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Agriculture

Artisan in General Agriculture

The Artisan in General Agriculture is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental agricultural production skills for the farming sector. The course is examined by TVET-CDACC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn basic crop production, soil preparation, planting, farm tool handling, irrigation, and basic farm operations.

Duration
1 year
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 67,189 total
Private tuition
Ksh 22,500
Ksh 22,500 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 22,500 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus) or below, or KCPE certificate or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1 year, full-time, with 1 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 25 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers basic units including communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, employability skills, environmental literacy, and occupational safety and health practices. Core units focus on basic crop production, soil preparation, planting, farm tool handling, irrigation assistance, harvesting support, and industrial attachment on a farm or agricultural enterprise.

Kenya's agricultural sector continues to be a major employer with opportunities in crop production, horticulture, and food security initiatives. Government programmes promoting agricultural production, expansion of irrigation schemes, and growth of commercial farming create demand for trained agricultural support personnel.

Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in farm environments. Students practice soil preparation, planting, tool handling, irrigation, harvesting, and basic farm operations under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment on farms or agricultural enterprises where students apply their skills in real production environments.

Graduates work as farm assistants, field helpers, crop production assistants, and general farm workers in agricultural enterprises, horticultural farms, government agricultural projects, and commercial farming operations. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Agriculture Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised agricultural technology and management roles.

This programme is suitable for KCSE certificate holders with a mean grade of E or KCPE certificate who are interested in farming and agriculture and seeking entry-level positions in the agricultural production sector.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Basic Land Preparation
  • Simple Planting
  • Basic Weeding
  • Animal Feeding Assistance
  • Tool Handling
  • Farm Cleanliness
  • Basic Produce Handling
  • Workplace Safety

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Workplace Safety

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Occupational safety and health practices on farms including safe tool use, chemical handling, animal safety, and personal protective equipment for agricultural work.

  • Basic Land Preparation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Basic land clearing, tilling, and seedbed preparation using hand tools and simple implements for small-scale crop production activities.

  • Simple Planting

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Basic planting and sowing techniques including seed placement, spacing, depth control, and transplanting for common crop varieties.

  • Basic Weeding

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Identifying and removing weeds using hand tools and manual methods to maintain clean crop fields and reduce competition for nutrients and water.

  • Animal Feeding Assistance

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Assisting with feeding and watering farm animals including feed preparation, ration measurement, and clean water provision for livestock.

  • Tool Handling

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Identifying, selecting, and safely handling basic farm tools including hoes, pangas, forks, spades, and watering cans for agricultural work.

  • Farm Cleanliness

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Maintaining clean and organised farm areas including pen cleaning, tool storage, waste removal, and general farm hygiene for healthy production.

  • Basic Produce Handling

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Handling harvested produce carefully including sorting, grading, packing, and storage to maintain quality and reduce post-harvest losses.

Specialisations

  • Entrepreneurial

    Basic agribusiness enterprise skills including produce marketing, cost calculation, and small-scale agricultural venture management for self-employment in farming.

  • Sustainable

    Basic sustainable agriculture practices including soil conservation, composting, water management, and environmentally friendly farming methods for small-scale operations.

  • Community Development

    Supporting agricultural community development through farmer group participation, knowledge sharing, and local market engagement in rural farming areas.

  • Crop Production

    Basic crop production support including planting, weeding, harvesting, and routine field operations for general agricultural enterprises.

A day as a student

Students spend virtually all their time on farms preparing land, planting, weeding, feeding animals, handling tools, and performing basic farm tasks.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Quick entry to agricultural workforce with basic skills.Entry-level positions have modest salaries.
Most affordable entry point to agriculture.Basic skills limit initial job options to labour roles.
Foundation for progression to craft, certificate, and diploma.—

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses
Public67k to 67k
67k at Friends College Kaimosi67k at Public TVET institutions (standardized fee)
Private17k to 23k
17k at St. Paul's University TVET (Nakuru)23k at St. Paul's University TVET (Limuru)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TVET 67,189/yr public. St. Paul's TVET 17,000-22,500/yr (spu.ac.ke).

TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Artisan programmes are the most affordable entry point to agriculture.

Funding options

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

    BursaryKenyan

    Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties.

  • HELB TVET Loans

    LoanKenyan

    Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.

  • TVET Funding

    Government fundingKenyan

    Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus) or below, or KCPE certificateminimum entry
Alternative entry

KCPE certificate holders are also eligible. No specific subject requirements.

When it next starts

Taught at 25 institutions
January 202725 institutions

Including Lukenya University, South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University.

May 202725 institutions

Including Lukenya University, South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University.

September 202725 institutions

Including Lukenya University, South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Theory Assessment

    Test15% of the mark

    Basic written assessment of supporting agricultural knowledge.

  • Practical Projects

    Project25% of the mark

    Completion of basic farm task projects.

  • Competency-Based Practical Assessment

    Practicum60% of the mark

    TVET-CDACC competency assessment of practical farm skills.

Accreditation

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    NationalRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.

  • TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council

    NationalRequired

    Examining and certifying body for competency-based programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).

Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and certified by TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC) under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Animal Attendant

    Moderate demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000

    Assist with basic animal care and feeding.

  • Farm Labourer

    Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000

    Perform basic farm work under supervision.

  • Farm Attendant

    Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 45,000

    Support general farm operations.

  • Garden Helper

    Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000

    Assist with garden and farm maintenance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as farm labourers and garden helpers in farms and agricultural enterprises across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Artisan agriculture is not a real qualification

    It is a TVET-CDACC certified qualification providing entry to the agricultural profession with clear progression paths.

  • Farm labour doesn't need training

    Even basic farm work benefits from knowledge of safety, tools, and proper methods — training improves productivity and safety.

  • Artisan graduates are stuck in low-level roles

    Artisan graduates can progress to craft, certificate, and diploma levels in agriculture.

  • This programme has limited career opportunities.

    Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.

Further reading

Read next