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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 225,576
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Direct impact on rural agribusinesses and economic development through extension work.
Diverse career opportunities in government, NGOs, and development organizations.
Combines agriculture with business and social sciences, offering unique skill set.

Against it

Fieldwork in rural areas may require extended travel and basic living conditions.
Agribusiness development work can be slow and requires patience with long-term impact.

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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Extension, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

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.