Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is a programme that provides comprehensive training in agricultural science, crop production, animal husbandry and agricultural extension. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, JKUAT, Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in agriculture and food production.

The curriculum covers crop science, soil science, animal science, agricultural economics, crop protection, plant breeding, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural extension, agricultural biotechnology, farm machinery, irrigation, agricultural research, statistics, research methods and a research project. Students develop scientific and practical skills in agriculture.

Kenya's agricultural sector, food security concerns and the government's agricultural transformation agenda create strong demand for agriculture graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, farm practice, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as agricultural officers, extension officers, farm managers, crop scientists, animal scientists, agricultural researchers, agricultural consultants, food security analysts and agribusiness managers. They work in government ministries, county governments, agricultural companies, research institutions, NGOs, international organisations 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, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. 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 371,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 60 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Crop Science
Soil Science
Animal Science
Agricultural Economics
Crop Protection
Plant Breeding
Agronomy
Horticulture
Agricultural Extension
Agricultural Biotechnology

Modules

12 in the programme

Crop Production and Agronomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of crop production, agronomy and crop physiology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Animal Production and Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Animal Production and Health: Animal husbandry, nutrition, breeding, health and production Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Soil Science and Fertility
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Soil Science and Fertility: Soil properties, fertility, conservation and plant nutrition Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Economics and Farm Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Farm economics, management, planning and decision making. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Plant Pathology and Entomology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant Pathology and Entomology: Diseases, pests, integrated pest management and crop protection Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Extension and Communication
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Agricultural Extension and Communication: Extension methods, communication, adoption and rural sociology Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Biotechnology applications in crop and animal improvement. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation: Farm machinery, irrigation, post-harvest and agricultural engineering Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applic...
Rural Development and Sustainability
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Rural Development and Sustainability: Rural development, sustainable agriculture and food security Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness: Agricultural marketing, value chains, agribusiness and entrepreneurship Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Climate change, adaptation, mitigation and sustainable practices Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent agricultural research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework a...

Specialisations

Animal Science
Livestock production. 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 Extension
Farmer advisory. 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.
Agronomy
Field crop production. 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.
Horticulture
Fruit and vegetable production. 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.
Crop Science
Specialization in Crop Science, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-scientist. 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.
Soil Science
Specialization in Soil Science, preparing graduates for careers such as soil-scientist. 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
Specialization in Agribusiness, preparing graduates for careers such as agribusiness-manager. 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 Agricultural Economics, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-economist.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending agriculture lectures, working in soil and plant laboratories, conducting field practicals on the university farm, studying crop and animal science, researching agricultural technologies, and preparing for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Agriculture is a key sector in Kenya
Diverse career paths in research, extension and business
Opportunities for entrepreneurship and agribusiness
Contributes to food security and rural development

Against it

Farm work can be physically demanding and weather-dependent
Some rural postings may have limited amenities
Agricultural markets can be volatile
May require postgraduate training for research roles

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 371k

275k at Kenyatta University371k at University of Nairobi

Private125k to 179k

125k at Mount Kenya University179k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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

UoN 371,000/yr; KU 275,400/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 125,000/yr; UEAB 178,800/yr (prospectus).

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

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

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

5 components

Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory and Farm Practicals
Coursework40% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at UoN, Egerton, JKUAT, KU, Moi, Maseno and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

7 roles

Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Agricultural consulting
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Farmer advisory services
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Commercial farm management
Agricultural Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Agricultural research
Agricultural Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Government agricultural services
Agronomist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Specialises in crop production and soil management
Animal Production Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages livestock production and health

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural officers, extension officers, farm managers and agricultural researchers in government, agricultural companies and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Farm financial modelling and analysis.
QuickBooks
Accounting
Agribusiness accounting.
SAP Agricultural Contract Management
Erp
Agricultural contract and supply management.
R
AnalyticsPrimary
QGIS
Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agriculture is just about farming.
The programme covers crop science, soil science, biotechnology, economics and research.
Agriculture graduates become farmers.
Graduates work in research, extension, consulting, government and agribusiness.
Agriculture is not a profitable career.
Agriculture is a major sector with diverse professional opportunities.
Agriculture is for those who cannot get into other sciences.
Agriculture is a rigorous science programme requiring strong biology and chemistry skills.