Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Crop Improvement and Protection

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

The curriculum covers Crop Improvement, Plant Breeding, Crop Protection, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Biotechnology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Plant Genetics, Introduction to Crop Improvement and Protection, Seed Science and Technology, Weed Science, Agricultural Entomology. 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 Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Entomology. 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 Crop Improvement and Protection pursue careers as Crop Protection Specialist, Crop Breeder, Agricultural Researcher, Plant Pathologist. 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 366,000
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: 8 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Crop Improvement
Plant Breeding
Crop Protection
Plant Pathology
Entomology
Biotechnology

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Crop Improvement and Protection
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of crop improvement, crop protection, and their importance in agriculture.
Plant Breeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant Breeding: Principles of plant breeding, genetic improvement, and variety development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Plant Pathology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Plant Pathology: Plant diseases, disease diagnosis, and disease management strategies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Insect pests, pest biology, and integrated pest management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Crop Protection
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Crop Protection: Integrated crop protection strategies, pest and disease management. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Plant Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Biotechnology applications in crop improvement, genetic engineering, and molecular breeding.
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...
Plant Physiology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Plant physiological processes, growth, and development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Plant Genetics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Plant Genetics: Genetic principles, inheritance, and molecular genetics in plants. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Resistance Breeding
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Resistance Breeding: Breeding for resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Crop Improvement and Protection Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Crop Improvement and Protection Project: Independent research project on crop improvement or protection topic. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.

Specialisations

Plant Breeding
Focus on genetic improvement, variety development, and breeding methodologies. 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 Pathology
Specialization in plant diseases, disease diagnosis, and disease 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.
Entomology
Focus on insect pests, pest biology, 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.
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.
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

Students attend lectures, conduct laboratory analysis, participate in field trials, and engage in crop research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in developing improved crop varieties and protection strategies.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Hands-on experience with breeding programmes and crop protection research.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Growing demand for crop improvement professionals due to climate change and food security needs.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Crop breeding is a long-term process requiring patience and persistence.

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 366k

307k at Egerton University366k 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

Egerton 307.3K/yr KUCCPS. UoN 366K/yr faculty page. MKU 54.55K/sem=109.1K/yr. UEAB 89.4K/sem=178.8K/yr.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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.

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

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics/Physics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory 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 crop improvement or protection topic.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of practical skills in breeding, pest management, and crop protection.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

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.
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Crop Protection Specialist
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implement crop protection strategies, manage pest and disease control, and advise farmers.
Crop Breeder
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Develop improved crop varieties, implement breeding programmes, and conduct genetic research.
Agricultural Researcher
Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Conduct agricultural research, develop technologies, and contribute to scientific knowledge.
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.
Plant Pathologist
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Diagnose plant diseases, develop disease management strategies, and conduct research.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in crop improvement, crop protection, and agricultural research across Kenya's agricultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Earth
Gis
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for crop pest mapping and field analysis.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for crop improvement research data.
DSSAT
Software
Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer for crop modelling.
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai