Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development

The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development is a degree programme that combines agricultural science with business management and entrepreneurship to prepare graduates for the agricultural enterprise sector. The programme is offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, preparing graduates for careers in agribusiness management, enterprise development, agricultural marketing and value chain management.

The curriculum covers agricultural economics, agribusiness management, enterprise development, agricultural marketing, supply chain management, farm management, agricultural finance, agricultural policy, value addition, entrepreneurship, innovation, research methods and project management. Students develop competencies in business planning, financial analysis and enterprise development.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, case studies, field visits to agribusiness enterprises, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can develop business plans, manage agricultural enterprises, analyse market opportunities and implement value addition strategies.

The programme emphasises the commercial transformation of agriculture in Kenya, where agribusiness offers significant opportunities for enterprise development along the entire agricultural value chain. Students learn about market analysis, investment planning, risk management and the integration of technology in agribusiness operations.

Graduates are equipped to work in agricultural companies, agro-processing firms, financial institutions serving agriculture, county agricultural departments, non-governmental organisations and agricultural consulting firms. They play a critical role in developing commercially viable agricultural enterprises.

Career opportunities exist in agricultural companies, agro-processing firms, banks and microfinance institutions, county governments, NGOs and consulting firms. Graduates work as agribusiness managers, enterprise development officers, farm managers, agricultural marketing officers and value chain analysts across the agricultural and business sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
Private, up to: Ksh 188,700
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Agricultural Economics
Agribusiness Management
Enterprise Development
Agricultural Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Farm Management
Agricultural Finance
Agricultural Policy
Value Addition
Entrepreneurship

Modules

12 in the programme

Agricultural Economics and Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to agriculture, supply and demand, and agricultural market theory.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agribusiness Management and Enterprise Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business management principles, enterprise development and agribusiness planning.
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural finance, credit systems, investment appraisal and financial management.
Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain: Agricultural marketing systems, supply chain management and market analysis. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Farm Management and Production Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Farm Management and Production Economics: Farm management principles, production economics and resource allocation. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Value Addition and Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Value addition processes, entrepreneurship development and innovation in agribusiness.
Value Addition and Food Safety
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Value addition processes, food safety standards and quality management in agribusiness.
Research Methods and Enterprise Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and a project applying agribusiness enterprise development principles.
Agricultural Policy and Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural policy frameworks, entrepreneurship development and innovation in agribusiness.
Research Methods and Agribusiness Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and a project applying agribusiness management and enterprise development principles.
Agricultural Policy and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Policy and Innovation: Agricultural policy frameworks, innovation management and technology adoption. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

Specialisations

Agribusiness Enterprise Development
Focus on starting and managing agricultural enterprises, business planning and investment analysis. 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.
Agricultural Marketing and Trade
Specialisation in agricultural marketing, domestic and international trade, and value chain management.
Farm Management
Focus on commercial farm operations, production planning and agricultural resource management. 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.
Agricultural Finance and Investment
Specialisation in agricultural lending, investment appraisal and financial management of agribusiness.
Agricultural Marketing and Supply Chain
Specialisation in agricultural marketing, distribution systems and value chain management. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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

A typical day involves attending agribusiness management lectures, analysing agricultural market data, developing enterprise business plans, visiting agribusiness companies for case studies, and studying agricultural economics and supply chain management principles.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

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 275k

226k at JKUAT275k at South Eastern Kenya University

Private109k to 189k

109k at Mount Kenya University189k at Kabarak University

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 ~225K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke), SEKU 275,400/yr (educationnewshub). Kabarak ~189K, MKU ~109K.

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. Equity Bank Wings to Fly supports academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Equity Bank Wings to Fly

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
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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)
Alternative entry: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at JKUAT under the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, enterprise development officers, farm managers and agricultural marketing officers in agricultural companies, agro-processing firms, financial institutions and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for financial analysis, farm budgeting, cost-benefit analysis and enterprise planning.
QuickBooks
SoftwarePrimary
Accounting software for agribusiness financial management, invoicing and bookkeeping.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for market research and agricultural data analysis.
SAP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software for large agribusiness operations.
Power BI
Software
Business analytics tool for agribusiness data visualisation and performance dashboards.
Business Model Canvas
Planning
Strategic management tool for developing and documenting business models.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agribusiness management is just about farming.
The programme covers agricultural economics, enterprise development, marketing, supply chain management, finance and value addition.
Graduates only work on farms.
Graduates work in agro-processing firms, banks, marketing companies, consulting firms, NGOs and county governments.
Agribusiness has limited career prospects.
Agriculture is Kenya's largest economic sector, creating strong demand for agribusiness professionals across the value chain.
Enterprise development is only about starting businesses.
Enterprise development covers business planning, investment analysis, innovation management and value chain development.