Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development is a degree programme that combines agricultural extension services with rural development principles to prepare graduates for agricultural advisory and community development roles. The programme is offered at Kisii University, preparing graduates for careers in agricultural extension, rural development, community mobilisation and agricultural advisory services.

The curriculum covers crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural economics, plant pathology, agricultural extension, rural sociology, community development, agricultural communication, technology transfer, participatory rural appraisal, project management, research methods and agricultural policy. Students develop competencies in extension service delivery and rural development planning.

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, facilitate community development, implement rural development programmes and promote agricultural technology adoption.

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 rural livelihoods analysis.

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

Career opportunities exist in county governments, NGOs, research institutions, community-based organisations, development agencies and farmer organisations. Graduates work as extension officers, rural development officers, community development specialists, project coordinators and agricultural advisory officers across the agricultural and development sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 371,000
Private, up to: Ksh 119,100
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Crop Production
Animal Husbandry
Soil Science
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Extension
Rural Sociology
Community Development
Agricultural Communication
Technology Transfer
Project Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Crop Production and Animal Husbandry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of crop production, animal husbandry and agricultural production systems.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
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.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Soil Science and Plant Pathology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Soil Science and Plant Pathology: Soil properties, soil management, plant diseases and pest management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Extension and Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Extension education principles, communication strategies and adult learning methods.
Technology Transfer and Innovation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Technology transfer mechanisms, innovation adoption and agricultural innovation systems.
Rural Sociology and Community Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Rural sociology, community structures, participatory approaches and development planning.
Agricultural Economics and Policy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural economics principles, policy analysis and agricultural development frameworks.
Participatory Rural Appraisal and Project Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Participatory rural appraisal methods, project planning, implementation and evaluation.
Research Methods and Extension Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection and a project applying extension and rural development principles.

Specialisations

Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services
Focus on extension service delivery, farmer advisory services, communication strategies and technology transfer.
Rural Development and Community Development
Specialisation in rural livelihoods, community participation, participatory rural appraisal and development planning.
Agricultural Communication and ICT in Extension
Focus on agricultural communication, digital extension tools and ICT-enabled advisory services. 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 Policy and Project Management
Specialisation in agricultural policy analysis, project planning and rural development project management.
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 agricultural extension lectures, conducting field visits to farming communities, practising participatory rural appraisal techniques, studying rural sociology and developing community development project proposals.

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

Public307k to 371k

307k at Egerton University371k at University of Nairobi

Private119k to 119k

119k at Mount Kenya University119k at Mount 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

Egerton 307,340/yr; UoN 371,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 119,100/yr (MKU prospectus).

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. DAAD offers scholarships for agricultural and development students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
DAAD Scholarship

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 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.

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 Kisii University.

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 extension officers, rural development officers, community development specialists and project coordinators in county governments, NGOs, research institutions and development agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development 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.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for rural development mapping and analysis.
Microsoft PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation software for extension education and farmer training.
Logical Framework Approach
Planning
Planning tool for rural development project design and monitoring.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agricultural extension is just about giving farming advice.
The programme covers rural sociology, community development, communication strategies, technology transfer and participatory rural appraisal.
Graduates only work as extension officers.
Graduates work in county governments, NGOs, research institutions, development agencies, community-based organisations and farmer organisations.
Rural development has limited career prospects.
Rural development is a priority area in Kenya's development agenda, creating demand for professionals in government, NGOs and private sector.
Extension work is outdated in the digital age.
Extension services are evolving with digital tools, mobile data collection and ICT-enabled advisory services.