Bachelor of Science in Science - Dryland Agriculture and Enterprise Development
This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in dryland agriculture and enterprise development. It develops expertise in dryland farming, drought management, enterprise development, agricultural business, and sustainable dryland agriculture while building comprehensive skills for managing agricultural enterprises in dryland areas.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 324,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 178,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 8 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students analyse dryland agricultural systems, design drought resilience strategies, implement enterprise development plans, evaluate agricultural business performance, conduct dryland research, apply sustainable practices, manage agricultural enterprises, and develop dryland agriculture strategies. They also strengthen analytical thinking, business skills, communication, teamwork, and entrepreneurial abilities.
Kenya's dryland areas require specialized agricultural development to ensure food security, support livelihoods, and manage drought-prone environments, creating demand for professionals who can manage dryland agriculture, develop enterprises, implement resilience strategies, and support dryland development.
The programme combines coursework, fieldwork, enterprise development, farm visits, and research projects. Students gain hands-on experience through dryland farming, enterprise management, and drought resilience activities.
Graduates pursue careers as dryland agriculture specialists, enterprise development officers, agricultural entrepreneurs, extension officers, and dryland development consultants across government agencies, agricultural organizations, NGOs, and the dryland agricultural sector.
The programme is ideal for students interested in dryland agriculture, enterprise development, agricultural business, drought management, and sustainable dryland development.
What you study
6 subjects- Dryland Agriculture
- Enterprise Development
- Drought Management
- Agricultural Business
- Sustainable Dryland Agriculture
- Entrepreneurship
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Dryland Agriculture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of dryland agriculture, dryland environments, and dryland farming principles.
Dryland Crop Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Dryland Crop Production: Dryland crops, crop management, and drought-resistant crop varieties. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Drought Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Drought Management: Drought resilience, water management, and drought coping strategies. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Enterprise Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Enterprise Development: Enterprise planning, business development, and entrepreneurship. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Dryland Livestock Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Dryland Livestock Production: Dryland livestock, animal management, and livestock adaptation to drylands. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Soil and Water Conservation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Soil and Water Conservation: Soil conservation, water harvesting, and dryland soil-water management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Business Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural Business Management: Business management, financial planning, and agricultural economics. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Dryland Farming Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Dryland Farming Systems: Farming systems, integrated farming, and sustainable dryland agriculture. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Marketing and Value Addition
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Agricultural marketing, value addition, and market access. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Climate Smart Agriculture
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Climate Smart Agriculture: Climate-smart practices, adaptation strategies, and resilience building. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Extension and Community Development
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Extension and Community Development: Extension methods, community engagement, and technology transfer. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Dryland Agriculture and Enterprise Development Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Dryland Agriculture and Enterprise Development Project: Independent project on dryland agriculture or enterprise development topic. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and ...
Specialisations
Drought Management
Focus on drought resilience, water management, and drought coping strategies. 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 Crop Production
Focus on dryland crops, crop management, and drought-resistant crop varieties. 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.
Enterprise Development
Specialization in enterprise planning, business development, and entrepreneurship. 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.
A day as a student
Students attend lectures, conduct fieldwork in dryland areas, participate in enterprise development, and engage in agricultural research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Critical role in developing dryland agriculture and supporting food security. | Dryland work can be challenging due to harsh environmental conditions. |
| Growing demand for dryland specialists due to climate change and drought frequency. | Dryland agriculture faces challenges from water scarcity and climate variability. |
| Combines agriculture with enterprise development for comprehensive skills. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture coursesAnnual 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, UoN 324K (KUCCPS/schedule); UEAB 178.8K, Lukenya 86.2K (KUCCPS).
HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Scholarships
4 recordedHigher 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
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Agriculture, Dryland Agriculture, Enterprise Development, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, South Eastern Kenya University, Lukenya University.
Including Kenyatta University, South Eastern Kenya University, Lukenya University.
Including Kenyatta University, South Eastern Kenya University, Lukenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and field 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 dryland agriculture or enterprise development topic.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in dryland farming, enterprise development, and drought management.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesAgricultural Entrepreneur
Medium demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Start and manage agricultural businesses, implement business strategies, and create employment.
Dryland Agriculture Specialist
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage dryland agriculture, implement drought resilience strategies, and support dryland farming.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provide extension services, transfer technology, and support dryland farmers.
Dryland Development Consultant
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Provide consulting services on dryland agriculture, enterprise development, and resilience.
Enterprise Development Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Develop agricultural enterprises, support entrepreneurship, and facilitate business development.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in dryland agriculture, enterprise development, and agricultural business across Kenya's dryland agricultural sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Agroecological Farming SpecialistAgriculture13Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Dryland farming cannot be productive
Dryland farming can be highly productive with appropriate techniques, drought-resistant crops, and soil management. Many dryland farmers achieve good yields through adapted practices.
Irrigation is the only solution for dryland agriculture
While irrigation can help, it's not always feasible or sustainable. Rainfed dryland agriculture with water conservation techniques can be effective and more sustainable.
Drylands are barren and lifeless
Drylands support diverse ecosystems and livelihoods. With proper management, they can be productive and resilient agricultural areas.
Drought means total crop failure
Drought-resistant crops, soil moisture conservation, and drought preparedness can significantly reduce drought impacts. Many crops can survive with minimal water.
Dryland agriculture requires less skill than irrigated farming
Dryland farming often requires more skill and knowledge due to the need for precise timing, soil management, and risk management strategies.
Enterprise development is not possible in drylands
Many successful enterprises operate in dryland areas through value addition, drought-resilient products, and innovative business models adapted to local conditions.