Agricultural Production Chain Management - Livestock Chains

Keeping up with international developments

This applied Master programme is designed for mid-career horticulture, livestock or forest professionals working in the private or public sector. It is suitable for candidates tasked to increase efficiency, control product quality or facilitating the linkage between chain stakeholders as a chain supporter. This programme is experience-based and practise-oriented and approaches value chain development from the different perspectives of sustainability, business economics, logistics, quality management, certification, marketing, information flows and international trends.

The programme focuses on facilitating developments and innovations in the agricultural production chain while keeping up with fluctuations in demands and policies. Graduates are competent to conduct applied research towards resilient value chain governance and design new business models for chain actors. Graduates are also trained to reflect on their professionalism in an international business environment. This Master provides all competencies required to build sustainable relations with chain stakeholders and to communicate global value chain developments in a multicultural setting.

Study programme

This one-year Master programme consists of a nine-month taught programme and a three-month thesis research project. It involves a series of modules that develop competencies, including disciplinary knowledge and expertise and professional skills and attitude.

The programme comprises three phases:

• analysis of value chains
• development of value chains
• integrated management of value chains.

In addition, each specialisation offers courses focusing on the various aspects of value chain development, quality management and business environment of either horticulture or livestock chains. The final module is dedicated to a thesis research project, in which students select a commissioner and a particular aspect of a production chain to research.

Livestock Chains

Livestock produce such as milk, meat, eggs and their various by-products travel through a series of stakeholders and channels before making their way to domestic and international markets. Stakeholders within these livestock production chains work in a dynamic environment, experiencing rapid technological development and an ever-increasing number of national and international regulations and quality standards.

Livestock Chain Management specialists are equipped to evaluate each actor in the chain (suppliers, farmers, collectors, processors, traders, retailers and consumers) from various perspectives. They become competent

in introducing climate-smart agricultural practices and in facilitating vertical and horizontal linkages from grass to glass or from pork to fork. They will thus enhance their ability to manage, facilitate and innovate within the livestock value chains.

Entry requirements

You need to have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in life sciences or related fields. We also require two years of relevant work experience in middle or higher management positions. In case a prospective student has less than two years of experience, his request for enrolment will be discussed by the Student Service Centre. Applicants from non-English speaking countries need to prove their English proficiency by providing a TOEFL, ELTS or Cambridge certificate.

Scholarships

This Master Programme is eligible for the OKP scholarship which is targeted at professionals from selected non-EU countries who, after their studies in Holland, will be able to further develop and strengthen the organisations at which they work. 

Meet Van Hall Larenstein

Coming to an Open Day is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Van Hall Larenstein and the Agricultural Production Chain programme.

Upcoming open days:

• 16th February 2019

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