discussion of the important role that entrepreneurship has played in the growth of the prairie economy. Students will be exposed to theory and practice of entrepreneurship in the context of both independent and corporate organizations. The theory of entrepreneurship is investigated through discussion of classical and current literature. Entrepreneurship practice is explored through interviews and discussions with entrepreneurs.
• BPBE 347: Agribusiness Marketing Management
  Focuses on the role of the agri-marketing manager as a decision maker who is often responsible for formulating strategic marketing plans. Topics include the agricultural and agribusiness marketing environment, selecting market targets for products/services, and the development of marketing plans. The marketing activities of Saskatchewan's agribusinesses will be examined.

• BPBE 495:  Agribusiness Venture Management  Designed to assist students in developing and understanding the skills and tools required in the preparation and presentation of a business plan for a business entity in the agricultural industry.  All aspects of the business plan are included in the project:  operations, human resources, marketing and finance.

The Diploma in Agribusiness gives students the skills to start up their own business, to join the family business or to be part of an industry team. Major employment prospects for agribusiness professionals include:

• bank loans officers and financial managers;
• processing managers, sales managers, production managers;
• farmers, ranchers, feedlot managers, hog barn managers or manufacturers;
• business consultants, commodity marketers, real estate broker and as a communications advisor

Graduates will possess business skills with particular application to the value-chain extending from farm inputs, through farm businesses, transportation, processing, marketing and sales and are eligible for the Agriculture Technologist designation for the practice of agrology.

A Diploma in Agribusiness is fully transferable to the Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness.