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.
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.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 22,500
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 1 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Artisan Certificate
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 programmeWorkplace 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 favour
- Quick entry to agricultural workforce with basic skills.
- Most affordable entry point to agriculture.
- Foundation for progression to craft, certificate, and diploma.
Against it
- Entry-level positions have modest salaries.
- Basic skills limit initial job options to labour roles.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture coursesAnnual 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 recordedNational 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.
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 certificate
- Alternative entry
- KCPE certificate holders are also eligible. No specific subject requirements.
How you are assessed
3 componentsTheory 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
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.
Accredited by
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).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesAnimal 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- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public Health OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance Loss AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Dairy Farm Business ConsultantAgriculture16Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Artisan in General Agriculture are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.