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Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Extension Development

The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Extension Development is a degree programme that combines agribusiness principles with extension services to prepare graduates for agricultural advisory and enterprise development roles. The programme is offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, preparing graduates for careers in agricultural extension, agribusiness consulting, rural development and enterprise development.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 225,576
Ksh 902,304 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 225,576 a year at a public institution, Ksh 902,304 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) 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 8 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers agribusiness management, extension education, rural sociology, agricultural communication, technology transfer, enterprise development, value chain management, agricultural policy, rural development, participatory rural appraisal, farmer field schools, project management and research methods. Students develop competencies in extension service delivery and agribusiness development.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, field visits to farming communities, extension practicals, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can deliver extension services, develop agribusiness enterprises, facilitate farmer training and implement rural development programmes.

The programme emphasises the critical role of extension services in transforming Kenya's agricultural sector, where bridging the gap between research and farming practice is essential for productivity improvement. Students learn about adult learning, communication strategies, participatory approaches and the integration of technology in extension delivery.

Graduates are equipped to work in county agricultural departments, non-governmental organisations, agricultural research institutions, agribusiness consulting firms, farmer organisations and international development agencies. They play a critical role in promoting technology adoption and enterprise development.

Career opportunities exist in county governments, NGOs, research institutions, consulting firms, farmer organisations and development agencies. Graduates work as extension officers, agribusiness development officers, rural development coordinators, agricultural consultants and enterprise development specialists across the agricultural sector.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Agribusiness Extension
  • Business Development
  • Rural Development
  • Technology Transfer
  • Agribusiness Consulting
  • Entrepreneurship

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Agribusiness Extension

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Overview of agribusiness extension, its role in agricultural development, and extension methodologies.

  • Agribusiness Development

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Principles and practices of agribusiness development, including enterprise development and growth strategies.

  • Rural Business Development

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Business development principles applied to rural agribusinesses and enterprises.

  • Extension Methods for Agribusiness

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Extension methodologies and communication strategies for agribusiness technology transfer.

  • Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Agribusiness Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial skills for starting and managing agribusiness enterprises. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

  • Technology Transfer in Agribusiness

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Technology Transfer in Agribusiness: Methods for transferring agribusiness technologies from research to practice. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Agribusiness Consulting

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Consulting skills for providing advisory services to agribusinesses and farmers.

  • Rural Development

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Rural development strategies, policies, and programmes for improving rural livelihoods.

  • Agribusiness Finance

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Financial management and access to finance for agribusinesses and rural enterprises.

  • Programme Planning and Evaluation

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of agribusiness extension programmes.

  • Agribusiness Marketing

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Agribusiness Marketing: Marketing principles and strategies for agribusiness products and services. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.

  • Extension Research Methods

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Research methods for agribusiness extension work, including action research and evaluation.

Specialisations

  • Business Development

    Specialization in enterprise development, business consulting, and growth strategies. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Rural Development

    Focus on rural economic development, community mobilization, and development programmes. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Agribusiness Extension

    Focus on technology transfer, business training, and agribusiness extension methodologies. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • General Practice

    Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct fieldwork in rural communities, participate in extension activities, and engage in agribusiness development projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Direct impact on rural agribusinesses and economic development through extension work.Fieldwork in rural areas may require extended travel and basic living conditions.
Diverse career opportunities in government, NGOs, and development organizations.Agribusiness development work can be slow and requires patience with long-term impact.
Combines agriculture with business and social sciences, offering unique skill set.—

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
Public226k to 226k
226k at JKUAT226k at JKUAT

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

JKUAT offers this course (jitimu.com). Fee ~225,576/yr per JKUAT agri rates. Private: unverified.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    Government fundingKenyan

    Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

  • TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University

Scholarships you could apply for

11 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
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Extension, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.

May 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.

September 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Exam70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and field reports throughout the semester.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on agribusiness extension or development topic.

  • Fieldwork Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of extension skills, business development, and programme implementation.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    NationalRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Agribusiness Extension Officer

    High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000

    Provide extension services to agribusinesses, transfer technologies, and improve business practices.

  • Business Development Officer

    High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000

    Develop agribusiness enterprises, provide business advisory services, and facilitate growth.

  • NGO Programme Officer

    High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Manage agribusiness and rural development programmes for NGOs and development organizations.

  • Rural Development Specialist

    Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Design and implement rural development programmes, coordinate development initiatives.

  • Agribusiness Consultant

    Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Provide expert advice on agribusiness management, strategy, and development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in agribusiness extension, business development, and rural development across Kenya's agricultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SoftwarePrimary

    Spreadsheet for extension data management, enterprise planning and project budgeting.

  • SPSS

    SoftwarePrimary

    Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.

  • QGIS

    Software

    GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.

  • PowerPoint

    Software

    Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.

  • KoboToolbox

    Software

    Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Extension is only about teaching farmers how to farm

    Modern extension encompasses business development, technology transfer, market access, policy advocacy, and community development beyond just farming techniques.

  • Extension workers only need agricultural knowledge

    Effective extension requires communication skills, business acumen, social understanding, facilitation abilities, and knowledge of technology transfer methods.

  • Rural development is only about infrastructure

    Rural development includes human capital development, institutional strengthening, market access, entrepreneurship, and social empowerment alongside physical infrastructure.

  • Technology transfer happens automatically once research is done

    Technology transfer requires deliberate extension efforts, adaptation to local conditions, training, and ongoing support to ensure adoption and success.

  • Agribusiness consulting is only for large commercial farms

    Agribusiness consulting services benefit smallholder farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses of all scales, and rural enterprises seeking growth and efficiency.

  • Extension work produces quick results

    Extension and rural development are long-term processes requiring patience, relationship building, and sustained effort to achieve meaningful impact.

Further reading

Read next