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Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Technology in Agriculture

The Bachelor Of Science In Technology In Agriculture is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in technology in agriculture. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 366,000
Ksh 1,464,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 178,800
Ksh 715,200 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 366,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,464,000 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 16 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

The curriculum covers Agricultural Technology, Farm Mechanization, Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Automation, Sustainable Technology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Agricultural Technology, Farm Machinery, Agricultural Technology Project, Agricultural Automation, Digital Agriculture. 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 Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Automation, Farm Mechanization. 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 Technology In Agriculture pursue careers as Agricultural Technology Consultant, Agricultural Automation Specialist, Farm Mechanization Expert, Agricultural Engineer. 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.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Agricultural Technology
  • Farm Mechanization
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Agricultural Automation
  • Sustainable Technology

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Agricultural Technology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduction to Agricultural Technology: Overview of agricultural technology, mechanization, and precision agriculture. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant...

  • Farm Machinery

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Farm Machinery: Farm equipment, machinery operation, and equipment maintenance. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Precision Agriculture

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Precision Agriculture: Precision farming, GPS technology, and variable rate technology. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.

  • Agricultural Automation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Agricultural Automation: Automated systems, robotics, and smart farming technologies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Irrigation Technology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Irrigation Technology: Irrigation systems, drip irrigation, and smart irrigation technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Post-Harvest Technology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Post-Harvest Technology: Post-harvest handling, storage technology, and processing equipment. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Agricultural Engineering

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Agricultural Engineering: Engineering principles, farm structures, and agricultural infrastructure. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.

  • Digital Agriculture

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Digital Agriculture: Digital tools, farm management software, and data analytics. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.

  • Renewable Energy in Agriculture

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Renewable Energy in Agriculture: Solar energy, biomass energy, and renewable energy applications in agriculture. Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.

  • Agricultural Technology Management

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Agricultural Technology Management: Technology adoption, technology management, and technology transfer. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Sustainable Technology

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Sustainable Technology: Sustainable technology principles, environmental impact, and green technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Agricultural Technology Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Independent project on agricultural technology topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...

Specialisations

  • Precision Agriculture

    Focus on precision farming, GPS technology, and variable rate technology. 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.

  • Agricultural Automation

    Focus on automated systems, robotics, and smart farming technologies. 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.

  • Farm Mechanization

    Specialization in farm equipment, machinery operation, and equipment maintenance. 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 laboratory work, participate in fieldwork on farms, and engage in agricultural technology projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Critical role in modernizing agriculture and improving agricultural productivity.Agricultural technology can be technically demanding and requires continuous learning.
Growing demand for agricultural technology professionals due to agricultural modernization.Technology adoption can be challenging due to cost and farmer acceptance.
Combines engineering with agriculture for comprehensive agricultural understanding.—

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
Public180k to 366k
180k at Egerton University366k at University of Nairobi
Private120k to 179k
120k at Kenya Methodist 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 ~180K/yr, UoN ~366K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KeMU 120K, UEAB 178.8K/yr (ueab.ac.ke).

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

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

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

    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

14 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC+
PhysicsC+
Chemistry/Biology/AgricultureC+
English/KiswahiliC

When it next starts

Taught at 16 institutions
January 202716 institutions

Including Kenya Methodist University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University.

May 202716 institutions

Including Kenya Methodist University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University.

September 202716 institutions

Including Kenya Methodist University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Field Practice Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of field skills in farm mechanization, precision agriculture, and technology implementation.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Exam70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on agricultural technology topic.

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 roles

  • Agricultural Technology Consultant

    Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000

    Provide consulting services on agricultural technology, precision agriculture, and farm mechanization.

  • Agricultural Automation Specialist

    Medium demandKsh 63,000 to Ksh 138,000

    Implement automated systems, manage robotics, and support smart farming.

  • Farm Mechanization Expert

    High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000

    Manage farm machinery, implement mechanization, and ensure equipment efficiency.

  • Agricultural Engineer

    High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Design agricultural systems, implement technology solutions, and support agricultural modernization.

  • Precision Agriculture Specialist

    High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Implement precision farming, manage GPS technology, and optimize agricultural inputs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in agricultural technology, farm mechanization, and precision agriculture across Kenya's agricultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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

Common misconceptions

  • Autosteering technology isn't worth it for experienced drivers

    Autosteering provides significant benefits even for experienced drivers by reducing fatigue, improving accuracy, and allowing operators to focus on other tasks like monitoring equipment performance.

  • Precision agriculture is only for large commercial farms

    While precision agriculture has higher upfront costs, scaled-down solutions exist for smallholder farms. 76% of global food is produced on small farms, making technology integration important for all scales.

  • Smart agriculture is too complex for small farmers

    Smart farming methods are becoming more user-friendly with simplified interfaces and mobile applications. Training and support programs help farmers adopt appropriate technologies.

  • Agricultural technology replaces farmers

    Agricultural technology augments rather than replaces farmers. It helps them make better decisions, improve efficiency, and reduce labor-intensive tasks while maintaining human expertise.

  • Precision agriculture guarantees higher yields

    Precision agriculture optimizes input use and management efficiency, but yields depend on many factors including weather, soil conditions, and crop varieties. It's a tool, not a guarantee.

  • Agricultural technology is too expensive for smallholders

    While some technologies have high costs, many affordable solutions exist including mobile apps, low-cost sensors, and shared equipment models. Cost-benefit analysis shows positive returns for many technologies.

Further reading

Read next