Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship

The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship is a programme that combines agricultural economics with business management and entrepreneurial skills. Offered at JKUAT, Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Cooperative University of Kenya, Pwani University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Tom Mboya University, Kabarak University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in agribusiness management and enterprise development.

The curriculum covers agricultural economics, agribusiness management, farm management, agricultural marketing, supply chain management, agricultural finance, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, agricultural policy, food industry management, agricultural trade, cooperatives management, research methods and a research project. Students develop business and entrepreneurial skills applied to the agricultural sector.

Kenya's agricultural sector, the push for commercial farming and the growth of agribusiness enterprises create strong demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, field visits, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as agribusiness managers, farm managers, agricultural entrepreneurs, agricultural finance officers, marketing officers, supply chain managers, cooperative managers, agricultural consultants and enterprise development officers. They work in agricultural companies, banks, cooperatives, NGOs, government, farming enterprises and as entrepreneurs.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
Job market: High

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: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Agricultural Economics
Agribusiness Management
Farm Management
Agricultural Marketing
Supply Chain Management
Agricultural Finance
Entrepreneurship
Enterprise Development
Agricultural Policy
Food Industry Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic principles in agriculture. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...
Agribusiness Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Managing agribusiness enterprises. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Farm Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Farm business management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Agricultural Marketing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing agricultural products. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...
Supply Chain Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural supply chains. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Agricultural Finance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Financing agricultural enterprises. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...
Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Enterprise creation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Agricultural Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural policy framework. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Food Industry Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Food processing and distribution. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Agricultural Finance
Agricultural lending and finance. 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
Marketing agricultural products. 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.
Supply Chain Management
Agricultural supply chains. 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.
Enterprise Development
Agricultural entrepreneurship. 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 lectures, analysing agricultural markets, studying farm management economics, working on enterprise development plans, visiting agricultural enterprises, researching agricultural policy, and preparing for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Agriculture is a major sector of Kenya's economy
Combines business skills with agricultural knowledge
Strong entrepreneurial opportunities

Against it

Agricultural sector is vulnerable to climate and market shocks
Some roles require working in rural areas
Entry-level salaries may be modest

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

Public275k to 275k

275k at South Eastern Kenya University275k at South Eastern Kenya 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

SEKU 275,400/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private: unverified for this exact course.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students. County bursaries provide additional support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

4 recorded

TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics. Diploma in agriculture, agribusiness or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C
Chemistry or Physical Sciences
C
Mathematics
C
English or Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments and case studies
Industrial Attachment
Practicum10% of the mark
3-month attachment at agribusiness enterprise

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at multiple public and private universities. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Marketing Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Agricultural marketing
Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Managing agribusiness enterprises
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Commercial farm management
Agricultural Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 0 to Ksh 500,000
Agricultural enterprise
Agricultural Finance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Agricultural lending

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agribusiness managers, farm managers, agricultural entrepreneurs and agricultural finance officers in agricultural companies, banks and cooperatives.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Agribusiness financial analysis and modeling
SPSS
Statistical analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis for agribusiness research
QuickBooks
Accounting
Accounting software for agribusiness enterprises
STATA
Statistical analysis
Econometric analysis for agribusiness
R
Statistical computing
Statistical computing for market analysis
SAP ERP
Erp
Enterprise resource planning for agribusiness operations

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agribusiness is just about farming.
The programme covers economics, marketing, finance, supply chain and enterprise development.
Agribusiness graduates become farmers.
Graduates work in management, finance, marketing, consulting and entrepreneurship.
Agriculture is not profitable in Kenya.
Commercial agriculture and agribusiness are growing sectors with significant opportunities.
Agribusiness is for those who cannot get into other business degrees.
Agribusiness is a specialised field combining agriculture and business with strong career prospects.