Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Nutrition

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Nutrition is a programme that prepares students for careers in livestock production, animal nutrition and animal health management. Offered at the University of Embu through the Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management, the programme equips graduates with knowledge and skills for improving animal productivity in Kenya's livestock sector.

The curriculum covers animal nutrition, feed science, animal breeding and genetics, animal health, ruminant production, monogastric production, pasture and forage management, animal welfare, livestock enterprise management, agricultural economics, animal products processing, range management and research methods. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in animal production systems.

Kenya's livestock sector is a significant contributor to the national economy, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where pastoralism is dominant. The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can improve livestock productivity, develop feeding strategies and provide extension services to farmers and pastoralists.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, farm practicals, industrial attachment and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in animal handling, feed formulation, breeding management and livestock enterprise operations through practical sessions at the university farm and attachment placements.

Graduates pursue careers as animal production officers, livestock extension officers, feed mill managers, breeding specialists, farm managers, agricultural project coordinators and livestock consultants in government agencies, agricultural companies, NGOs and farming enterprises. They can also pursue postgraduate study in animal science, nutrition or livestock production.

Prospective students should have an interest in animals and agriculture, strong analytical skills and a commitment to improving livestock productivity. The programme is suitable for students passionate about animal science and sustainable livestock production.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Animal Nutrition
Feed Science and Formulation
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Ruminant Production
Monogastric Production
Pasture and Forage Management
Animal Health and Welfare
Livestock Enterprise Management
Animal Products Processing
Range Management

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Animal Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces fundamental concepts of animal production including livestock species, production systems, the role of livestock in the economy and basic animal husbandry principles.
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the structure and function of animal body systems including digestive, reproductive, respiratory and circulatory systems relevant to animal production.
Principles of Animal Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduces nutritional principles including nutrients, digestion, metabolism, feed classification and nutrient requirements of different livestock species.
Feed Science and Formulation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers feed composition, feed processing, ration formulation, feed additives and cost-effective feed strategies for different livestock production systems.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines principles of animal genetics, inheritance, selection methods, breeding systems and genetic improvement programmes for livestock.
Ruminant Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers production systems for cattle, sheep and goats including dairy production, beef production, breeding management and herd health programmes.
Monogastric Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines production systems for poultry and pigs including broiler and layer management, pig breeding and finishing, and housing systems.
Pasture and Forage Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pasture establishment, forage conservation, grazing management, fodder production and feed resource management for livestock.
Livestock Enterprise Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines business management principles for livestock enterprises including record keeping, financial analysis, marketing and enterprise planning.
Animal Products Processing
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers processing of animal products including milk processing, meat processing, egg handling and quality control in animal product value chains.
Research Project in Animal Production
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an animal production or nutrition topic, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate livestock issues and present findings.

Specialisations

Animal Nutrition
Focuses on feed science, ration formulation, nutrient metabolism and feed technology for careers in feed manufacturing and nutritional consulting.
Dairy Production
Specialises in dairy cattle management including milk production, breeding, health and dairy enterprise management.
Poultry Production
Focuses on commercial poultry production including broiler and layer management, hatchery operations and poultry enterprise management.
Range and Pastoral Livestock Management
Specialises in livestock production in rangeland systems, addressing the needs of pastoral communities and dryland livestock management.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on animal nutrition or breeding genetics, followed by a laboratory session on feed analysis or animal health diagnostics. Afternoon sessions may include farm practicals at the university farm involving animal handling, feeding trials or breeding management, or group projects on livestock enterprise planning. Students also participate in field visits to commercial farms and feed mills.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's livestock sector is significant, with growing demand for trained professionals in commercial poultry, dairy and beef enterprises.
The programme provides both scientific knowledge and practical skills, preparing graduates for diverse roles in production, extension, research and agribusiness.
Animal nutrition expertise is increasingly valued in the feed manufacturing industry, creating specialised career opportunities.

Against it

Career opportunities in animal production may be limited in urban areas, with many positions requiring relocation to rural or peri-urban farming areas.
The programme involves hands-on work with animals, which may be physically demanding and requires comfort with livestock handling.

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 324k

275k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 179k

109k 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 Sch II:324K/yr. KU:275.4K/yr. MKU:109.1K/yr. UEAB:178.8K/yr.

Students can access HELB loans. Some agricultural organisations and livestock research institutes offer internship opportunities with stipends.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE Mean Grade C (Plain) with a Diploma in a relevant field, or KACE with two Principal Passes in Biology and Chemistry.

Biology or Biological Sciences or Agriculture
C+
Chemistry
C
Mathematics or Physics or Geography
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering animal production, anatomy and nutrition fundamentals.
Laboratory and Farm Practical Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions and farm practical reports including feed analysis, animal handling and breeding management exercises.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a commercial farm, feed mill or agricultural organisation.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on an animal production or nutrition topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu's Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Embu's Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Animal Production Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provides technical support on livestock production including feeding, breeding, health management and production system optimisation for farmers and agricultural organisations.
Livestock Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Delivers extension services to farmers and pastoralists on improved livestock production practices, nutrition management and animal health.
Feed Mill Manager
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages feed manufacturing operations including feed formulation, quality control, production planning and raw material procurement at feed mills.
Farm Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages livestock farm operations including breeding, feeding, health programmes, staff supervision and financial management for commercial farms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as animal production officers, livestock extension officers and farm managers in government agencies, agricultural companies and farming enterprises across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animal production is just about keeping livestock.
The programme applies scientific principles including genetics, nutrition, biochemistry and economics to optimise livestock productivity, requiring analytical and scientific skills beyond basic animal husbandry.
Graduates can only work as farmers.
Graduates work as extension officers, researchers, feed formulators, breeding specialists, project coordinators and consultants in government, research institutions, agribusiness companies and NGOs.
Animal nutrition is not a specialised field.
Animal nutrition is a complex scientific discipline involving feed chemistry, digestive physiology, nutrient requirements and feed formulation, critical for optimising livestock productivity and profitability.
The programme is only relevant for pastoral communities.
Animal production and nutrition skills are needed across all livestock systems including commercial poultry, dairy, beef, pig and aquaculture enterprises in both rural and urban settings.