Artisan in Horticulture
The Artisan in Horticulture is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental horticultural 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, nursery management, irrigation, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 268,756 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 33,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of E mean grade at KCSE or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 28 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 horticultural production, nursery management, irrigation assistance, pest control, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and industrial attachment on a horticultural farm or enterprise.
Kenya's horticultural sector is a major export earner with growing demand for trained production personnel. Flower farms, vegetable growers, fruit orchards, and nursery enterprises create opportunities for entry-level horticultural support staff across the country.
Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in farm and nursery environments. Students practice planting, nursery management, irrigation, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment on horticultural farms or in nursery enterprises where students apply their skills in real production environments.
Graduates work as horticultural farm assistants, nursery helpers, irrigation assistants, and harvesting helpers in horticultural farms, flower farms, vegetable growing enterprises, and nursery businesses. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Horticulture Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised horticultural 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 plant production and farming and seeking entry-level positions in the horticultural and floricultural sector.
What you study
6 subjects- Plant Cultivation
- Nursery Management
- Vegetable Production
- Fruit Production
- Plant Propagation
- Crop Management
Modules
10 in the programmeIntroduction to Horticulture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of horticulture industry, plant production systems, and safety procedures in horticultural operations.
Horticultural Tools and Equipment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Identification, use, and maintenance of horticultural tools, farm equipment, and irrigation systems.
Plant Propagation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Seed propagation, vegetative propagation, cuttings, and plant multiplication techniques.
Nursery Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Nursery establishment, seedling care, transplanting, watering, shading, and basic nursery operations for horticultural plant propagation and seedling production.
Vegetable Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Vegetable cultivation, vegetable varieties, and vegetable production techniques.
Fruit Production
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Fruit tree cultivation, orchard management basics, planting, pruning, fertilising, and fruit production techniques for common fruit crops in Kenya.
Soil Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil preparation, fertilisation, soil health, and nutrient management for horticultural crops.
Pest and Disease Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Pest identification, disease control, and integrated pest management in horticulture.
Harvesting and Post-harvest
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Harvesting techniques, post-harvest handling, sorting, grading, packaging, storage, and quality maintenance for horticultural produce.
Entrepreneurship Skills
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Basic business skills for self-employment including horticulture business management and marketing.
Specialisations
Vegetable Production
Focus on vegetable cultivation and vegetable production systems including planting, crop management, pest control, and harvesting for commercial and household vegetable production.
Fruit Production
Specialisation in fruit tree cultivation and fruit production including orchard establishment, pruning, pest management, and harvesting for commercial and small-scale fruit farming.
Nursery Operations
Focus on nursery management and plant propagation including seedling production, grafting, potting, watering, and nursery structure management for horticultural enterprises.
Post-Harvest Handling
Basic post-harvest handling support including sorting, grading, packaging, and storage of horticultural produce for quality maintenance and market preparation.
A day as a student
Students attend practical farm sessions, theory classes, and field visits to gain hands-on horticulture skills.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for horticulture workers in Kenya's growing agricultural and export sectors. | Work can be physically demanding and requires working outdoors in various conditions. |
| Practical hands-on training with immediate employability after programme completion. | Income variability due to market price fluctuations and seasonal production patterns. |
| Opportunities for self-employment through horticulture farming and agribusiness. | — |
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
Public TVET 67,189/yr. Private: St Paul's 17K, AITEC 33K/yr (spu.ac.ke, aitec.ac.ke).
TVET funding available for eligible students. Some institutions offer bursaries based on financial need.
Funding options
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Scholarships
3 recordedTVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need and programme requirements.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties, targeting orphans, learners from low-income households, students with disabilities, and vulnerable youth.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds including low-income families, orphaned children, and persons with disabilities.
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificate or equivalent qualification. Adults with relevant experience may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 28 institutionsIncluding Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kipsoen Technical And Vocational College, Sotik Technical Training Institute.
Including Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kipsoen Technical And Vocational College, Sotik Technical Training Institute.
Including Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kipsoen Technical And Vocational College, Sotik Technical Training Institute.
How you are assessed
4 componentsTheory Tests
Test30% of the mark
Written tests on horticulture theory, plant science, and production principles.
Continuous Practical Assessments
Practicum40% of the mark
Ongoing evaluation of practical skills in field sessions throughout the training period.
Final Practical Project
Project30% of the mark
Completion of a comprehensive practical project demonstrating horticulture skills.
Trade Test
Exam100% of the mark
KNEC national examination for artisan certification in horticulture.
Accreditation
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA). 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
5 rolesSelf-employed Horticulture Producer
Medium demandKsh 17,000 to Ksh 50,000
Operate own horticulture enterprise producing vegetables, fruits, or ornamental plants.
Farm Worker
Medium demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 30,000
Provide general farm support including horticultural activities and farm maintenance.
Greenhouse Worker
Medium demandKsh 21,000 to Ksh 36,000
Work in greenhouse operations including controlled environment plant production.
Horticulture Worker
High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 35,000
Perform horticultural operations including planting, cultivation, and crop maintenance.
Nursery Assistant
High demandKsh 19,000 to Ksh 32,000
Assist with nursery operations, seedling care, and plant propagation.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in horticulture, plant production, and agricultural operations across Kenya's agricultural sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Boda Motorcycle MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Horticulture is only about gardening
Horticulture encompasses commercial plant production, nursery management, and specialised crop cultivation for markets.
Artisan horticulture has limited career growth
Horticulture provides a foundation for progression to craft certificate, diploma, and eventually specialised positions in agricultural management.
Horticulture is not profitable
With proper skills, market knowledge, and modern practices, horticulture can be a profitable agricultural venture.
Horticulture is traditional farming
Modern horticulture involves understanding of plant science, modern techniques, and market-oriented production.