Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - Agricultural Business
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a specialisation in Agricultural Business is a degree programme that combines agricultural science with business management principles to prepare graduates for the agricultural enterprise sector. The programme is offered at Egerton University, where students pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a specialisation in agricultural business, preparing graduates for careers in agribusiness management, agricultural marketing and enterprise development.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 371,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,484,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 178,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 8 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 20 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers agricultural business, agribusiness management, agricultural economics, crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, agricultural policy, value addition, research methods and project management. Students develop competencies in both agricultural production and business management.
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 manage agricultural enterprises, develop business plans, analyse market opportunities and implement value addition strategies in the agricultural sector.
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 business principles in agricultural 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, marketing officers, farm managers and value chain analysts across the agricultural and business sectors.
What you study
6 subjects- Agricultural Business
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Marketing
- Finance
- Entrepreneurship
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Agricultural Business
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of agricultural business, the agricultural sector, and business principles.
Principles of Agricultural Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamental economic principles applied to agriculture, including supply, demand, and market analysis.
Business Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles of business management, including planning, organizing, and controlling.
Agricultural Marketing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of agricultural marketing, including market structures and marketing functions.
Financial Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial management principles, including budgeting, financial analysis, and investment decisions.
Agribusiness Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship principles, business plan development, and startup management in agribusiness.
Farm Business Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Management principles for agricultural enterprises, including production planning and resource allocation.
Agricultural Production Economics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic analysis of agricultural production systems, including cost analysis and productivity measurement.
Agribusiness Finance
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Financial systems in agriculture, including credit, investment, and risk management.
Supply Chain Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Supply chain management for agricultural products, including logistics and distribution.
Agribusiness Strategy
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic management principles applied to agribusiness, including competitive analysis and strategy formulation.
Agribusiness Research Methods
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Research methods for agribusiness, including market research and business analysis.
Specialisations
Agricultural Marketing
Specialization in 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.
Farm Management
Focus on managing agricultural enterprises, production planning, and resource allocation. 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 Finance
Focus on financial management, investment analysis, and agribusiness 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.
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 business analysis, participate in agribusiness projects, and engage in entrepreneurship activities.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for agribusiness professionals in Kenya's expanding agricultural sector. | Agribusiness can be affected by seasonal factors and market volatility. |
| Combines business with agriculture, offering unique skill set for agribusiness. | Starting an agribusiness requires significant capital and carries financial risk. |
| Diverse career opportunities in management, consulting, and entrepreneurship. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture coursesAnnual 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). UEAB 178,800/yr (victormatara).
HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Scholarships
4 recordedCounty 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
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.
Scholarships you could apply for
14 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Agribusiness, Business Management, Agriculture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 20 institutionsIncluding University of Embu, Pwani University, Chuka University.
Including University of Embu, Pwani University, Chuka University.
Including University of Embu, Pwani University, Chuka University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and business case analyses throughout the semester.
Business Project Assessments
Project100% of the mark
Evaluation of business plan development, market analysis, and business strategy implementation.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on agricultural business topic.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesFinancial Analyst
Medium demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyze financial performance, prepare budgets, and advise on financial decisions.
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage commercial farms, oversee production, and ensure operational efficiency.
Agribusiness Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage agribusiness operations, oversee business activities, and ensure profitability.
Marketing Manager
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Develop and implement marketing strategies for agricultural products and services.
Agricultural Consultant
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provide expert advice on agribusiness management, farm operations, and business development.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in agricultural business management, farm management, and agricultural consulting across Kenya's agricultural sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Agroecological Farming SpecialistAgriculture13Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for financial analysis, farm budgeting and agribusiness data management.
QuickBooks
SoftwarePrimary
Accounting software for agribusiness financial management and bookkeeping.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for market research and agricultural data analysis.
Power BI
Software
Business analytics tool for agribusiness data visualisation and dashboards.
SAP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software for agribusiness operations management.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Agribusiness is just farming
Agribusiness encompasses the entire value chain from input supply to production, processing, marketing, and distribution. It's a complex business sector, not just farming.
Agribusiness is low-tech
Modern agribusiness uses advanced technology including precision agriculture, biotechnology, data analytics, automation, and digital platforms.
Agribusiness is not profitable
Agribusiness can be highly profitable with proper management, market access, and value addition. Many agribusinesses generate significant returns.
Agribusiness is only for large corporations
Small and medium enterprises play a crucial role in agribusiness. Family farms, cooperatives, and SMEs are vital to the agricultural sector.
Agribusiness management is the same as general business management
Agribusiness requires specialized knowledge of agricultural production cycles, seasonality, biological risks, and unique market dynamics that general business management doesn't cover.
Agribusiness harms the environment
Sustainable agribusiness practices can protect and enhance the environment. Many agribusinesses are adopting sustainable practices, conservation agriculture, and environmental stewardship.