How Agricultural Economics Keeps Up With The Times

The evolution of agricultural production and value chains requires that agricultural economics adapts quickly to remain relevent and helpful. Prof Theo Kleynhans, head of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

-  Lloyd Phillips.

Tell us about your career in agricultural economics.

I obtained my BScAgric and Honours in Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University [SU] in 1981, followed by an MScAgric from Natal University (Pietermaritzburg) during my second year of military service in 1983, and a PhD (Agric) from SU in 1991.

INCREASING COMPLEXITY REQUIRES MORE SPECIALISATION

I started lecturing in the Department of Agricultural Economics at SU in 1984 when I had to choose between full-time farming or part-time farming in combination with an academic career. I chose the latter. Due to my interest in farmland value, I qualified as a professional property valuer and do farm valuations once in a while.

What courses does your department now offer?

Like other departments of the AgriSciences Faculty at SU, it offers a four-year BScAgric, with agricultural economics as one of the majors, in combination with subjects such as agronomy, horticulture, animal science and viticulture.

Agricultural economics also combines with subjects offered by the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty, such as economics, financial accountancy, financial management, marketing management, investment management, and logistical management, either as part of the four year BScAgric, the three-year BCom (Agricultural Economics), or the three-year BAgric (Agribusiness Management).