Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agronomy

The Bachelor of Science in Agronomy is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in agronomy. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Weed Science, Entomology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Cropping Systems, Entomology, Irrigation. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Plant Breeding and Genetics, Crop Protection, Principles of Crop Production, Plant Physiology, Introduction to Agronomy. 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 Crop Production and Management, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Soil Science and Fertility Management. 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 Agronomy pursue careers as Agricultural Officer, Crop Scientist, Agronomist, Crop Consultant. 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 371,000
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

10 subjects

Agronomy
Crop Physiology
Plant Breeding
Soil Science
Weed Science
Entomology
Plant Pathology
Irrigation
Cropping Systems
Seed Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Agronomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of agronomy, crop production systems, and their importance in agriculture.
Principles of Crop Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamental principles of crop production, including cultivation practices and crop management.
Plant Physiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Plant physiological processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and plant growth.
Soil Science and Fertility
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil Science and Fertility: Soil properties, fertility, and management for sustainable crop production. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Crop Protection
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Pest and disease management in crops, including integrated pest management strategies.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Plant breeding principles, genetic improvement, and development of crop varieties.
Weed Science
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Weed Science: Weed biology, ecology, and management strategies for weed control. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Seed Science and Technology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Seed production, processing, storage, and quality control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Irrigation and Water Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Irrigation and Water Management: Irrigation systems, water management, and water use efficiency for crops. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Post-Harvest Technology
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Post-harvest handling, storage, and processing of crops. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Sustainable Crop Production
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainable farming practices, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture.
Agronomy Research Methods
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Research design and methods for agronomy, including field experiments and data analysis.

Specialisations

Crop Production and Management
Focus on crop cultivation, production systems, cropping systems and crop management. 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.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Specialisation in plant genetics, breeding techniques, variety development and seed science. 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 and Fertility Management
Focus on soil properties, soil fertility, nutrient management and soil conservation. 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 Protection
Specialisation in plant pathology, entomology, weed science and integrated pest management. 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.
Irrigation and Water Management
Focus on irrigation systems, water management and water-efficient cropping systems. 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 agronomy lectures, conducting field trials on research farms, working in the laboratory on plant pathology and tissue culture, analysing field data using statistical software and attending IT practicals for digital farm management.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in ensuring food security through improved crop production.
Hands-on fieldwork provides practical experience with crop production systems.
Growing demand for agronomists due to climate change and food security concerns.

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding and weather-dependent.
Crop production faces challenges from pests, diseases, and climate variability.

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 Maseno University371k 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

Maseno 275,000/yr; UoN 371,000/yr (KUCCPS educationnewshub). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.

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 Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy or related fields with Credit pass from recognised institutions may also apply.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and practical reports throughout the semester.
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 agronomy topic, including field experiments and written report.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of practical skills in crop production, field trials, and crop management.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University as BSc Agronomy with IT.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Agricultural Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Provide extension services, advise farmers, and implement agricultural programmes.
Crop Scientist
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Conduct crop research, develop improved varieties, and advise on crop production.
Agronomist
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provide agronomic advice, manage crop production, and improve crop yields.
Crop Consultant
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provide expert advice on crop management, pest control, and crop production.
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage commercial farms, oversee crop production, and ensure operational efficiency.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agronomists, crop production officers, soil management advisors and farm managers in agricultural companies, seed companies, research institutions, county governments and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for field trial data management, crop recording and farm budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for agronomic research and field trial data analysis.
R
Software
Programming language for statistical modelling in plant breeding and crop science.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for precision agriculture, soil mapping and land use planning.
FarmLogs
Software
Farm management software for crop monitoring, field mapping and yield tracking.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agronomy is just about farming.
The programme covers crop physiology, plant breeding, soil science, biotechnology, precision agriculture and research methods.
Graduates only work on farms.
Graduates work in seed companies, agrochemical firms, research institutions, county governments, NGOs and consulting firms.
Agronomy is outdated in the digital age.
The programme integrates IT throughout the curriculum, covering precision agriculture, digital farm management and data analytics.
Agronomy has limited career prospects.
Demand for agronomists is growing due to climate change, food security concerns and the expansion of commercial agriculture in Kenya.