This qualification is designed for people who currently are, or wish to, undertake a supervisory or managerial role associated with agribusiness management or production agriculture. It builds on the knowledge and skills recognised by the National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with strands in Arable Farming, Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 0986], although that qualification is not a prerequisite. The skills and knowledge gained in this qualification can also be credited towards the National Diploma in Agribusiness Management [Ref: 0647], although this qualification is not a prerequisite for that qualification.

The Production Management Strand recognises the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and monitor an agricultural management action plan, budget feed and identify and analyse advanced farming production systems. These requirements are considered core skills across livestock farming disciplines and essential at a management level within that sector.

The Business Planning Strand recognises the skills and knowledge required for the development of a business plan, the establishment of human resource plans and procedures, the assessment and management of risk, the use of electronic communications and agribusiness specific computer software applications, and the preparation of a case to obtain finance to establish, extend, or diversify an agricultural business.

The Physical Resource Strand recognises the knowledge relating to physical resources, ownership, tenure and estate planning, and the effects of market forces and legislative requirements relating to an agribusiness. It also recognises the skills and knowledge required for assessing and managing risk, and identifying and managing business data for an agribusiness.

The Taxation and Risk Management Strand recognises the knowledge and skills relating to the preparation of a case for obtaining finance to establish, extend, or diversify an agribusiness, taxation and implementing taxation requirements, analysing investment opportunities and performance, assessing and managing risk, the use of electronic communications and agribusiness specific computer software applications, and identifying and managing business data.


The Capital Management Strand recognises the knowledge and skills relating to managing agribusiness capital, develop a business plan, establish policy, and develop and monitor a financial plan for an agribusiness. It also recognises the knowledge of ownership, tenure and estate planning for an agribusiness.


The Financial Planning Strand recognises the knowledge and skills relating to establishing policy and developing and monitoring a financial plan, managing agribusiness capital, analysing investment opportunities and the performance of an agribusiness, and taxation and implementing taxation requirements.

Individuals are encouraged to consider a learning pathway, whereby the achievement of several strands and individual unit standards can lead to the achievement of the National Diploma in Agribusiness Management.

People will need to select an area of specialisation from agribusiness management, arable farming, cattle farming, dairy farming, deer farming, goat farming, sheep farming or piggery management domains and attain the 10 credits required in that area. The remaining elective credits allow people to select those unit standards which suit their individual location, situation and requirements.

It is strongly recommended that people consider the inclusion of the unit standards relating to safety in a farming situation particularly Unit 11852, Identify farm hazards, develop a plan to eliminate, isolate or minimise, and record hazards, and Unit 14491, Apply and assess strategies for reducing risk and preventing injury on farms.