How long does this certification take?

The programme is 10 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist (CAES) | Online Certification

Executive Summary

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist (CAES) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in crop and livestock production, agribusiness management and sustainable farming systems.

This 10 Week programme is structured around FAO Good Agricultural Practices, GlobalG.A.P. and recognised agricultural and extension standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CAES holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist

Acronym

CAES

Who Should Enrol?

Farm as a Business — applied to your own work
Costing and Gross Margins — applied to your own work
Markets, Buyers and Contracts — applied to your own work
Aggregation and Farmer Organisation — applied to your own work
Finance and Credit That Fits — applied to your own work
Value Addition Decisions — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior agronomy, farm management and agribusiness leadership roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with FAO Good Agricultural Practices, GlobalG.A.P. and recognised agricultural and extension standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex crop and livestock production functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement crop and livestock production systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to crop and livestock production

Global Employability

Qualify for crop and livestock production roles across agribusinesses, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutions and government agencies worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Crop and Soil Science, Agronomy and Land Management

✦Livestock, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Fundamentals

✦Farm Business Management, Value Chains and Markets

✦Sustainable, Climate-Smart and Regenerative Agriculture

✦Agricultural Extension, Advisory Services and Rural Development

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Professional Context of Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
The agricultural sector: systems, actors and global food value chains
Professional roles, ethics and standards for agricultural practitioners
Agroecological zones, farming systems and enterprise selection
Policy, institutions and the enabling environment for agriculture
Smallholder, commercial and cooperative production models
Gender, youth and social inclusion in agricultural development
The business case for productivity, quality and sustainability
Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies
Career pathways and continuing professional development
Setting professional goals and a personal development plan

Farm as a Business

Farm profitability, costing and gross margins
Agri-enterprise planning and farm records
Agricultural finance and credit for farmers
Post-harvest loss and handling
Variable-rate application and yield mapping
Traceability, blockchain and digital records
Emerging agri-tech and innovation adoption
Regenerative and conservation agriculture practices
Carbon, greenhouse gases and soil carbon sequestration
Biodiversity, pollinators and ecosystem services
Climate risk, forecasting and resilient practices
Water stewardship and drought management
Good Agricultural and Handling Practices along the chain
Grades, standards and export certification (GlobalG.A.P.)
Pesticide residues, MRLs and safe use

Costing and Gross Margins

Farm profitability, costing and gross margins
Agri-enterprise planning and farm records
Crop planning, rotation and the cropping calendar
Disease identification, epidemiology and control
Weed ecology and integrated weed management
Plant nutrition, foliar feeding and micronutrients
Harvest timing, methods and quality optimisation
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and field record-keeping
Livestock species, breeds and selection criteria
Animal nutrition, ration formulation and feeding systems
Breeding, reproduction and genetic improvement
Housing, welfare and environmental management
Herd and flock health planning and biosecurity
Common diseases, prevention and veterinary basics
Pasture, forage and rangeland management

Markets, Buyers and Contracts

Market access, buyers and contract farming
Grading, standards and food safety compliance
Traceability, certification and export requirements
Demand analysis and market intelligence
Branding and product differentiation
Inclusive and fair value chains
Post-harvest handling and loss reduction
Storage, packaging and cold chain
Grades, standards and quality
Pricing and margin management
Marketing channels and promotion
Financial management and cash flow
Access to finance and de-risking
Digital marketplaces and e-commerce
Monitoring profitability and performance

Aggregation and Farmer Organisation

Farmer organisation, aggregation and cooperatives
Market access, buyers and contract farming
Storage, drying and stock management
Animal health, disease and biosecurity
Feed, fodder and livestock nutrition
Harvest timing, maturity and yield assessment
Agribusiness models and strategy
Farm and enterprise business planning
Enterprise budgeting and gross margins
Agricultural finance and credit
Investment appraisal and risk
Entrepreneurship and start-ups in agriculture
Record-keeping and management accounting
Bankable proposal development
Cooperatives and collective enterprise

Finance and Credit That Fits

Agricultural finance and credit for farmers
Farm profitability, costing and gross margins
Agri-enterprise planning and farm records
Planting, spacing, and crop establishment techniques
Integrated pest management (IPM) principles and practice
Dairy, poultry, and small-ruminant enterprise management
Livestock records, performance and productivity metrics
Animal welfare standards and ethical husbandry
Farm enterprise budgeting and gross-margin analysis
Agricultural finance, credit and investment appraisal
Cost of production, pricing and profitability
Agricultural value chains and market linkages
Contract farming, aggregation and out-grower schemes
Agribusiness marketing, branding and export readiness
Post-harvest handling, storage and loss reduction

Value Addition Decisions

Value addition and processing decisions
Market access, buyers and contract farming
Cold chain and perishable produce logistics
Precision agriculture principles and site-specific management
Cold chain, packaging and shelf-life management
Participatory rural appraisal and needs assessment
Demonstration, on-farm trials and technology transfer
Rural livelihoods, food security and nutrition
Soil health and fertility management
Crop nutrition and fertiliser use efficiency
Seed selection, varieties and seed systems
Integrated pest and disease management
Water management and irrigation practice
Climate-smart agriculture and seasonal risk
Livestock husbandry and productivity

Communities and Capability

Cooperatives, farmer organisations and collective bargaining
Soil chemistry, pH and cation exchange capacity
Youth and start-ups in agriculture
Corporate social responsibility and community impact
Governance of cooperatives and farmer institutions
Group dynamics, facilitation and community mobilisation
Community engagement and equity
Training and capability building
Group and team coaching
Social media and community management
Customer and community engagement
Community and tenant engagement
Recovery capital and community
Mentorship, networks and the community of practice
Community natural-resource governance

Projects and Delivery

Infrastructure planning for water and mechanisation
Nutrient management planning and the 4R framework
Land-use planning, capability and degradation management
Business planning and bankable proposal development
Media planning and buying
Telehealth and digital care delivery
Public health programmes: prevention and outreach
Forecasting and planning
Designing an intervention or programme
Risk assessment and safety planning
Treatment planning and review
Voice of the customer programmes
Loyalty programmes and rewards
Coaching and quality monitoring
Workforce planning and scheduling

Data, Records and Research

Farm records, bookkeeping and management accounting
Data migration and cleansing
Data protection and learner privacy
Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics
Incident reporting and record-keeping
Data collection and analytics
Predictive safety analytics
Data quality and master data management
Comparable sales analysis and market evidence
Measurement and analytics for media and social campaigns
Health records, data and confidentiality
Service analytics and dashboards
Text and interaction analytics
Data privacy and consent
Data ethics and customer privacy

Technology in Agriculture

Appropriate and small-scale mechanisation technologies
Digital disruption and the future of banking
Digital transformation in banking
Branch-to-digital migration
Digital banking platforms and APIs
Payment technology and switches
Automation, RPA and straight-through processing
Cybersecurity and fraud technology
Technology governance and change control
Digital credit and alternative data
The finance function and digital transformation
Automation in project delivery
Emerging project technologies
Digital disruption and modern go-to-market
Digital and data-driven go-to-market

Leadership and Management

Water resources, catchment and on-farm water management
Equipment maintenance, safety and cost management
Insurance and price-risk management
Leadership and management development
Knowledge management and capability building
Safety management systems overview (ISO 45001)
Safety culture and leadership
Management and board reporting
Influencing and safety leadership
Team leadership in HSE
Ethical decision-making under pressure
Document and configuration management
Programme management principles
Portfolio management and prioritisation
Value management and business value

Supply and Logistics

Input supply, agro-dealers and last-mile distribution
Procurement and stock management for health commodities
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics
Procurement and contract value
Procurement and contract management
Sustainable input management
Linking farmers to markets, finance and inputs
Supply market analysis
Supply analysis, gaps and scenario planning
Procurement and supply chain: scope and value
The procurement cycle and operating models
Digital procurement and the future of the profession
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Fair trade and responsible supply
Procurement and asset management under donor rules

Operations and Quality

Agro-processing and value addition
Seed selection, quality, treatment and certification
Quality assurance of audit
Competitive bidding processes
Business process mapping
The HR function: roles, operating models and value creation
Quality standards and accreditation
Quality assurance and standards
Cost reduction and efficiency programmes
Continuous improvement of finance processes
Resource efficiency and circular practice
Principles of credit and the lending process
Process and control documentation
Process safety and major-accident hazards
Integration with quality and environment

Communication and Advisory

Professional writing: reports, proposals and briefs
Control monitoring and reporting
Crisis communications
Stakeholder communications
Ethics in communications
Communications strategy and planning
Internal communications
Corporate social responsibility communications
Presentation and public speaking
Professional report and presentation
Metrics and reporting
Integrated marketing communications
Dashboards and performance reporting
Professional presentation and pitching
Reporting to leadership

Policy, Land and Legal

Contract farming and out-grower schemes
Land preparation, tillage and conservation agriculture
The retail landscape: formats, channels and the informal market
The construction industry: clients, contractors and the project economy
Subcontractor and supplier management
The media and telecommunications landscape
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Goal setting and contracting
Designing your first 90 days after certification
Land-use planning and management
Conflict resolution over land, water and resources
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Advocacy and policy engagement
Land rights, tenure and equitable resource use
Sustainability certification and standards

Health and Nutrition

Managing health workers and clinical teams
Healthcare quality, safety and accreditation
Health financing: budgets, insurance and out-of-pocket realities
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Customer and brand health metrics
Brand health and measurement
Wellbeing and holistic health strategy
Confidentiality and health data
Construction health and safety: managing the industry's hazards
Housing, hygiene and environmental management
Healthy work design
Absence and health management
Herd health planning and biosecurity
Absence, capability and ill-health management
Leadership impact and organisational health metrics

Stakeholders and Partners

Proposal development and donor reporting
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Quality of the therapeutic relationship
The project environment and stakeholders
Stakeholder and sponsor management
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan
Stakeholder identification and analysis
Stakeholder engagement strategy
Building project relationships
Building strategic customer relationships
Categories of spend and stakeholders
Stakeholder mapping and liaison
Strategic customer relationships
Partnering and co-creation with customers

Labour and Workforce

Communicating risk to the workforce
Workforce and shift management in retail
Hospitality cost control: food, beverage and labour
Workforce management and scheduling
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and employee satisfaction
Employee engagement models and drivers
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Scaling and growth strategies
Agricultural value chain analysis

Ethics and Responsibility

Animal welfare and ethical production
Responsible use of AI in learning
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Responsibility accounting and cost centres
Responsible and sustainable governance
Embedding responsible business
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Ethics and duty of care
Professional ethics and duty of care
Legal and regulatory responsibility
Sustainability and climate responsibility
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations
Ethics of technology in practice
Professional ethics and responsibility (PMI)

Enterprise and Innovation

Strategic planning for agricultural enterprises
Capstone scoping: a real agricultural problem or enterprise
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations
Innovation in service delivery
Innovation and fintech collaboration
Enterprise risk management in banks
Supplier development and innovation
Business model design and innovation
Emerging tools and innovation
Innovation and continuous delivery
Innovation and new product launch
Innovation and entrepreneurship in agribusiness
Leading agricultural teams, projects and enterprises

Strategy and Development

Organic, inorganic and biological fertiliser strategies
Career pathways and professional development
Measuring development impact
Financial inclusion strategy
Strategic analysis: PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces
The learning and development profession
Learning strategy and business alignment
Feedback and developmental conversations
Career and talent development
Creativity and critical-thinking development
Workplace wellbeing strategy
Designing a marketing or sales strategy
Marketing strategy and the mix
Brand strategy, identity and equity
Pricing strategy

Learning and Adoption

Monitoring, evaluation and learning for accountability
Change and adoption in projects
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Adult learning and farmer field schools
Complaint data and learning
Change management and adoption
Cognitive load and learning science
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Questioning, discussion and active learning
Blended and hybrid learning design
Motivation and self-directed learning
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Benchmarking and best-practice adoption
Continuous improvement and learning organisations
Apprenticeships and work-based learning

Inclusion and Equity

Team diversity and inclusion
Handling vulnerable customers
Financial inclusion and agency banking
The business case for diversity and inclusion
Cost-effectiveness and value-for-money analysis
Spend analysis and segmentation
Tender planning and documentation
Training needs analysis
Root-cause analysis and problem solving
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Risk assessment and safeguarding in practice

Agricultural Practice

Irrigation systems: surface, sprinkler and drip design
Remote sensing, satellite imagery and GIS in agriculture
Circular agriculture and waste-to-value
Agricultural and sector-specific finance
Forestry and agroforestry management
Change management in farming systems
Using evidence to refine agricultural practice
Designing an evidence-based intervention or farm plan
Performance management systems and cycles
Theories and models of leadership and management
Corporate governance principles and purpose

Markets and Value Chains

Market linkages and aggregation
Market systems and price discovery
De-escalation and difficult customers
Customer experience strategy
Customer journey mapping
Reducing customer effort
Customer effort and sentiment analysis
CRM systems and customer data
Customer service technology stack
Social media customer care
Unified customer view
The marketing concept and customer orientation
Managing price and discount governance
Market and customer analysis
Campaign or go-to-market plan

Agricultural Finance

Cost, feasibility and impact analysis
The banking system, intermediation and financial markets
Anti-corruption and financial-crime ethics
Operational efficiency and cost-to-income
Credit analysis and the 5 Cs of credit
Financial statement and cash-flow analysis
Credit risk measurement and mitigation
Investment portfolio management
SME lending and value-chain finance
Microfinance and group lending
Impact, blended and concessional finance
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Return on investment and impact
Financial, management and cost accounting distinguished
Financial statements and the accounting equation

Environment and Climate

Carbon markets and climate finance
Monitoring sustainability outcomes
Monitoring, evaluation and sustainability plan
Water-user associations and governance
Environmental flows and sustainability
Groundwater management
Responsible and sustainable banking
Sustainable and green banking
Control environment and risk assessment
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value
Fire risk in special environments
Environmental legal compliance
Environmental monitoring and reporting
Continuous environmental improvement
Supply markets and the enabling environment

Standards, Risk and Compliance

Risk assessment methodology and matrices
Job safety analysis (JSA) and task risk
Dynamic and site-specific risk assessment
Residual risk and ALARP
Risk registers and monitoring
Fire risk assessment
Contractor and visitor safety
Automation and safety technology
Compliance monitoring and enforcement
Toolbox talks and safety communication
Risk appetite and tolerance
Programme governance and assurance
Governance of campaigns and spend
Regulatory compliance and biosafety
Benchmarking against standards and best practice

Professional Leadership Practice

Sanctions screening and PEP management
Relationship management and cross-selling
Sales performance and pipeline management
Liquidity and funding management
Thought leadership
Category management and strategy
Vendor and partner management
Classroom and workshop management
Safety management systems (ISO 45001)
Project management principles and lifecycle
Management reporting and decision support
Pollution and waste management
Capacity and performance management
Team leadership in field and project settings
Quality management systems and audits

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Farm as a Business — applied to your own work
Costing and Gross Margins — applied to your own work
Markets, Buyers and Contracts — applied to your own work
Aggregation and Farmer Organisation — applied to your own work
Finance and Credit That Fits — applied to your own work
Value Addition Decisions — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CAES certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with FAO Good Agricultural Practices, GlobalG.A.P. and recognised agricultural and extension standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CAES?

This certification is ideal for Agronomists and Farm Managers, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Officers, Agribusiness and Value-Chain Professionals and Cooperative and Rural Development Practitioners, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in crop and livestock production, agribusiness management and sustainable farming systems with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CAES certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 10 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CAES internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CAES certification?

The Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CAES certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CAES?

The Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CAES?

The Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CAES while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CAES?

Graduates progress towards senior agronomy, farm management and agribusiness leadership roles. The CAES strengthens your expertise in crop and livestock production, agribusiness management and sustainable farming systems and positions you for advancement across agribusinesses, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutions and government agencies.

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist

Certified Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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