Entrepreneurship of Agriculture

• application (form);
• copies of the diploma certifying secondary or vocational secondary education and a transcript of grades;
• copies of certificates for the centralized exams in the subjects specified for the particular undergraduate programme;
• for graduates of minority schools—a copy of a certificate of proficiency in the state language at least at Level 2;
• (if the surname has been changed) a copy of a document confirming the change of surname;
• (if applicable) a document certifying that the person voluntarily enlisted in the national defence service and completed it;
• (if applicable) documents certifying social status (a copy of an orphan’s certificate, a statement regarding low-income family status).

1.General knowledge courses

Objective: to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice in the crop production sector, while fostering analytical thinking, communication skills, digital literacy, and an understanding of sustainable development.

Courses:

• Business Management – 5 ECTS;
• Business Communication – 3 ECTS;
• Digital and Communication Technologies– 3 ECTS;
• Basics of Economics– 3 ECTS;
• Agroecology and Environmental Protection – 3 ECTS;
• Research Methodology– 3 ECTS;
• Work Safety and Civil Defence – 3 ECTS;
• Entrepreneurship – 3 ECTS;
• Professional Foreign Language (English) – 4 ECTS;
• Professional Foreign Language (German) – 4 ECTS.

2. Professional study courses 

Objective: to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in agricultural production and business processes, in order to prepare qualified specialists for sustainable economic activity in the crop and livestock sectors.

Courses:

• Agrarian Policy – 3 ECTS;
• Soil and Its Treatment– 3 ECTS;
• Plant Protection and Fertilization– 5 ECTS;
• Crop Production – 4 ECTS;
• Physiology, Welfare and Health of Farm Animals– 3 ECTS;
• Breeding, Feeding and Preparation of Fodder for Agricultural Animals – 4 ECTS;
• Production, Pre-processing and Storage of Animal Husbandry Products – 4 ECTS;
• Agricultural Mechanization– 4 ECTS;
• Marketing Planning and Outlet Organization – 3 ECTS;
• Accounting and Investments – 4 ECTS;
• An Analysis and Planning of the Agriculture Activity – 5 ECTS.

3. Field-specific elective courses (select 2 courses)

Objective: to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in their chosen specialization within crop or livestock production, in line with their individual interests and the needs of the labour market. 

Courses:

• Organic Crop Production – 3 ECTS;
• Fruit Growing – 3 ECTS;
• Vegetable Growing – 3 ECTS;
• Non-traditional Livestock Farming – 3 ECTS;
• Beekeeping – 3 ECTS.

During their internship in the study programme Smart Tourism and Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas, students acquire the practical skills of an agricultural specialist by familiarizing themselves with the processes of production, processing, and marketing of crop and livestock products. The internship provides an opportunity to apply knowledge in practice regarding business organization, production technologies, the use of equipment, and the analysis of economic indicators, thereby fostering an understanding of the overall operations of an agricultural enterprise. The internship fosters the ability to analyse the efficiency of economic activities, assess risks, and develop proposals for improving agricultural production.

Internships included in the study programme:

1. Qualification Internship I (8 weeks):

• Students acquire the practical skills of a business specialist by learning about the organization and management of an agricultural enterprise. The internship provides hands-on involvement in crop and livestock production processes, the use of equipment, and resource planning, fostering an understanding of the day-to-day operations of an agricultural enterprise. Skills are developed to analyse production and economic data, assess risks, and make informed decisions.

• Internship duration - 2nd semester, full-time studies.

2. Qualification Internship II (6 weeks):

• Students engage in-depth in crop and livestock production processes, with a particular focus on harvesting, primary processing, storage, the use of machinery, and work organization. The internship fosters a practical understanding of product marketing, market dynamics, and economic indicators of business operations, thereby strengthening the professional skills of business specialists. As a result of the internship, students strengthen their ability to make informed decisions regarding the sustainable development of a crop and livestock farming enterprise, based on practical experience and data analysis.

• Internship duration – 3rd semester, full-time studies.

3. Qualification Internship III (2 weeks):

• Students learn the basics of accounting and analysis of an agricultural enterprise’s economic activities while performing the duties of an assistant manager. The internship provides practical experience in analysing financial and accounting documents, evaluating revenue, costs, profits, and the company’s profitability, preparing students for independent professional practice. The experience gained during the internship and the internship report prepared may be used in the development of the final thesis- qualification paper.

• Internship duration – 4th semester, full-time studies.

The internship can be completed in any region of Latvia. The host company must have a well-developed agricultural production operation that carries out the full cycle of crop cultivation and/or livestock production processes — from production planning and the implementation of agrotechnical and zootechnical measures to the harvesting and/or collection of livestock products, as well as their primary processing, storage, and marketing. The enterprise must provide an opportunity to learn about crop and livestock production, economic, and organizational processes, as well as to participate in the organization of daily work. It is desirable that the enterprise utilize modern technologies and principles of sustainable management.
 

• Professional Foreign Language (English)

• Karīne Laganovska, email: karine.laganovska@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Professional Foreign Language (German)

   

• Daina Znotiņa, email: daina.znotina@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Business Communication

• Karīna Adamoviča-Krišāne, email: karina.adamovica-krisane@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Business Management

•  Aleksejs Zorins, email: aleksejs.zorins@rtu.lv
  Digital and Communication Technologies

• Evita Kļaviņa, email: evita.klavina@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Basics of Economics, An Analysis and Planning of the Agriculture Activity

• Alita Dukule, email:  alita.dukule@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Marketing Planning and Outlet Organization

• Andris Skromulis, email: andris.skromulis@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Work Safety and Civil Defence, 
  Agroecology and Environmental Protection

• Agrita Švarta, email: agrita.svarta@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Research Methodology

• Sandra Ežmale, email: sandra.ezmale@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Entrepreneurship

• Mārīte Fokina, email: marite.fokina@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Agrarian Policy

• Elita Jermolajeva, email: elita.jermolajeva@gmail.com
  Investment and Finance

• Linda Vebe, email: linda.vebe@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Crop Production

• Vilma Keiša, email: vilma.keisa@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Soil and its Treatment, Organic Crop Production 

• Aigars Oļukalns, email: aigars.olukalns@malnavaskoledza.lv
  Plant Protection and Fertilization 

• Silvija Dreijere, email: silvija.dreijere@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Breeding, Feeding and Preparation of Fodder for Agricultural Animals 

• Ruta Kļaviņa, email: ruta.klavina@malnavaskoledza.lv  
  Accounting and Investments  

• Marlinda Kaša, email: marlinda.kasa@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Physiology, Welfare and Health of Farm Animals,
  Beekeeping

• Mārtiņš Ūzuliņš, email: martins.uzulins@malnavaskoledza.lv 
  Agricultural Mechanization

• A well-equipped dormitory and gym.

• Opportunities to participate in projects.

• Opportunities to get involved in student government.

• Opportunities to participate in ERASMUS+ mobility programmes in various European countries.

• Opportunities to work in agricultural enterprises engaging in the planning, organization, and management of agricultural processes.

• Opportunity to engage in self-employment or establish your own business as a self-employed individual, conducting economic activities in the agricultural sector.

• Opportunity to engage in research, analysing agricultural development trends, opportunities for improving efficiency, and sustainable production methods.
  The opportunity to develop project applications and implement development projects, securing funding and introducing innovative solutions in the sector.

• Opportunity to continue education in professional higher education programmes at the bachelor’s level to deepen knowledge and develop professional competencies.