Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Dryland Resource Management

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in dryland resource management. It develops expertise in dryland ecosystems, rangeland management, water resources, dryland agriculture, and environmental conservation while building comprehensive skills for sustainable management of dryland resources.

Students analyse dryland ecosystems, design resource management strategies, implement conservation techniques, evaluate resource sustainability, conduct dryland research, apply ecological principles, manage resource projects, and develop sustainable dryland practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, resource management skills, communication, teamwork, and environmental abilities.

Kenya requires dryland resource management to support sustainable development, enhance environmental conservation, and promote resilience in arid and semi-arid regions, creating demand for professionals who can work in rangeland management, environmental conservation, water management, and support the agriculture and environmental sectors.

The programme combines coursework, fieldwork, laboratory work, research projects, and environmental training. Students gain hands-on experience through dryland management practice, rangeland assessment, and water resource management.

Graduates pursue careers as dryland resource managers, rangeland managers, environmental conservation officers, water resource specialists, and agricultural extension officers across government agencies, environmental organizations, agricultural institutions, and development NGOs.

The programme is ideal for students interested in dryland resource management, environmental conservation, rangeland management, water resources, and sustainable agriculture.

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: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Dryland Resource Management
Dryland Ecosystems
Rangeland Management
Water Resources
Dryland Agriculture
Environmental Conservation

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Dryland Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to dryland resource management, covering dryland characteristics, dryland challenges, and approaches to sustainable dryland management.
Dryland Ecosystems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of dryland ecosystems, covering ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity in drylands, and ecological processes in arid and semi-arid regions.
Rangeland Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of rangeland management, covering rangeland ecology, forage management, grazing systems, and rangeland rehabilitation.
Water Resources Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of water resources in drylands, covering water harvesting, water conservation, irrigation, and sustainable water use.
Dryland Agriculture
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of dryland agriculture, covering drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, agricultural practices in arid regions, and food security.
Soil Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of soil management skills, covering soil conservation, soil fertility, land degradation, and soil rehabilitation in drylands.
Climate Change Adaptation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of climate change impacts on drylands, covering adaptation strategies, resilience building, and climate-smart agriculture.
Pastoral Production Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of pastoral production, covering livestock management in drylands, pastoral livelihoods, and pastoral development strategies.
Environmental Conservation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of environmental conservation in drylands, covering biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and environmental restoration.
Community Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of community development in drylands, covering participatory approaches, community-based natural resource management, and livelihood support.
Dryland Resource Management Fieldwork
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical fieldwork where students apply learned methods in dryland management, rangeland assessment, and water resource management.
Dryland Resource Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on dryland resource topic, demonstrating mastery of dryland management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Dryland Agriculture
Focus on drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, and agricultural practices in arid regions. 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.
Water Resources
Specialization in water harvesting, water conservation, and sustainable water use 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.
Rangeland Management
Focus on rangeland ecology, forage management, and grazing systems for rangeland management careers.
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 fieldwork, participate in laboratory work, and engage in environmental practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing importance of dryland management for climate resilience and sustainable development in arid regions.
Opportunity to contribute to environmental conservation and support communities in vulnerable dryland regions.
Fieldwork and laboratory work provide hands-on experience with dryland ecosystems and resource management.

Against it

Dryland work often involves remote locations with challenging environmental conditions.
Dryland resource management requires understanding of complex ecological and socio-economic systems.

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 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
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology/Biological Sciences
C
Chemistry/Physical Sciences
C
Mathematics/Physics/Agriculture/Geography
C
Any Group III subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and resource management exercises throughout the semester evaluating dryland knowledge and practical skills.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on dryland resource topic, demonstrating mastery of dryland management theory and practice.
Fieldwork Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of fieldwork skills, resource management work, and practical applications through dryland management practice and environmental projects.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of dryland ecosystems, rangeland management, and water resources.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

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

5 roles

Rangeland Manager
Medium demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Manage rangelands, coordinate grazing systems, and support rangeland rehabilitation and sustainable livestock production.
Agricultural Extension Officer
High demandKsh 44,000 to Ksh 95,000
Provide agricultural extension services, support farmers in dryland agriculture, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Environmental Conservation Officer
Medium demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 100,000
Support environmental conservation, implement conservation programs, and work in environmental protection and restoration.
Water Resource Specialist
Medium demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage water resources in drylands, implement water harvesting and conservation, and support sustainable water use.
Dryland Resource Manager
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage dryland resources, develop sustainable management strategies, and support environmental conservation in arid regions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in dryland resource management and environmental conservation across Kenya's agriculture and environmental sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for financial modelling, data analysis, accounting worksheets, and business reporting — essential for business graduates.
QuickBooks
SoftwarePrimary
Accounting software widely used by SMEs in Kenya for bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
SAP ERP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software used by large organisations for integrated business management including finance, procurement, and HR modules.
Power BI
Software
Business analytics tool for data visualisation, dashboard creation, and business intelligence reporting.
Microsoft Office Suite
Software
Word processing, presentations, and communication tools essential for business documentation and reporting.