Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Marketing

The Bachelor Of Science In Agricultural Economics And Marketing is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in agricultural economics and marketing. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Marketing, Market Research, Price Analysis, Agribusiness, Economic Policy. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Agribusiness Marketing, Agricultural Trade, Consumer Behaviour in Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Strategy, Principles of Agricultural Economics. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Agricultural Marketing, Market Research, Agricultural Economics. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Agricultural Economics And Marketing pursue careers as Agricultural Economist, Market Analyst, Agribusiness Manager, Price Analyst. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 372,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Marketing
Market Research
Price Analysis
Agribusiness
Economic Policy

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental economic principles applied to agriculture, including supply, demand, and market analysis.
Agricultural Marketing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of agricultural marketing, including marketing functions and market structures.
Market Research Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Methods for conducting market research, including surveys, data collection, and analysis.
Agricultural Price Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Price determination in agricultural markets, price analysis, and pricing strategies.
Agricultural Marketing Strategy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Marketing Strategy: Development of marketing strategies for agricultural products and services. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Agribusiness Marketing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Agribusiness Marketing: Marketing principles applied to agribusiness, including value chain marketing. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Consumer Behaviour in Agriculture
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Understanding consumer behaviour in agricultural markets and food purchasing decisions.
Agricultural Trade
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Trade: International agricultural trade, trade policies, and market access. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Digital Marketing for Agriculture
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Digital marketing strategies for agricultural products, including social media and e-commerce.
Agricultural Market Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Market Development: Strategies for developing agricultural markets and improving market access. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Policy and Marketing
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Policy and Marketing: Analysis of agricultural policies and their impact on marketing and trade. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Marketing Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Marketing Research Project: Applied marketing research project on agricultural marketing topic. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.

Specialisations

Agricultural Marketing
Focus on marketing strategies, market research, and agricultural product marketing. 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.
Market Research
Focus on market research methods, consumer behaviour, and market 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 Economics
Specialization in economic analysis, policy, and price analysis for agriculture. 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 market research, participate in marketing projects, and engage in economic analysis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines economics with marketing, offering diverse career opportunities in both fields.
Growing demand for marketing professionals in Kenya's expanding agricultural sector.
Strong analytical skills developed through economic analysis and market research.

Against it

Agricultural markets can be volatile due to seasonal factors and price fluctuations.
Marketing can be competitive with pressure to meet sales targets.

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

Public326k to 372k

326k at Egerton University372k at University of Nairobi

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

Closest: Ag Economics at UoN ~372K/yr, Egerton ~326K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke, eafinder). Private: null.

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 Agricultural Economics, Marketing, Agribusiness, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and market analysis projects throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Marketing Project Assessments
Project100% of the mark
Evaluation of marketing plan development, market research, and campaign implementation.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on agricultural economics or marketing topic.

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

Agricultural Economist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Conduct economic analysis of agricultural systems, advise on policy, and analyze market trends.
Market Analyst
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyze market trends, conduct market research, and provide market insights.
Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage agribusiness operations, oversee marketing, and ensure business profitability.
Price Analyst
Medium demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Analyze price trends, conduct price analysis, and advise on pricing strategies.
Marketing Manager
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Develop and implement marketing strategies, manage marketing campaigns, and drive market growth.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in agricultural economics, marketing, and market analysis across Kenya's agricultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Earth
Gis
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai