Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Dryland Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science in Dryland Agriculture is a specialised programme that provides comprehensive training in agricultural production in arid and semi-arid lands. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenyatta University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in dryland farming and agricultural development in ASAL areas.

The curriculum covers dryland crop production, drought-resistant crops, irrigation farming, rainwater harvesting, soil and water conservation, dryland livestock production, pasture management in arid areas, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, food security in ASALs, agricultural extension, GIS for agriculture, research methods and a research project. Students develop skills for sustainable agriculture in water-scarce environments.

Kenya's ASAL regions, covering over 80% of the country, and food security concerns create demand for dryland agriculture graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, field practicals in ASAL areas, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as dryland agriculture officers, extension officers, irrigation specialists, food security analysts, agricultural project officers, NGO programme officers, researchers and agricultural consultants. They work in county governments in ASAL regions, Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, research institutions, international organisations and as consultants.

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: 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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Dryland Crop Production
Drought-Resistant Crops
Irrigation Farming
Rainwater Harvesting
Soil and Water Conservation
Dryland Livestock Production
Agroforestry
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Food Security in ASALs
Agricultural Extension

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Dryland Crop Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Crop production in ASALs. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Drought-Resistant Crops
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Drought-tolerant varieties. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Irrigation Farming
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Irrigation techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Rainwater Harvesting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Water harvesting methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Soil and Water Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Conservation in drylands. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Dryland Livestock Production
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Livestock in ASALs. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Agroforestry
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Tree-crop integration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate adaptation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Food Security in ASALs
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Food security strategies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Agroforestry
Tree-crop 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.
Irrigation Management
Irrigation in drylands. 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.
Dryland Livestock
Livestock in ASALs. 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.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Climate adaptation. 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.
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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending dryland agriculture lectures, studying drought-resistant crops, conducting field practicals in ASAL areas, researching water conservation techniques, learning irrigation methods, studying climate-smart agriculture, and working on dryland research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Addresses critical food security challenges in ASALs
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Specialised expertise with less competition
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Fieldwork in harsh ASAL environments
Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Some roles require working in remote areas

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 371k

307k at Egerton University371k at University of Nairobi

Private86k to 179k

86k at Lukenya 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 307K, UoN 371K. Lukenya 86K, UEAB 179K/yr. KUCCPS, uonbi.ac.ke

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. ASAL-focused NGOs may offer fieldwork 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 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.
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, dryland farming 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

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Field Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Fieldwork in ASAL areas
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at UoN, Egerton, SEKU, KU 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)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

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.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
ASAL development programmes
Dryland Agriculture Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Dryland farming
Irrigation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Irrigation management
Food Security Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Food security analysis

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as dryland agriculture officers, extension officers and food security analysts in ASAL county governments, NGOs and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QGIS
AnalyticsPrimary
WhatsApp
Communication
Google Earth Engine
Analytics
CROPWAT 8.0
Analytics
Google Maps
Analytics
ODK Collect
Analytics
KoboToolbox
Analytics
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for dryland mapping and agricultural planning.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for agricultural research data.
R
Software
Programming language for agricultural data analysis and modelling.
DSSAT
Software
Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer for crop modelling in drylands.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Dryland agriculture is just about farming in deserts.
The programme covers climate-smart agriculture, water management, livestock and food security.
There is no future in dryland agriculture.
Over 80% of Kenya is ASAL, making this expertise critical for food security.
Dryland agriculture graduates only work in remote areas.
Graduates work in research, policy, NGOs and international organisations.
This is less rigorous than general agriculture.
Dryland agriculture requires specialised knowledge of water-scarce farming systems.