Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Agroforestry

The Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Agroforestry is a programme that prepares students for careers in forest management, agroforestry systems and natural resource conservation. Offered at the University of Eldoret through the School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, the programme equips graduates with skills in sustainable forest management, tree planting and integrated land use systems.

The curriculum covers forest ecology, silviculture, forest mensuration, agroforestry systems, tree improvement, forest protection, watershed management, forest economics, wood science, forest policy and law, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, community forestry, GIS for natural resources, research methods and forest management planning. Students develop both scientific knowledge and practical field skills in forestry and agroforestry.

Kenya's forest cover is below the constitutional target of 10 per cent, and agroforestry is increasingly promoted as a strategy for sustainable land use, food security and climate resilience. The programme responds to the need for forestry professionals who can manage forests, design agroforestry systems and support reforestation and conservation efforts.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, industrial attachment and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in tree identification, forest inventory, nursery management, agroforestry system design and GIS applications through field visits to forests, plantations and agroforestry farms.

Graduates pursue careers as forestry officers, agroforestry extension officers, conservation managers, environmental consultants, nursery managers, carbon project coordinators and research scientists in the Kenya Forest Service, county governments, NGOs, research institutions, timber companies and environmental consulting firms. They can also pursue postgraduate study in forestry, natural resource management or environmental science.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, an interest in nature and the environment, and a commitment to sustainable resource management. The programme is suitable for students passionate about forests, trees and their role in sustainable development.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 307,340
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Forest Ecology
Silviculture
Forest Mensuration and Inventory
Agroforestry Systems
Tree Improvement and Nursery Management
Forest Protection and Health
Watershed Management
Forest Economics and Policy
Biodiversity Conservation
GIS for Natural Resources

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Forestry and Agroforestry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces forestry principles, agroforestry concepts, forest types in Kenya, tree biology and the role of forests in environmental conservation and rural development.
Forest Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers forest ecosystems, ecological interactions, succession, biodiversity, forest-soil relationships and ecological principles for forest management.
Dendrology and Tree Identification
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tree taxonomy, identification of Kenyan tree species, botanical characteristics, distribution and uses of indigenous and exotic tree species.
Silviculture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tree establishment, stand management, thinning, pruning, regeneration methods, nursery practices and silvicultural systems for forest plantations.
Agroforestry Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agroforestry principles, tree-crop-livestock interactions, agroforestry technologies, species selection, system design and management for different ecological zones.
Forest Mensuration and Inventory
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tree measurement, stand volume estimation, forest inventory methods, sampling techniques, growth modelling and forest resource assessment.
Forest Protection and Health
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers forest pests and diseases, fire management, invasive species control, forest protection policies and integrated pest management in forestry.
Forest Economics and Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers forest valuation, cost-benefit analysis, forest economics, Kenyan forest policy and law, community forestry and participatory forest management.
GIS for Natural Resource Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers GIS principles, remote sensing, forest mapping, spatial analysis, land use change detection and GIS applications in forestry and natural resource management.
Watershed Management and Conservation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers watershed hydrology, soil conservation, water resource management, catchment protection and integrated watershed management approaches.
Research Project in Forestry and Agroforestry
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a forestry or agroforestry topic, demonstrating the student's ability to conduct field research and present findings.

Specialisations

Forest Management
Focuses on silviculture, forest planning, timber production and sustainable forest management for careers in the timber industry and forest service.
Agroforestry and Farm Forestry
Specialises in tree-crop integration, agroforestry system design and farmer extension for careers in agricultural extension and rural development.
Conservation and Watershed Management
Focuses on biodiversity conservation, watershed protection and ecosystem restoration for careers in conservation organisations.
Climate Change and Carbon Forestry
Specialises in carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation and carbon credit projects for careers in environmental consulting and carbon markets.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on forest ecology or silviculture, followed by a laboratory session on tree seed testing or soil analysis. Afternoon sessions often involve field practicals in nearby forests or agroforestry demonstration plots, where students practice forest inventory, tree measurement and agroforestry system assessment. Students also work on group projects designing agroforestry interventions for specific farming systems.

The trade offs

In its favour

Forestry and agroforestry are critical for Kenya's environmental conservation and climate change goals, creating growing demand for qualified professionals.
The programme combines field-based learning with scientific analysis, providing a balanced academic and practical experience.
Agroforestry skills are increasingly relevant for sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development in Kenya.

Against it

Forestry work involves extensive field work in remote areas, which can be physically demanding and may require long periods away from urban centres.
Forestry positions in government may have limited advancement opportunities compared to other sectors, with salaries that may be modest.

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 307k

307k at Egerton University307k at Egerton University

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/yr Y1 (KUCCPS educationnewshub). Private unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. Some environmental NGOs and forestry organisations 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: Diploma in Forestry, Agriculture or related field from a recognised institution with distinction or credit and relevant work experience. Diploma holders may join in Year 2 or Year 3.

Biology or Biological Sciences
B-
Mathematics
B-
Chemistry or Physical Sciences or Physics or Geography
B-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering forestry fundamentals, forest ecology and tree identification.
Field Practical Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of field practicals including forest inventory, silvicultural operations, agroforestry system design and nursery management.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at the Kenya Forest Service, KEFRI, an NGO or a forestry company.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on a forestry or agroforestry 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 Eldoret's School of Environmental Sciences and Natural 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 Eldoret's School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Forestry Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages forest resources, enforces forest regulations, supervises planting and harvesting and works with communities on forest conservation.
Agroforestry Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Promotes agroforestry practices among farmers, providing technical advice on tree species selection, system design and management.
Conservation Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages conservation projects for NGOs or government agencies, overseeing reforestation, biodiversity conservation and community programmes.
Carbon Project Coordinator
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Coordinates carbon sequestration projects involving afforestation and reforestation, monitoring carbon stocks and managing carbon credit certification.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as forestry officers, agroforestry extension officers and conservation managers in the Kenya Forest Service, county governments, NGOs and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
ToolPrimary
R
Code

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Forestry is just about planting and cutting trees.
Forestry encompasses forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, watershed management, climate change mitigation, community engagement and sustainable resource management, making it a multidisciplinary environmental science.
Agroforestry is traditional farming with a few trees.
Agroforestry is a science-based approach to integrating trees with crops and livestock, requiring knowledge of tree-crop interactions, soil science, species selection and system design for optimal productivity.
Forestry graduates can only work in forests.
Graduates work in diverse settings including government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, carbon credit projects, environmental consulting firms and international conservation organisations.
Forestry is not relevant in modern Kenya.
Forestry and agroforestry are critical for Kenya's environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, water security and rural livelihoods, with increasing investment in reforestation and green economy initiatives.